Bedroom Fan Install

[phinner]

We have a 2012 Cougar 28SGS and we'd like to install a FanTastic Fan in the bedroom. Has anyone here done this? We've tried getting some info from Keystone (joist location, distance on center, etc) but they're pretty much zero help. I have discovered the joists are 16" apart and I have a good idea where they are located. I'm just looking for a little verification before I take a saw to the roof. I know I can pull power from the light in the bedroom. FYI - no 2nd AC advise. Mama already whines when the TV volume is at a gnat's fart level. AC noise is totally out.

[MarkEHansen]

Won't a stud finder show where the studs/joists are?

[phinner]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

Won't a stud finder show where the studs/joists are?

That was my next option, Mark. But, I don't always trust them. Most of the time, yeah, but there have been those times.

[MarkEHansen]

Uhh, given how these units are built, you're going to have to rely on the stud finder. If anyone else has the same trailer, even the same year, you're not guaranteed the wood is going to be in the same place.

Good luck.

[MerlinB]

Don't you already have a ceiling vent in the bedroom? I have a 2016 28SGS and there is a ceiling vent and a light fixture close by where 12 volt power could easily be reached. If I were going to install a Fantastic Fan I would remove the vent and install it in that hole.

[JRTJH]

The 2014 Cougar XLite fifth wheels have vents in the forward bedroom. The 2012 and older do not. The 2013's had vents in the models with a roadside closet slide, did not have vents in those models with a curbside slide or in those with no slide in the forward bedroom.

We looked at a couple of 2013's when we were shopping for this trailer, and that was one of the features we did not like. With no window on the slide side, having the ceiling vent was/is a requirement for any cross ventilation in the bedroom.

[MerlinB]

Wow! That's new to me. I personally have never seen a fifth wheel that didn't have a ceiling vent in the forward bedroom area.

Learn something new every day. Thanks for the info.

[travelin texans]

I'd recommend the Maxxair can over the Fantastic Fan. Our 5er came with a MA fan in the kitchen & bedroom with switches on the wall, but had the cheapo FF over the toilet with no switch & had to manually open it, changed out immediately to the MA.

[Pull Toy]

Just a thought...

Before you cut holes, consider the noise level of a ceiling vent fan. Personally, I would not be able to deal with the droning noise in a bedroom. Maybe a vent fan somewhere else, and a window opened in the bedroom.

Good Luck,

[roadglide]

I got 2 fans that plug in with nice sturdy clamps they work grate w for moving hot air from the ceiling wile useing the A.C.. I have solar and can run the fans all night with out dropping my 3 AGM batteries volts. wallmart fans

[Roscommon48]

Unless you are a skilled person I'd suggest that if you are going to do this get a dealer to install one.


If you are going that far I'd add another A/C unit in the bedroom and not just a fan.


Just my two cents.

[phinner]

Originally Posted by MerlinB

Wow! That's new to me. I personally have never seen a fifth wheel that didn't have a ceiling vent in the forward bedroom area.



Learn something new every day. Thanks for the info.

Lol! I know, right? Well, it is a vintage 2012 RV. [emoji16] We had an '05 before this one and it had a FF in the bedroom. The fan isn't really for cooling per se - just to get some circulation in the bedroom. There's one window in there now - the popout escape window. But nothing to get a cross wind going.

Thanks, JRTJH, for the explanation. Kind of makes some sense. The 2012's seem to be the "test" version of the 28SGS. Options became standards after that year. We did add the fireplace about 3 years ago. Love that and it heats the trailer pretty good.

We did go out and look more at the ceiling yesterday - stud finder in hand. We located the joists and decided where to locate the fan. We have the fan already or I might have considered the MaxxAir. Either one is acceptable. The ceiling's low enough in the bedroom that we don't really need the wall switch or a remote.

Saturday, we're swapping the 13.5K AC for a 15K version. All the ducts have been fixed and taped up. Surprisingly, quite a bit of flow loss as it sat. That along with the bedroom fan should make a noticable difference. Hopefully, I can squeeze the fan in on the weekend, too. We had thought about moving the 13.5K to the bedroom, but just too much noise.

The jobs shouldn't be that difficult. I've built and remodelled houses with my GC brother for years. RVs seem a lot different than a house, though.

[RudiH]

What is the size of your fan in the bathroom? Mine was one of the very small ones that doesn't draw out much air at all. I replaced it with a large Fantastic fan and now it pulls a lot of air, depending on the doors or windows you have open or closed. To put the fan in the bathroom is better for several reasons. Less noise in the bedroom, draws more moisture from the bathroom, and is just as effective as if you have it in the bedroom by closing or opening certain areas doors and windows. You also have the wiring right there.

[phinner]

I ended up cutting the hole in the bedroom. Thinking about how I wanted to approach it and measuring things took the bulk of the install time. I pulled the power from an adjacent light fixture. Sealed it up with butyl tape, Eternabond, and some Dicor. Works great. We're thinking of replacing the bath fan and the LR vent with Fantastic Fans, too.

We did replace the 13.5K AC with a 15K, resealed all the duct work and the "plenum," and swapped out the vents with adjustable ones. It's like a completely new cooling system. We can actually feel the cold air blowing on us while laying in the bed. [emoji106][emoji3063] It'll get a true test next week when we take it out in the 103°-105° weather. We'll let you know how things go.

[RudiH]

Bruce & Tami - I noticed from the picture of your rig, that you seem to be towing high in the front. If so, how much are you out of level and have you had any problems? I’v been dealing with the same issue with our new truck and 5th wheel.
Nice job on the install of the vent and A/C!

[phinner]

Originally Posted by RudiH

Bruce & Tami - I noticed from the picture of your rig, that you seem to be towing high in the front. If so, how much are you out of level and have you had any problems? I’v been dealing with the same issue with our new truck and 5th wheel.
Nice job on the install of the vent and A/C!

Thanks, Rudi. I think the picture makes it look worse than it really is. That part of the road has a slight upward grade, but it is a hair out of level but we can't level it much more and still keep a safe distance between the bed rails and the trailer. Right now, we're at about 6.5". We use an Anderson hitch and the ball is dropped to the lowest setting.





The old truck was pretty level, but the same shot makes it look a little off. That was a 2WD truck, so it sat a little lower than the new 4WD.





I haven't had any issues with it so far. We've only gone out with this truck twice so far. I have thought about it when thinking of going to the 20" OEM wheels and tires from the 18" that's on it now. I guess there's not a ton of stuff we can do unless we want to lift the trailer slightly. Have you done anything to try and level yours?

[RudiH]

My trailer already had the axles moved above the springs. My truck is several inches higher than most. In addition, where Ford has placed the holes in the frame, makes it necessary for me to use an adapter underneath the hitch. All this raises my trailer I have no more options. The truck can’t be lowered either. Yes