Maxxfan-Broken lifting arm

[rubicon327]

Noticed upon return from a camping trip a couple weeks ago that the metal lifting arm (#13 in attachment) on the Maxxfan model 5100K broke. It sheared off right at the attachment to the horizontal shaft as indicated by the red circle on the pdf. I do recall a good bang when we were camping, but thought it might have been a branch or something hitting the roof since it was windy and we were under trees. It was probably when this broke. Since it is under pressure from the spring (#15) the force was enough that the broken piece of the arm went upward and cracked the white plastic lid enough to see daylight. Hopefully this was just an anomaly and no one else experiences this issue. This lifter arm is the same across all models of the Deluxe Maxxfan with manual (5100K/6200K models) or electric lift (7000K/7500K models).

The fan still works, but since this is 7 years old anyway I'm going to replace. I want the smoke lid to match the vent I put in when I removed the overhead A/C so I ordered a new 6200K model. Same exact functionality as the 5100K model. Shouldn't need to do any roof work since the new fan should slide into the existing roof flange assembly which is common across all models.

[rubicon327]

Installed the new MaxxFan last night. Very easy installation. Reused the roof flange assembly and interior garnish ring. Wired the fan, dropped it in and secured with 4 screws. Love the smoke cover.

The only difference I noticed is that the newer roof flange has a groove with a gasket that the fan would sit in. Since we have never had a problem and weren't in the mood for roof work we did not replace the flange. We will hold onto the flange if it ever needs replacing.

[NW Cat Owner]

Did you have to get up on the roof to do any of that work? I've been told to not put any weight on the roof, which has me rather concerned for when I need to put 303 on the plastic bits up there.

Yes, I know you would not have stood on the roof, but I'm wondering about leaning on it. Or was all the work done from inside the trailer?

Thanks

[nathanj04011]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

I've been told to not put any weight on the roof, which has me rather concerned for when I need to put 303 on the plastic bits up there.

I mentioned this to Laura already, but to put that magical 303 stuff on the AC hood and the Maxx Fan cover, I use a Quickie brand microfiber dust mop, liberally apply the 303 and then proceed to "dust" off the parts. I do that from a ladder.



https://www.lowes.com/pd/Quickie-Cle...st-Mop/3178771

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Did you have to get up on the roof to do any of that work? I've been told to not put any weight on the roof, which has me rather concerned for when I need to put 303 on the plastic bits up there.

Yes, I know you would not have stood on the roof, but I'm wondering about leaning on it. Or was all the work done from inside the trailer?

Thanks

Laura: I was up on the roof along the passenger side of the fan but had to lean across to the driver's side screws and to do the wiring connection. I was kneeling and the roof does give as you move toward the center so I stayed along the edge as much as possible where it was stronger. I am 200 lbs +/-. If someone is on a ladder and leaning with only partial weight on the roof there would be no problem at all.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by nathanj04011

I mentioned this to Laura already, but to put that magical 303 stuff on the AC hood and the Maxx Fan cover, I use a Quickie brand microfiber dust mop, liberally apply the 303 and then proceed to "dust" off the parts. I do that from a ladder.

Yep, still got that email. Thanks for the reminder, Nathan.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Laura: I was up on the roof along the passenger side of the fan but had to lean across to the driver's side screws and to do the wiring connection. I was kneeling and the roof does give as you move toward the center so I stayed along the edge as much as possible where it was stronger. I am 200 lbs +/-. If someone is on a ladder and leaning with only partial weight on the roof there would be no problem at all.

Another person who finds the Little Giant ladder perfect for working on the trailer.

I made a padded platform for mine that fits on the two top rungs. I can kneel on that and reach to the center of the roof without putting any weight on the roof. The ladder is one of the few that's stable enough to do that.

Ron

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Laura: I was up on the roof along the passenger side of the fan but had to lean across to the driver's side screws and to do the wiring connection. I was kneeling and the roof does give as you move toward the center so I stayed along the edge as much as possible where it was stronger. I am 200 lbs +/-. If someone is on a ladder and leaning with only partial weight on the roof there would be no problem at all.

Keep an eye on those areas for spider cracking in the near future. That is exactly the pattern we had on the roof of our prior 17b. It appeared the owner or some service person had kneed their way along the roof and it eventually led to about 10+ spider cracks. The layup on these is thin.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Another person who finds the Little Giant ladder perfect for working on the trailer.

Ron,

Which model and length of the Little Giant Ladder did you get? Would you get that same model and length again? And if not, what model and length would you prefer instead? Thanks, Dale

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by Greg A

Keep an eye on those areas for spider cracking in the near future. That is exactly the pattern we had on the roof of our prior 17b. It appeared the owner or some service person had kneed their way along the roof and it eventually led to about 10+ spider cracks. The layup on these is thin.

So it sounds like if I ever have a need to reach towards the middle and had to get on the edge of the roof that I should throw a piece of carpet foam down and a piece of plywood on top of that. Just like installing panels on the roof of a greenhouse.