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Old 10-06-2016, 07:19 PM   #1
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omitting A/C and replacing it with a second fan

I'm considering the idea of replacing the passive vent that comes by default on the 17b with a Fantastic Vent on my build sheet. I know a lot of people would say to just get the A/C, but on the 17b the ceiling is fairly low compared to bigger trailers, and I find the A/C cuts into my headroom too much for me to want it. Also, I'm in the Pacific Northwest where temperatures are often tolerable without an A/C.

The potential benefits:
1) Operating the Fantastic Vent together with the MaxxFan in the same direction should lead to almost double the airflow, I think, hopefully lowering the temperature inside a few extra degrees.
2) The default vent (Ventline I think) seems low quality to me. There is a fairly large hole in the bug netting to allow the crank to connect to the lid. This seems like a great place for Mosquitoes to enter.
3) Possibly, since the Fantastic Vent pushes air more directly upwards, it might consume less power per CFM than the MaxxFan which directs air downwards/sideways.

Admittedly, these are minor benefits, but the cost is only $100 or so for the fan, and I plan to use the trailer for many years.

What do you think? Would you want additional airflow in your trailer on a hot day when A/C isn't available?
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Old 10-06-2016, 07:27 PM   #2
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I know Escape will install another MaxxFan but I do not think they will do the Fantastic Fan option. The MaxxFan is much nicer than the Fantastic and has the built in rain guard. Either way, it is your unit and your choice. The nice thing about a/c is the digital thermostat which also operates the heat. The MaxxFan has it's own thermostat.
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Old 10-06-2016, 07:28 PM   #3
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Depends on where you will travel with this trailer. I would never omit the A/C as I travel the South and Southwest. Should you decide not to install it, my advice is to have the rig wired for A/C so the next owner will not be put off by the cost to install it.
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Old 10-06-2016, 07:37 PM   #4
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I have no A/C and one MaxxFan. I think the one MaxxFan and various opening windows are sufficient. Just open a window near you and switch the MaxxFan to Out. Draws air in from the window, across you, and up and out the vent. If you need more breeze, you can clip a 12V portable fan to the window.
Not sure why you think the MaxxFan would move air in that small space in any appreciably different way than Fantastic. Everything I've read said MaxxFan is superior.
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Old 10-06-2016, 07:50 PM   #5
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The ventline vent is pure junk IMHO, doesn't move much air, and is quite noisy. If you're nixing the AC, I would get a 2nd Maxx Fan. They work very well, and are very quiet.

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Old 10-06-2016, 08:59 PM   #6
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A second basic MaxxFan is something I am considering on my 5.0 TA because the location where the A/C won't be is right over the kitchen area. I would then use it instead of the kitchen exhaust fan.
I will also have the deluxe smoke cover MaxxFan in the normal area farther up front.

Escape requires that the trailer be wired for A/C and cuts the hole. I inquired about not having the hole cut out but that isn't an option.
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Old 10-06-2016, 09:35 PM   #7
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I'm in Oregon and have used my AC in my Casita more than I expected. I'm assuming the same for the on order Escape. All I have to do is drive 2 hr west and be in the high desert. So if not for you. consider resale even in the NW. Maybe OR is hotter than WA?
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Old 10-06-2016, 09:37 PM   #8
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Change that to 2 hr east. Can't go 2 hr west.
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Old 10-06-2016, 09:53 PM   #9
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I would think a fiberglass trailer would float. You can go 2 hrs west. You just need a big tug.
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Old 10-06-2016, 09:56 PM   #10
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I would think a fiberglass trailer would float. You can go 2 hrs west. You just need a big tug.
Especially if you have the spray foam insulation on the bottom. Might need to fill the grey and white tanks for ballast though.
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Old 10-06-2016, 10:03 PM   #11
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Definitely keep the A/C option open, if not for yourself, for a buyer. Include the digital thermostat.
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Old 10-06-2016, 10:11 PM   #12
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And oars out the windows?
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Old 10-06-2016, 10:17 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandomary View Post
Change that to 2 hr east. Can't go 2 hr west.
I wondered about that.......lol
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Old 10-06-2016, 10:20 PM   #14
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Airxcel | AC, Heating & Appliances for Industrial and Personal Use

There is a MaxxFan Plus and MaxxFan Deluxe. I believe the Plus is the standard one Escape installs and for $100 or $125. you can upgrade to the Deluxe which directs the air up, over and sort of down. I am thinking of the Plus in place of the A/C and the Deluxe where the MaxxFan is normally located.
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Old 10-06-2016, 11:11 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by SFDavis50 View Post
Airxcel | AC, Heating & Appliances for Industrial and Personal Use

There is a MaxxFan Plus and MaxxFan Deluxe. I believe the Plus is the standard one Escape installs and for $100 or $125. you can upgrade to the Deluxe which directs the air up, over and sort of down. I am thinking of the Plus in place of the A/C and the Deluxe where the MaxxFan is normally located.
I'm pretty sure that the default MaxxFan is the Deluxe. The upgrade on the build sheet is for adding a remote. More details:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/maxfan-7767.html
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Old 10-06-2016, 11:16 PM   #16
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Especially if you have the spray foam insulation on the bottom. Might need to fill the grey and white tanks for ballast though.
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Old 10-06-2016, 11:17 PM   #17
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Never understood the remote. I'd walk further trying to figure out where I left it.
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Old 10-06-2016, 11:24 PM   #18
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Definitely keep the A/C option open, if not for yourself, for a buyer. Include the digital thermostat.
Yes, definitely planning on keeping the A/C option open for a future buyer, or even myself if I later decide that it was a terrible idea not to include it.

I do have another backup plan of eventually putting in one of the 5000 BTU Frigidaire A/C units where the Microwave is often put, but I haven't threshed that one out yet.
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Old 10-06-2016, 11:27 PM   #19
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Yes, definitely planning on keeping the A/C option open for a future buyer, or even myself if I later decide that it was a terrible idea not to include it.

I do have another backup plan of eventually putting in one of the 5000 BTU Frigidaire A/C units where the Microwave is often put, but I haven't threshed that one out yet.
Interesting idea. That could be made to work, although the mini-split heat pump idea (another thread) sounds even better.
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Old 10-06-2016, 11:31 PM   #20
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Never understood the remote. I'd walk further trying to figure out where I left it.
Me too. I can see a remote being useful on one of those big class A RVs where the ceiling is 8 feet high, but it seems like overkill on an Escape, at least to me.
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