When you go camping in your RV, there are so many things that you must remember:
- Did you lock the fridge?
- Did you turn off the propane?
- Did you secure cabinets and drawers?
- Did you close the roof vents?
You may be wondering if RV vent covers are even necessary. The truth is, they’re not really a requirement- but they do have plenty of benefits. In this article, we’ll explore some of those.
RV vent covers are one of the cheapest modifications you can make to your RV- plus, they’re super easy to install. These should be on the “must-have” list of every RV owner because they make your RV more comfortable, decrease the humidity, and even keep the rain out.
Why Do RVs Have Roof Vents?
While it’s true that RV manufacturers do everything they can to keep water out, this process also keeps moisture from cooking, showering, and even breathing inside the RV so, they added roof vents to improve air circulation.
A basic roof vent is one that you can simply open and close. However, in some cases, the roof vent may also include a fan- but why? The reason is to improve circulation within the RV.
Improved Air Circulation
An RV is your home away from home and- just like the air inside your home, the air in an RV will become stale if you don’t have circulation. If you don’t have air circulation, the humidity increases and your home is susceptible to mold growth.
However, a roof vent can be opened up to let out the bad air and let in the good- whether it has a fan or not. Sure, opening the door will do the same thing- but you don’t want to leave your door wide open if you decide to leave your campsite. You can leave your roof vents open though.
Additionally, if you store your RV during the off-season, you can leave your vents cracked open to avoid mildew and other damage from humidity accumulation.
Gets Bad Odors Out
Day-to-day life can cause odors to build up even once you remove the source, the smell remains for a few days. However, a vent with a fan can help force those odors out.
As mentioned, opening your doors and windows can help get rid of nasty odors as well- but if it’s wintertime, it also lets the cold air in. However, if you have a vent with a fan, it forces the odors out much quicker without letting in too much cold air.
Brings In Cool Air
An RV can get really warm, really quick- especially if you’re sitting out in the sun. A roof vent can solve that problem by letting in some of the fresh air from outside. While you can run your generator so that you can run your AC, that’s not always conducive to a relaxing campsite, as they are typically noisy.
Gets Rid Of Humidity
Humidity is terrible for an RV- it can cause mold to grow and create a variety of other issues. Most people think that cooking and showering are the primary causes of humidity in an RV. While this is true to a certain extent, breathing also causes humidity.
The best way to fix this issue is to open up your roof vents and your door to allow the humidity to escape. Of course, if you have a vent with a fan, you won’t even have to open the door. The fan will suck that air right out.
So, now that we know the benefits of roof vents in your RV, let’s talk more about roof vent covers.
What Do They Do?
A roof vent cover is a plastic cover that goes on the roof vent of your RV. You’re probably wondering if there’s really a reason to have them. These covers have no effect on the operations of your RV- but they can make a big difference in how you use your RV when you’re traveling.
Vents Can Remain Open When Traveling
If you’ve been traveling in an RV for any length of time, you’ve probably forgotten to close your roof vents before taking off. If you haven’t, you probably will at some point. This may not be a problem- unless it rains or you end up traveling against the wind. If it’s raining, the rain can get into the RV and if you are traveling against the wind, it can cause the vent to bend so far that it won’t close.
However, if you have roof vent covers, you don’t have to worry about this. The cover will block any wind and rain, so you have one less thing to worry about when you’re driving down the road.
Prevent Damage
Roof vent covers are made of sturdy plastic that can withstand the impact of hail, low hanging branches, or falling objects. If you don’t have roof vent covers, your roof vent lids can easily be damaged by any of these.
Allow You To Leave Vents Open During Wind/Rain
If you are in the South, those summertime thundershowers can cause humidity to spike up quickly. If you are camping and you don’t have vent covers, you risk letting the rain in if you open your vents. However, if you do have vent covers, you can open your vents to allow air to circulate and discourage humidity buildup.
Bottom Line
Roof vent covers for your RV may not be necessary, but they are very beneficial. There are so many things that could happen if your roof vent lids get damaged. If you take the time to install roof vent covers, you’ll find that it’s well worth it.
