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A Complete Guide To RV Vent Covers

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

top of an RV with RV vent covers
Vent covers provide airflow throughout your RV

A Complete Guide To RV Vent Covers

RV vent covers perform multiple jobs for your RV. They allow airflow in and out of your RV and help prevent rain from entering. Here is everything you need to know about RV vent covers and how to install them.

Functions of RV vent covers

RVs have improved and become more sophisticated over the years. RV vent covers have done the same. In most cases, the vent cover is part of the ceiling fan assembly, although there are some that are just that – a cover.

An RV vent cover is designed to… well, cover the vent in the roof. Depending on the model, drawing air out of the RV along with moisture from bathrooms and kitchens is its main function. The ability to also pull fresh air into your RV is an option on some units. The plastic cover itself is needed to prevent rain from entering and to seal up the vent when not in use.

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The standard size RV vent cover is 14″ square and is mounted to the roof of your RV. The bathroom will most likely have one and in some RVs, a second one may be mounted in another area as well. Vent covers are a very popular RV upgrade.

Types of RV vent covers

Plastic is the most widely used material for vent covers. Solid colors available are white and black to match your RV. For a transparent cover that lets light in, there are clear, smoked, and blue options.

The basic vent cover is a hinged cover with a manual hand crank to open and close it. Some are available without a fan but most will include a fan assembly. The most basic models will have a one-way fan that draws air out of the RV.

The option of a two-way fan that can draw air both in or out of the RV will be available on some models. Along with multi-directional fans for better airflow, multi-speed fans are also available as opposed to a single-speed fan.

The options continue from there with vent covers that include full-size fans that draw significantly more air, open and close by remote, and have rain sensors that will close even if you’re not home.

On base models, the 14″ vent cover is accompanied by a much smaller 4-6″ fan, however, on better models, a full-size fan that utilizes the entire opening is used. More expensive models often include a design that allows the vent to be in an open and operating position even during rainy weather.

replacing an RV vent cover
Upgrading RV vent cover

Price of RV vent covers

Depending on the model you are interested in, the price varies greatly for RV vent covers.

Manufacturers use the most basic type of vent covers on cheaper models and this is something people often pay to upgrade at some point. As for the more expensive RVs, they often come equipped with the more costly but higher quality vent covers.

It is possible that you will want to upgrade or add additional vent covers to your RV so you have a few options for vent covers.

  • Just need a basic vent cover with no fan for basic ventilation? Or perhaps just the plastic cover is broken? Costs will be very reasonable and as low as $50.
  • A basic manual-operated single-speed, single-direction RV vent cover can be purchased for under $100.
  • Full-size fan, multi-speed, and multi-direction upgraded vent covers are worth the extra money for approximately $150.
  • Remote-controlled, rain-sensing, temperature-controlled, top-end models can become quite expensive with prices going up from $200.

Installation of RV vent covers

So you have decided to upgrade your current RV vent cover or maybe you want to add an additional one.

Being mounted to the roof means there is a critical seal between the vent cover and roof of your RV. Caution must be taken to properly install and seal the new or replacement vent cover. A leak in the roof of your RV is not something you want to deal with.

The process of installing a new vent cover is more involved and warrants an entire article of its own. Upgrading an existing vent cover is a more manageable task and is detailed in the video below.


Having proper airflow and humidity control in your RV is an important task performed by RV vent covers. Along with this, they help provide sunlight and comfort to your indoor space.

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