Do you wake up to a stuffy camper interior? Can't comfortably use your bathroom because "personal" odours spread to other spaces? It might be time to install a MaxxFan Dome Exhaust Vent in your van.
As a modern exhaust vent, it features a built-in low-voltage fan that efficiently expels humid air, fumes and odours from your adventure vehicle, outperforming natural ventilation. The fan operates on just 0.7 amps, drawing minimal power from your battery.
It's also easy to operate and simple to install, as the package comes with instructions and various mounting components β all of which we'll cover in this quick guide.
What Is the MaxxFan Dome Exhaust Vent?
Life in a campervan, caravan, RV or motorhome can be challenging without the right accessories. This 12V exhaust vent is one of those must-have accessories that enhances comfort during your van-life adventures.
As the name suggests, it's a specialised ventilation system with a built-in 12V fan designed to improve air quality inside your adventure vehicle. It's manufactured by MaxxAir, a global leader in motorhome ventilation, joining their innovative lineup that includes roof vent covers and the popular "Deluxe" fan boxes seen on many adventure vehicles.
The MaxxFan Dome is ideal for improving airflow in compact spaces like bathrooms, showers and kitchens in small vans or motorhomes. Its compact 6-inch design allows flexible mounting on either the roof or sidewall of your camper, while the exterior features a fan guard that doubles as a rain cover, ensuring high-quality airflow even in wet conditions.
For sidewall installations, we provide an optional rain shield to prevent water seepage. While this shield can also be used for rooftop installations, it's typically unnecessary unless your vehicle has a downward-sloping roof.
Why Install a 12V Exhaust Fan in Your Caravan or Campervan?
The primary purpose of this exhaust vent is to improve the air quality inside your camper for extra comfort and functionality. Here are the four ways it achieves this.
Moisture Control
The built-in fan efficiently expels humid air generated by activities like showering or cooking, reducing condensation and preventing mould or mildew, which can damage your interior.
Better Indoor Air Quality
Cooking mishaps, such as burning a steak β or even accidentally activating a smoke machine inside your RV β can fill the interior with unpleasant fumes. Without proper ventilation, these linger until you open every window, door and vent. With the MaxxFan Dome, you can quickly clear the air at the press of a button, ensuring a fresher indoor environment.
Odour Removal
Unpleasant odours, such as those from an onboard toilet, can detract from the enjoyment of your adventure vehicle. The vent's powerful fan rapidly removes these odours, keeping your living space fresh and comfortable.
General Air Circulation
While this vent does not have an air intake function, it excels at removing hot or stale air from your camper, helping maintain a cooler, more comfortable interior. Even when closed, the vent can circulate air, eliminating hot and cold spots, reducing stuffiness and enhancing overall comfort.
MaxxFan Dome Features, Setup and Real-World Capabilities
This vent is a highly recommended accessory among caravanning and RV communities, top motorhome builders and, of course, a dealer like us. But what makes it stand out in real-world applications, beyond the glossy promotional videos? Let's see.
What's Included in the Box
- MaxxFan Dome Fan Unit: The core component, featuring a built-in fan that expels moisture, fumes and odours. It includes fan control buttons, an opening/closing handle, a bug screen and a fan guard that doubles as a rain cover.
- Garnish Ring: An interior trim piece that covers the gap between the fan's cut-out and the vehicle's ceiling or wall for a clean, professional finish.
- Interior Sleeve: An extension piece for connecting the garnish ring to the fan unit, used when the roof or wall is thicker than 1 inch.
- Rain Shield: An additional cover that mounts around the fan unit for sidewall or sloped rooftop installations, preventing water from seeping through gaps when the vent is open.
- Installation Components: Mounting screws, wiring splices and detailed installation instructions for easy setup.
Design and Styling
The vent is designed for practicality and aesthetics. Its compact size requires only a 6.25-inch diameter cutout for installation, and its low-profile design measures approximately 2.4 inches (6.1 cm) when closed and 3.625 inches (9.2 cm) when open β so you can even mount it under your solar panel rack.
True to its name, it features a sleek, domed structure that looks stylish whether mounted on a rooftop or sidewall. It's available in two versatile finishes:
The only difference between the two models is the colour of the fan guard/rain cover, letting you choose a finish that seamlessly matches your vehicle's exterior. Previously, owners of the white model often resorted to spray-painting it black for a cohesive look, but the black option now eliminates this need.
Construction
Crafted from heavy-duty plastic, the unit is built to withstand harsh conditions. Its robust material is highly resistant to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, making it ideal for external mounting on rooftops or sidewalls, even under Australia's scorching sun.
How Do You Install It?
Installation is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for DIY enthusiasts. The kit includes all necessary components and mounting hardware, so you only need a drill with bits, a hole saw, a screwdriver, butyl caulk and silicone sealant. Then:
- Choose an appropriate spot on your camper's rooftop or sidewall for the exhaust vent.
- Measure and cut a hole with a minimum diameter of 6.25 inches. Smooth the edges with a file and apply rust-resistant paint to prevent corrosion.
- Apply a continuous strip of butyl caulk to the underside of the fan unit's flange (the rim where the screw holes are drilled). Insert the fan unit into the prepared hole, ensuring the two integrated terminal leads are fed inside the camper.
- Fasten the fan unit to the camper's surface (roof or sidewall) using the provided screws.
- Remove any excess butyl caulk that squeezes out during installation. Then apply silicone sealant along the outer edge of the flange and over the mounting screws to ensure a watertight seal.
- If mounting on a sidewall or sloped rooftop, consider installing the optional rain shield for added protection against water ingress.
- Finally, go back inside your camper and connect the fan's terminal leads to a fused circuit. Secure the garnish ring with the provided screws to cover the cut-out gap, giving the installation a polished, professional appearance.
Power Requirements
This is a 12-volt accessory that operates efficiently on your camper's 12V DC power supply (minimum 2 amps). That low power requirement makes it far more energy-efficient than bulky AC-powered air conditioners, which often require an inverter. You can power the fan using one of these methods:
- Hardwiring: Wire the fan directly to your camper's 12V electrical system via battery busbars, a fuse panel, or by splicing into another device's wiring.
- Plug-and-play connection: Connect to a 12V DC socket, such as a cigarette lighter outlet or USB-C output.
For consistent, reliable performance, we recommend hardwiring the fan to your camper's electrical system. Don't forget to include a fuse in the circuit to protect against overcurrent and other electrical issues.
Real-World Performance
Once powered, operation is simple: open the lid by pressing the integrated handle's button, then activate the fan with the built-in power button to start expelling air.
While MaxxAir is the most premium brand out there for campervan and motorhome ventilation systems, they rarely get into the "techy" details about their products. However, the 6-inch diameter fan is sufficient for camper spaces like bathrooms or kitchens β in our test, it cleared thick smoke from a bathroom in under five minutes.
The fan also features a fine mesh screen to keep bugs out of your camper when the lid is open, ensuring a comfortable, pest-free environment.
How Much Power Does It Draw?
This vent is highly energy-efficient, making it ideal for off-grid camping. While it requires a minimum input of 12V @ 2A, our tests show it draws only 0.7 amps during operation. Running the fan for 10 hours consumes just 7 amp-hours (0.7 amps Γ 10 hours) β a decent battery drain while off-grid.
Noise Levels
As a modern fan designed especially for campervans and motorhomes, it operates quietly, producing only a gentle hum audible when nearby. This low noise level ensures undisturbed sleep, making it ideal for night-time use.
Weather-Resistant Operation
Built for all-weather performance, the integrated fan guard doubles as a rain cover, creating a watertight seal when the lid is closed and eliminating the need for a separate cover. The optional rain shield provides additional protection against rainfall for sidewall or sloped rooftop installations. The body is also constructed from durable, UV-resistant plastic for long-term durability under harsh sunlight.
Regular Maintenance
Maintenance is simple: clean the unit with water and mild detergent, as you would any fan. The fine mesh screen can be removed for thorough cleaning β just remember to reinstall it afterwards.
Note: MaxxAir advises against using strong solvents, either in sealants or cleaners, on this exhaust vent, as "they can damage the flange". Stick to mild detergents to preserve the unit's integrity.
Is the MaxxFan Dome Exhaust Vent Worth Having in Your Campervan?
Yes β it's a valuable addition to any campervan, caravan or motorhome. It improves airflow by removing stale air, moisture, cooking fumes and odours, creating a more comfortable living space. However, consider the following limitations when deciding if it suits your needs:
- Exhaust-only operation: The fan expels air but cannot draw fresh air into the camper.
- Single-speed mode: The fan operates at one speed, controlled solely by the built-in button.
- Designed for small spaces: The fan is optimised for compact areas, making it less suitable for larger vehicles unless you use multiple units.
If these features are critical for your adventure vehicle, you may want to explore a more advanced option, such as the MaxxFan Deluxe roof fan, which offers greater versatility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much power does the MaxxFan Dome use?
It requires a minimum 12V @ 2A supply, but in our tests it drew only 0.7 amps during operation β about 7 amp-hours over 10 hours of continuous use.
What size cutout does it need?
Installation requires a hole with a minimum diameter of 6.25 inches. The low-profile unit measures approximately 2.4 inches (6.1 cm) when closed and 3.625 inches (9.2 cm) when open.
Does it bring fresh air into the van?
No. It's an exhaust-only vent β it expels humid, stale or smoky air but cannot draw fresh air in. Even when closed, though, it can circulate air to reduce stuffiness.
Can it be mounted on a sidewall?
Yes. Its compact 6-inch design allows mounting on either the roof or sidewall. For sidewall or sloped-roof installations, the optional rain shield prevents water seepage when the vent is open.
Ready to freshen up your van's bathroom or kitchen? Shop the MaxxFan Dome with sleeve (white) at Campervan Builders today and breathe easier on your next off-grid adventure.
