Adding a vent to a fiberglass topper/shell?

[Martinjmpr]

Anyone ever added a vent to a fiberglass topper/shell? Just wondering how easily/cheaply it can be done. Would be nice when sleeping in the back of the truck to have some way to vent other than opening the side windows.

The only vents I've seen have been the big ugly RV type vents, I'm hoping there may be something out there that's smaller and more streamlined that could work.

 

[ntsqd]

Perhaps something like what the older Stockland bed shells had?
Note the little scoop forward of the side window on the shell. They have a single stud through the shell wall that allowed any orientation, and on the inside was a small piece of rectangular fiberglass that could be rotated to open or close the port holes.

 

[Carlyle]

For a little more cash you could add a ICP solar fan, they are slick and will work in that application.

 

[kcowyo]

Zapp, I have recently noticed here in town, a Tacoma of the same generation as yours and with a wedge-type topper like yours, with a roof vent.

I don't have any pics but the vent is simliar, if not identical, to the one on my FWC. Approximately 1 foot by 1 foot, likely with a hand crank. I don't recognize the driver, or I would ask him for you who & how he did it. That said, I like those solar vents Carlyle mentioned as an option. Smaller and less likely to snag on a branch rolling down the trail.


:beer:

.

 

[dustboy]

How to make a hole- just get the proper sized hole saw, a dust mask, and drill away! The irregularity in this circle was due to my squirrely attempt to enlarge the hole by 1/16" using a dremel.

 

[Curmudgeon]

For a little more cash you could add a ICP solar fan, they are slick and will work in that application.

My vote goes to the solar fan. They're currently available from Amazon.com for less than $120 with free shipping.

JP

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

How about using a small set of scoops from the boating industry that is used to vent the gas tank area to the outide; mount one on each side of the toppe then use a small 12 volt computer style fan at each scoop that could be switched forward or reverse, this would give airflow in a breeze or in dead calm weather using the fans. Put a fine screen in under the scoop to keep little critters out. You could also make a small vinyl covers for winter, using snaps.

Pete Wilson