Big skylights on Amazon

[86scotty]

These things. I am interested in trying on on a van top but I have found no reviews anywhere on them. They are 20x20. I'm trying to get away from the standard Maxxair/Fantastic Vent 14x14 style for a few reasons, mostly lack of light and airflow and that they aren't very reliable fans long term. Anyone try one of these?

$500 range on Amazon.

 

[IdaSHO]

Start looking into marine hatches. We have an aluminum framed thick lexan Bomar hatch for light/airflow/roof access. They come in a variety of sizes and are no-nonsense marine grade stuff. Going on 10+ years with ours without trouble.

Its like this one….

Bomar Extruded Low Profile Style A Hatch, 17-3/8" x 17-3/8" Opening

Style A-external hinge from Bomar.

www.campingworld.com

 

[86scotty]

Thanks Idasho, that is probably a much better plan. At first glance prices seem to be about the same.

If this thread gets a little traction I'd still like to hear whether or not these Amazon ones are good or not.

 

[Victorian]

View attachment 807469

These things. I am interested in trying on on a van top but I have found no reviews anywhere on them. They are 20x20. I'm trying to get away from the standard Maxxair/Fantastic Vent 14x14 style for a few reasons, mostly lack of light and airflow and that they aren't very reliable fans long term. Anyone try one of these?

$500 range on Amazon.

View attachment 807469

Don’t…. These are made by Maygood. We dealt with them for a while. 40% of the hatches we received were faulty. I got a stack of them if anyone needs parts….

 

[waltermitty]

Studying the photo and specs of the Bomar the question which stuck in my mind was how well that would work for a roof which had, say, a 2"+ thickness. The MaxxFan seem to be constructed for thickness and you would chop the flange to fit. But how would you handle something like the Bomar design which appears to fit a much narrower thickness exterior wall?

 

[IdaSHO]

Traditional marine hatches are flange mounted. They do not use trim rings. So they work with essentially any roof/wall thickness, but do require the penetration to be “finished” due to the lack of trim ring.

 

[86scotty]

Don’t…. These are made by Maygood. We dealt with them for a while. 40% of the hatches we received were faulty. I got a stack of them if anyone needs parts….

This is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks very much Victorian!

 

[Victorian]

This is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks very much Victorian!

You are welcome. There are other similar skylights that come from China that look great at first glance.... Just received a test order of 20 units and AGAIN the quality is not what was promised. The best ones right now with a proper support behind it comes from Tern Overland. Pricey but worth it!

 

[86scotty]

You are welcome. There are other similar skylights that come from China that look great at first glance.... Just received a test order of 20 units and AGAIN the quality is not what was promised. The best ones right now with a proper support behind it comes from Tern Overland. Pricey but worth it!

Spot on about Tern. I know and love the quality but the last sentence is what I'm trying to work around. I know you get what you pay for but still, I'm human.

 

[IdaSHO]

If Tern currently offers an insulated/dual pane option, Id say it would be worth considering. The only downside with our marine hatch is that it is not insulated.

 

[RVflyfish]

Eric, somewhere here or on SMB forum I saw a van with a Webasto panoramic roof. Might have been an older model than the ones you see at the link, but it was super nice. Came with a retractable blackout shade and retractable screen and was easily big enough to crawl through.