Keep an eye to the sky! Severe weather season is here and predicted to be more violent than average. Do you know the most vulnerable parts of your RV or LQ horse trailer? After a storm, you need to inspect all exterior vents, doors, hatches, skylights and any other exterior features on your home away from home. You may need to replace a vent lid or other accessories.

Measuring a Vent Lid

Do you have replacement vent lids? That’s a common question I answer here at the parts desk this time of year. To answer, I have to ask a few questions of our own. Firstly, Size. Most vents are 14×14, if you know where to measure. The raised dome portion of the vent lid is typically around 13×13, but if you measure the base or flange of the complete vent unit you might see closer to 15×15. The hole cut in the roof is what actually measures 14×14.

Hinge Styles

Second question I would ask you is what type of hinges your vent has. Older (pre 1994) Jensen Pin Hinge style vents have four metal tabs that are secured to the vent by a pin. Remove the screws from each end of the hinge and slide the pin out.

Newer Jensen style vents have plastic hinges with three tabs molded into the plastic of the lid. Remove the brace from the lid, then slide off the crank arm. Rotate the lid all the way back, this allows you to remove the lid from the hinges and replace the vent lid with a new one.

Ventline (pre2008) or Elixir (post 1994) hinge styles have a single metal tube-like hinge running almost the whole width of the vent lid. Open the lid, remove the handle, trim, and crank. Next you will use pliers to un-curl the hinge pin on one side and slide it. Replace the vent lid with the new one, and reverse the process to secure it in place.

Newer (2008 to current) Ventline lids have a plastic hinge piece. When viewed from the side this has a triangular shape to it. Open the lid and remove the crank handle and screen. Remove the screws from the crank assembly. The dome retainer clip is removed next. Disengage the lid from the crank arm and remove the lid. Simply follow these steps in reverse to install your replacement vent lid.

Colors

Once you know what hinge type you need, the next decision is color. White and smoke are the most popular options here. Amber, black, and clear are available in some styles.

Other Replacement Parts Available

Skylights and refrigerator vents are probably the next most common replacements needed. Give us a call if you need help finding one of those, or any other parts, for your LQ Trailer or RV!