Updated: 23 September 2026 · EuroVan Shop
In short: Looking for a MaxxAir fan alternative? Compare roof fans on six points: cut-out size, 12 V power draw, number of speeds, use in rain and while driving, thermostat and remote, and reversible airflow. Our VANVENT 3.0 fits the 400 × 400 mm cut-out with a brushless fan, 10 speeds, thermostat and radio remote. See all roof windows and fans.
See all roof fansWhat does a 12 V campervan roof fan do?
A 12 V roof fan moves air through the highest point of the van: it pushes out warm, moist air or draws fresh air in. That clears cooking steam and damp air even when there is no breeze, and helps on a warm evening.
A plain roof light only ventilates when there is a breeze or a temperature difference. A fan works on a still, humid night, which is exactly when condensation builds up on windows and walls. It does not cool the air below the outside temperature like an air conditioner, but it replaces stale air with outside air.
Browse our campervan roof windows and fans, or read our ventilation and condensation FAQ to plan airflow for the whole van.
What should you compare when looking for a MaxxAir fan alternative?
Compare the fit first, then the features. Many people search for the MaxxFan because it is well known; whichever brand you choose, the same points decide whether a fan suits your van.
- Cut-out size: the fan must fit the hole in your roof, or the one you plan to cut. Measure the opening, not the outer frame. 400 × 400 mm is the most common cut-out on converted vans.
- Roof thickness: every fan is made for a range; check yours at the edge of the opening.
- 12 V power draw: read the wattage and recommended fuse on the product sheet, and check it against your battery.
- Speeds: more steps let you run it quietly at night and hard after cooking.
- Rain and driving: check what the maker states about running the fan in the rain and on the road.
- Thermostat and remote: automatic control and a remote you can use from bed.
- Reversible airflow: extract stale air, or draw fresh air in.
- Extras: blackout blind, fly-screen and LED light, included or not.
MaxxFan and MaxxAir are trademarks of Airxcel. EuroVan Shop does not sell Airxcel products; our fans are sold under their own names.
Our 12 V roof fans compared
We offer five roof fans in four cut-out sizes. The table lists only what each product sheet states; a dash means the sheet does not claim it.
| Fan | Cut-out | Roof thickness | Motor and controls | Rain | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VANVENT 3.0 (grey, black, white) | 400 × 400 mm | 27 to 80 mm | Brushless, 10 speeds, thermostat, radio remote | Keeps ventilating with the lid closed | LED, blackout blind, fly-screen |
| EuroVan 40x40 | 400 × 400 mm | 25 to 60 mm | Reversible, 1200 RPM, several speeds | Usable with the lid closed | Fly-screen |
| EuroVan 36x36 | 360 × 360 mm | 25 to 60 mm | Reversible, 1200 RPM, several speeds | Usable with the lid closed | Fly-screen |
| EuroVan 28x28 | 280 × 280 mm | 25 to 50 mm | Reversible, several speeds | – | LED, fly-screen |
| POWER VENT | 280 × 280 or 320 × 320 mm | 25 to 80 mm | Reversible, crank opening up to 50° | – | 70 cm² permanent ventilation, fly-screen |
All run on 12 V. The VANVENT 3.0 is also ECE R43 approved and comes with a 3-year warranty and spare parts for 5 years.
VANVENT 3.0: the full-featured 400 x 400 mm roof fan
The VANVENT 3.0 is our answer for anyone who wants every feature in the standard 400 × 400 mm cut-out. It has a brushless 12 V fan with 10 speeds, a thermostat, a radio remote with a range of about 30 m through partitions, and an LCD display with touch controls on the inner frame.
- Quiet: under 32 dB at speed 4 and under 47 dB at speed 10, measured at the air outlet.
- Power: 20 W fan plus 4 W LED, 12 V DC with 9 to 16 V tolerance; recommended fuse 5 A. 24 V with a converter.
- Low profile: 127 mm closed, 182 mm open; 4.9 kg.
- Everything included: LED lighting, blackout blind and fly-screen.
The three colours are identical mechanically and electrically: grey (smoked) to match tinted windows, black for dark roofs and roof racks, white to blend into a white factory roof.
VANVENT 3.0 GREY
Smoked grey dome. Brushless, 10 speeds, thermostat, radio remote, LED, blind and fly-screen.
VANVENT 3.0 BLACK
Same fan in black: the most discreet from the ground on a dark roof.
EuroVan 40x40, 36x36 and 28x28: simple reversible fans
The EuroVan fans are the simpler choice: a reversible 12 V fan with several speeds and a fly-screen, in three cut-out sizes. Pick the size your roof allows.
- EuroVan 40x40: the universal 400 × 400 mm cut-out, 1200 RPM. Smoke-tinted or light-grey transparent dome.
- EuroVan 36x36: a 360 × 360 mm cut-out, 1200 RPM, for a roofline too short or too crowded for a 40 × 40.
- EuroVan 28x28: the most compact, 280 × 280 mm, with a built-in LED ceiling light: ventilation and light from one opening, on one 12 V feed.
The 40x40 and 36x36 can be left running in the rain with the lid closed.
EuroVan 40x40
400 × 400 mm, reversible 12 V fan, 1200 RPM, fly-screen. Roof 25 to 60 mm.
EuroVan 36x36
360 × 360 mm for shorter rooflines. Reversible, 1200 RPM, fly-screen.
EuroVan 28x28
280 × 280 mm with built-in LED light. Reversible 12 V fan, fly-screen.
POWER VENT: a compact fan for the kitchen or shower
The POWER VENT is a compact 12 V roof vent for above a kitchen or a shower, where air has to move fast. Its reversible fan extracts steam and cooking smells or draws fresh air in, and a hand crank raises the dome up to 50°, so it opens and closes even with the power off.
It also has 70 cm² of built-in permanent ventilation: air keeps flowing with the dome closed. It fits a 280 × 280 or 320 × 320 mm cut-out, the widest roof range of our vents (25 to 80 mm), with a white or transparent dome.
POWER VENT
Reversible 12 V fan, crank up to 50°, 70 cm² permanent ventilation. 28 × 28 or 32 × 32 cm.
Can you leave a roof fan running in the rain?
With our VANVENT 3.0, yes: ventilation keeps working with the lid closed, so air circulates and moisture is pushed out while the rain stays outside. The EuroVan 40x40 and 36x36 can also run in the rain with the lid closed, as the dome shields the opening.
For the EuroVan 28x28 and the POWER VENT, the product sheets do not make a rain claim, so close them when it rains. For any other brand, follow the maker's manual.
Can you run a roof fan while driving?
The VANVENT 3.0 can: its dome is sealed and stays closed, so the fan can run at motorway speed. That is useful for clearing heat from a van that has stood in the sun, or for keeping air moving on a long drive.
The product sheets of our EuroVan and POWER VENT fans do not cover use while driving, so close them before you set off. For any other brand, follow the maker's manual.
Replacing an existing roof fan or roof light
Measure the opening in your roof: if it is 400 × 400 mm, the VANVENT 3.0 and the EuroVan 40x40 drop into it without cutting. The VANVENT's 450 × 593 mm outer flange covers the marks left by an older vent of the same size.
Remove the old unit, clean off every trace of old sealant and bond the new fan with the Sikaflex skylight pack. Our skylight replacement guide walks you through it, and our installation guide covers new cut-outs. Allow about two hours for a first VANVENT fit.
Not sure which roof window fits your roof?
Send us the cut-out size and roof thickness (or a photo). Our France-based technical team answers within 24 hours.
Ask our technical teamFrequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to a MaxxAir fan?
Choose a fan that fits your cut-out and offers what you need: speeds, thermostat, remote, rain use. In the 400 × 400 mm cut-out, our VANVENT 3.0 has a brushless 12 V fan, 10 speeds, a thermostat, a radio remote, LED, blind and fly-screen. MaxxFan and MaxxAir are trademarks of Airxcel.
How much power does the VANVENT 3.0 draw?
20 W for the fan plus 4 W for the LED, on 12 V DC (9 to 16 V tolerance). The recommended fuse is 5 A.
Can I leave my roof fan running in the rain?
The VANVENT 3.0 keeps ventilating with the lid closed, and the EuroVan 40x40 and 36x36 can run in the rain with the lid closed. Close the EuroVan 28x28 and POWER VENT when it rains.
Can I run the fan while driving?
The VANVENT 3.0 can: its dome is sealed and stays closed, so it can run at motorway speed. Close our other fans before driving.
Is a roof fan better than air conditioning?
They do different jobs. A 12 V roof fan replaces warm, moist air with outside air and clears condensation; it does not cool below the outside temperature like an air conditioner.
Which roof fan fits a 360 × 360 mm opening?
The EuroVan 36x36, made for a 360 × 360 mm cut-out and roofs 25 to 60 mm thick.
Know your cut-out? Pick the fan that fits it.
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