FANTASTIC VENT (FAN) Model 5000 RBT)

Fantastic Fan Installed on our MULE

Overall Rating: Very Good – a must for hot / humid climates

Pros:

  • Low amp draw (Max 3 amps on high) less draw on lower speeds
  • Thermal control switch (not on all models)
  • Moves a high volume of air
  • Quite operation
  • Great white noise generator for noisy campsites (i.e. roosters, dogs, etc)

Cons:

  • Requires permanent modification to the fiberglass
  • Requires custom “picture frame” in order to create a weather tight seal
  • Knob / mechanism used to open and close skylight feels a bit flimsy
  • Fan Housing does is designed for installation on roofs with greater thickness than the standard Westy Pop-top. Interior finish is poor as a result (see photo of interior)
Interior View of Ceiling After Installed
Exterior View of Roof After Installed-note outer “picture frame” made from 1/8″ aluminum

In short, we LOVE this fan and life would have been miserable without it in the hot weather we experienced on our trip. It moves air fast – both drawing cooler air in at night allowing us to sleep comfortably, and moving hot air out when cooking or sitting in traffic at the border : )

The fan is not made specifically for the Westfalia top and therefore does not fit exactly into the stock skylight footprint. Cut out required for the vent is 14 x 14 so in order to use it on the Westy, we had to make our own aluminum external frame to mount it. In addition, it hangs down above the ceiling a bit on the interior which has not been a problem, but will require us to also make some type of frame to finish off the look on the inside. (You can see on the internal photo we left it unfinished for this trip).

Overall: Add to your top 10 list for necessary Westy/Vanagon customizations. This item would be one of our top accessory recommendations.

DAS MULE (prototype) MOTION SENSOR with LED FLOOD LIGHT:

DAS MULE (PROTOTYPE) MOTION SENSOR with 27W LED FLOOD LIGHT

Overall Rating: Good

Pros:

  • LED’s are very bright and produce an excellent flood pattern
  • LED lights are compact (4″x4″x2″) fits nicely on the DAS MULE (Prototype) Pop Top Rail System
  • Motion sensor works as expected
  • Great value (bought 4 lights for less than $200)

Cons:

  • Random “on/off” can be annoying when it happens
  • Size of motion sensor could be smaller
  • Lights can be too bright if looking directly at the vehicle at night (good for keeping the   wildlife away, but not so great if your trying to navigate back to bed after a nature break)
  • Motion sensors (as shown) require custom waterproof enclosures.

Overall the motion sensors / flood lights we installed on our Mule worked great. However, due to the random operation of the lights on some occasions we chose to leave them off most of the time. Adjustment to the sensitivity and positioning of the sensor would mitigate most of the issues. If your free camping, alone in unknown areas the motion sensor flood provides an added layer of security.

RAM MOUNT for IPAD and TOM TOM GPS

IPAD RAM MOUNT

Overall Rating: Excellent

Pros:

  • Well made IN THE USA !
  • Durable
  • Modular – the mounts and other non specific hardware are completely interchangeable (think erector set or LEGOS)
  • You can buy each component separately
  • Solid hold in high vibration “off road” installations
  • Able to support a surprising amount of weight without slipping or flexing

Cons:

  • Small rubber isolators fell off the IPAD mount in hot weather (mount still worked but IPAD rattled around on washboard without them.