A ceiling fan can be a great addition to your motorhome, travel trailer or 5th wheel. RV ceiling fans operate on a 12 volts current, which means you can run yours on battery power alone. No need to hook up to shore power or run the generator.
In many cases, that constant stream of air provided by a ventilator can cool off your RV just to the right temperature, without ever having to turn on the air conditioner. In fact, many people prefer the natural constant blow of air over the intermittent cold air from the AC vents.
With that in mind, we brought together a list of pretty awesome 12v ceiling fans for RV's. If this is your first time shopping for one, you may want to scroll down to see our Q&A section too.
Way Interglobal 42" Ceiling Fan in Black/Oak Blades and Brushed Nickel
Available from Etrailer, this is another great option with four blades you can use with your 12V battery power. It has a 4-Speed reversible motor, allowing you to control the generated airflow. As with most RV 12V ceiling fans, no remote control here - just a wall switch.
Click here to see more on Etrailer.
EZ Fan 36" Ceiling Fan in Satin Nickel and White
Made by Trusty Motors Inc. you can actually order this model in a variety of sizes. Made with RV's in mind, this unit operates on a low amperage draw at just 1.2 amps, while utilizing the 12 volt DC battery. Which means it's energy-efficient.
It's also effective and reviewers say it circulates air very well, at two speeds. And you can control this one from your bed using the remote control - no need to get up in the middle of the night to switch it on or off.
The design is very clean yet not very eye-catching. With white blades and a nickel body, it may not contribute much in the line of decor, but it will blend in nicely with your white ceiling.
Click here to see more on Camping World.
EZ Fan 36" Ceiling Fan In Brass/Oak
Trusty Motors Inc. has you covered when looking for a stylish ceiling fan to incorporate seamlessly into an RV or 5th wheel with this 36" fan with brass housing and oak blades to coordinate with your decor. Very low amperage draw at just 1.2 amps and reversing motor let you chose the direction of circulation for ultimate comfort control during any season.
Click here to see more on Camping World.
LaSalle Bristol 42" Ceiling Fan in White and Nickel
With long large blades, this model by LaSalle Bristol offers great value-for-money where it comes to purchasing an RV ceiling fan. If you buy it on Amazon (link below), you can actually shop around and compare several sellers.
Utilizing a regular brush motor, it does operate on 12 voltage, making it suitable for your RV. It comes with a hard-wired controller - no remote control - so you need to hardwire it into your RV wall.
At six lbs, it's actually relatively light compared to other ceiling fans in this size. Which is good if you're worried about hanging a large fan from your RV ceiling (and right over your bed too!)
Click here to see more on Amazon.
KSOL Power 42" Ceiling Fan in Brass with Oak Blades
This model by KSol Power offers three different speeds - and levels of air circulation - all operated from the comfort of your bed using an infra-red remote control. The manufacturer actually specified amperage by speed - very useful when you're boondocking and living off your battery. While always operating on 12 volts, this unit draws -
- 0.5 amper at low speed
- 0.75 amp at medium speed
- 1.2 amp at high speed
The design is gorgeous with light-oak blades in a brass base. It could be a great match for your RV decor in the living area or bedroom.
Click here to see more on Amazon.
Portable 19.7" Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Mount this fan beneath your awning for warm, summer evenings or mount inside for seasonal air circulation. This nearly silently rotating fan operates on a storage battery that can be connected either to your 12v system or directly by solar power to recharge.
Indoor/Outdoor 19.7" Camping Fan
This lightweight fan is ideal for RVs and travel trailers. Plastic blades provide a silent, gentle flow of circulating air to keep you cool. The fan can be installed indoors or outdoors and relies on 12v power or solar power. On/Off switch for your control.
What you need to know before buying an RV ceiling fan
Shopping for an RV ceiling fan can be daunting. Lots of terms thrown around and it's hard to see what is what. We've put together a quick Q&A you can check.
Does an RV ceiling fan has to be 12v?
Actually, it's entirely possible to install larger and stronger ceiling fans in an RV. You simply need to hook them up to the right electric system and yes - they will take more electric power to run.
If this isn't an issue for you, and you're going to operate on shore-power or rely on your generator, then a solid ceiling fan that runs on 110v AC can definitely be an option.
Click to see a good option by Etrailer.
Most RVers look for 12v options because they allow you to run the fan when you have no shore power and no genny running. The 12V option can be a lifesaver when you're boondocking in a national park or another off-grid campground that limits the use of generators overnight.
What's a non-brush or brushless ceiling fan?
Don't look for brushes on the blades. You won't find any.
The term brushless or non-brush refers to the type of motor used to operate the fan. Traditional motors have brushes in them. Brushless motors use a different mechanism. If you're technically inclined and want to know more, check out this video -
If you just want to know the bottom line, it is that brushless motors are more versatile and responsive. They can be more effective and use up less electricity.
What's a hugger ceiling fan (and do you need one for your RV?)
This has to do with where in the room the fan blades rotate. When you install a ceiling fan in a regular home with a high ceiling, there is usually a down-rod that places the blades well below the ceiling. This allows for better air circulation and with a high ceiling that's at least 9' high, it works out very well.
The average ceiling height in a travel trailer or motorhome is much lower - usually around 7 feet at most (you can see some specs in our guide: Which RV is best for tall people). Which means you could end up placing those rotating blades at 5-6 ft high. Not very safe.
The solution? Hugger fans. These fans, also known as flush-mount ceiling fans, literally "hug" the ceiling. Yes, it makes RV fans less effective but hey, you get to avoid head injury!
We hope you found this guide helpful! If you recently installed a ceiling fan in your RV, we'd love to hear your recommendations in a comment below!
Do you know where I can buy a12v drop down ceiling fan?
Hi,
Most people prefer not to use them in an RV because of the low ceilings. I don’t think there’s much of a market for low-hanging drop-down 12V fans for that reason. Some of the models suggested in the post are not as close to the ceiling as others, so maybe they could work for you?
Hi I want to replace one of my RV fifth wheel trailer 12 volt DC ceiling light fixtures with 36″ 12 volt DC hugger ceiling fan with a light. could you recommend one and where to purchase?
Thanks for the comment, Willy. We recommend checking Etrailer, Amazon, and Camping World. Between these sites, there’s quite the selection to choose from. Hope that helps!
I have checked all the the above as well as many more. I can’t find a single 12V DC ceiling fan with a light built in. Do you have brand/model or link that you can recommend?
Did you ever find a 12 volt ceiling fan with a light? We are currently looking and having trouble finding one.
Thank you so much for this information, it was very helpful.
Question is at the end of your article you sent that hugger fans are not that effective, so is it worth putting a ceiling fan in an RV?
I have one more question and this one might be outside of your Realm, do you know of any companies that repair or replace RV roofs that are not that expensive
Hugger fans are slightly less effective because there is less space between the fan and the ceiling. Fans push air downward through the blades, so more space above the fan equates to more efficiency, and vice versa. That said, hugger fans are by no means a bad option; they will still circulate air, just not as efficiently as a normal fan. And like we mentioned in the post, a hugger fan is the safer option for an RV, as a conventional ceiling fan will likely hang down too low. To answer your second question, we recommend doing a Google search of RV roof repair companies in your area and contacting each one for a quote. Best of luck!
I would likea hanging one with down rod for an off grid cabin
I have a Jayco Pinnacle 42ft with very tall ceiling and would need a drop down. Can you advise a direction to finding that style in 12 volt?
Thanks in advance for your help!!
I’m trouble shooting i have model 300920 i need a wire diagram. Because fan will not work, when you first turn it on it just a tiny movement. Thanks