Airflow is rarely a problem when a UTV is moving quickly, but conditions change considerably when the trail slows to a crawl. Technical terrain, stopped vehicles and high temperatures can turn the cab into an uncomfortable place to spend the day.
We tested the KEMIMOTO UTV overhead fan while rock crawling on the Rubicon Trail in temperatures above 90 degrees. The slow pace and demanding terrain created a useful real-world test of its airflow, noise, adjustability and ability to remain in position.
The fan proved helpful under those conditions, but our testing also revealed several limitations that riders should consider before installing one.
KEMIMOTO UTV Overhead Fan
What Is the KEMIMOTO UTV Overhead Fan?
The KEMIMOTO overhead fan is designed to mount beneath the roof of a UTV and direct air toward the driver and passenger. Unlike a cab heater or air-conditioning system, it does not change the temperature of the air. Instead, it circulates the available air to help occupants feel more comfortable when the vehicle is moving slowly or sitting still.
Our test unit used two independently controlled fans. Each occupant could select a preferred fan speed rather than having one control operate the entire system. The fans could also be aimed from left to right to direct airflow where it was needed.
KEMIMOTO offers several overhead-fan configurations, so dimensions, lighting features and mounting requirements may vary by model. Confirm the exact product specifications and available overhead clearance before ordering.
KEMIMOTO Overhead Fan Features
- Dual overhead fans
- Independent speed adjustment for each fan
- Adjustable airflow direction
- Roof-mounted design
- 12-volt electrical connection
- Mounting hardware included with compatible versions
Easy Installation
Installation was one of the strongest parts of the KEMIMOTO fan. The mounting system was straightforward, and the fan could be installed without making the project unnecessarily complicated.
As with any overhead UTV accessory, it is important to plan the mounting location before tightening everything into place. Check the distance between the roof, roll cage, seats and occupants. You should also confirm that the wiring will not interfere with helmets, harnesses, the windshield or other accessories.
The fan requires a suitable 12-volt power source. Wiring it to a keyed accessory circuit can help prevent the fan from accidentally being left on after the engine is shut down.
Independent Fan-Speed Controls
Each fan has its own speed adjuster, which is a useful feature for a two-seat installation. The driver and passenger do not necessarily want the same amount of airflow, particularly when the sun is hitting one side of the vehicle more directly.
Independent controls allowed us to run one fan faster than the other or reduce the speed on one side without affecting the other occupant. That flexibility was more useful than a single control operating both fans at the same speed.
Testing on the Rubicon Trail
We tested the overhead fan while rock crawling on the Rubicon Trail in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees. This was not a casual drive on a smooth graded road. The trail required slow speeds, frequent stops and extended periods with little natural air moving through the vehicle.
Those conditions are where an overhead fan makes the most sense. At normal trail speeds, outside air generally circulates through an open UTV without much help. When crawling through rocks at only a few miles per hour, however, that natural airflow nearly disappears.
The KEMIMOTO fan provided welcome air movement during those slow sections. It was particularly helpful while waiting for another vehicle to clear an obstacle or while working through technical terrain under the hot sun.
It did not transform the cab into an air-conditioned environment, but having moving air was noticeably better than having none.
How Much Air Does It Move?
Although we appreciated the additional airflow, the fans did not move as much air as we expected at their highest setting. The airflow was useful when directed toward an occupant, but it did not create the volume of air that the size of the system might suggest.
Fan placement makes a difference. Positioning the assembly close enough to the occupants and carefully aiming each fan will produce better results than mounting it high or far behind the seats.
Expect localized airflow directed toward the driver and passenger rather than enough circulation to cool an entire cab.
Fan Noise
The fans were fairly loud at their highest setting. That may not matter much in a noisy UTV with the engine running, but it becomes more noticeable during stops or in a vehicle with a quieter cab.
Reducing the fan speed produced a better balance between airflow and noise. We generally found the middle settings more comfortable when maximum airflow was not necessary.
Running the fans on high remains an option for the hottest and slowest portions of a ride, but riders should expect additional noise when doing so.
Adjustable Direction Has a Limitation
The individual fans can be moved from left to right, allowing the airflow to be aimed toward the driver or passenger. The concept works well when the vehicle is stationary or traveling over relatively smooth terrain.
On the Rubicon Trail, however, the fans did not always remain at the selected angle. Repeated impacts and vehicle movement caused them to gradually shift out of position. We occasionally had to reach up and readjust them.
This was not enough to make the fan unusable, but a stronger positioning mechanism would make it better suited to aggressive trail riding and rock crawling.
KEMIMOTO UTV Overhead Fans
Headroom and Helmet Clearance
The biggest fitment consideration is overhead clearance. Installing the fan beneath the roof reduces the available space above the occupants.
That may not be a major concern in a UTV with a tall factory cage and upright seating position. It can become an issue with an aftermarket cage that sits lower than stock, especially when the occupants are wearing helmets.
Before purchasing or installing the fan, sit in the vehicle with your normal riding equipment and measure the available space. Remember that your body will move upward when the suspension compresses or the vehicle drops off an obstacle. Clearance that appears acceptable while parked may feel much tighter on a rough trail.
The fan should never be mounted where an occupant’s helmet or head could strike it during normal vehicle movement.
What We Liked
- Installation was straightforward.
- Each fan has its own speed control.
- The fans can be aimed independently.
- Air movement was welcome during slow-speed rock crawling.
- The system was most useful during stops and technical trail sections.
What Could Be Improved
- The fans did not move as much air as we expected on high.
- Maximum fan speed produced considerable noise.
- The fans did not always hold their selected angle in rough terrain.
- The overhead assembly reduces available headroom.
- Clearance may be an issue with low aftermarket cages or helmets.
Who Is This Fan Best For?
The KEMIMOTO overhead fan makes the most sense for riders who regularly encounter hot weather and slow vehicle speeds. That includes rock crawlers, hunters, property owners and trail riders who frequently stop or travel through technical terrain.
It may also be helpful in a UTV equipped with a windshield, roof and doors, where those accessories reduce the amount of natural air entering the cab.
Riders who spend most of their time traveling quickly in an open-cab sport UTV may receive less benefit. At higher speeds, natural airflow can exceed what the electric fans provide, while the overhead assembly still consumes valuable headroom.
KEMIMOTO UTV Overhead Fan Review: Final Verdict
The KEMIMOTO overhead fan is a useful comfort accessory, but expectations should remain realistic. It will not cool the air like an HVAC system, and the airflow at maximum speed was not as strong as we anticipated. The fans were also fairly loud on high and had difficulty maintaining their selected direction while bouncing across rough terrain.
Even with those shortcomings, we were glad to have the fan while rock crawling on the Rubicon Trail in temperatures above 90 degrees. When vehicle speeds dropped and natural airflow disappeared, the moving air provided noticeable relief.
Easy installation and individual speed controls are meaningful advantages. The primary concerns are reduced head clearance, high-speed noise and the fan mounts moving out of position on rough trails.
For riders who spend a lot of time crawling, working or sitting in a hot UTV, the KEMIMOTO overhead fan can be a worthwhile addition. Carefully check cage and helmet clearance before installation, and consider it a source of supplemental airflow rather than a substitute for air conditioning.
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