Moisture between panes of glass on drivers side fixed windows

[georgebonord]

One of my future maintenance projects is to either repair or replace the 2 cloudy fixed windows located on the drivers side of our 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer. These 2 windows have moisture trapped inside of them indicating the seals on the windows have failed.

I am considering replacing them with a thick piece of lexan that is the same thickness. I know others have either rebuilt the seals or replaced the assembly with a thick piece of tempered glass. I'm considering lexan because of its light weight and very good strength.

Does anyone happen to know the thickness of these 2 factory installed windows? I would love to hear your comments on this repair.

[Brasher801]

Curious myself! Hope someone knows. I have a 2000 Monaco Monarch gas coach with same problem.

[docj]

Considering the fact that the dual pane windows provide both thermal and noise reduction benefits, I sure wouldn't want to replace them with a single pane of anything.

There are a number of glass shops around the country that specialize in repairing dual pane windows in RVs. Last September we had one of them, RV Fog Doctor in Searcy AR, do four of ours. The cost was $200 per window frame (regardless of whether that was one window section or two) and we were on our way down the road by 2pm. I can't say enough good things about them.

[Old Scout]

...don't know the safety or legal implications but most RV front cabin windows are usually tinted and use DOT certified safety glass?????

[jacwjames]

Our first RV was a Class without dual pane windows. It was hot in the summer, cold in the window, and with windows would have a lot of moisture in the winter with high humidity.

When we bought our Class A, with dual pane windows, they were all good but after about 5 years I had 3 windows fogged. The drivers sided window got so bad it was hard to see out of, I'd have to slide it open to look for traffic so I had to do something.

After doing a bunch of research I fixed myself, 3 windows pretty cheap actually. Here's a post I did
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/dont...ng-246255.html

[RobRoy]

Used these fine folks ......awesome work!

Pulled in late one afternoon full hook up FREE

Went out had seafood dinner on the gulf that night with the DW

2pm the next day and were done $200.00 ....and let us stay another night FREE

https://suncoastdesigners.com/

Happy Trails

[vito.a]

I had ours repaired at RV Glass Solutions. They have locations in OR, AZ, and FL as well as attending several RV rallies. They have two repair methods. One is a new single pane that is lifetime guaranteed and the other is to repair your existing dual panes with new seals. You can debate the "R" value of double pane glass all day but in the end even dual pane glass is a very poor insulator.
https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/...hrouds_46-6721

[docj]

Originally Posted by vito.a

You can debate the "R" value of double pane glass all day but in the end even dual pane glass is a very poor insulator.

With all due respect, single pane glass has an R-value of slightly less than one. Dual pane glass has an R-value of just around 2. Sure, "2" isn't much insulation but an R value of 2 permits half as much heat loss as a barrier with R value of 1. That can be a huge savings, to say nothing of the noise reduction, which in an RV is a significant factor.

[irishguy]

Considering the windshield is one large single pane of laminate glass, would replacing one side window with a single pane laminate be that big of a deal?

Irishguy

[Traps90]

Originally Posted by irishguy

Considering the windshield is one large single pane of laminate glass, would replacing one side window with a single pane laminate be that big of a deal?

Irishguy

We have had to put towels all across the front dash when we we're in cool weather and rain, cause of all the water running down the windshield.

Never had to put towels down or ever had a real condensation problem with dual pane windows.

[Jeff753]

I too used suncoast for glass replacement and they did great work.

[astrnmrtom]

I'd be willing to bet the thickness of this pane is the same as your other windows. I've rebuilt about 2 dozen windows and no mater where they were located, the thickness was the same through out the coach.

The only problem I can see is whether you can find Lexan that's the same thickness as your existing double pane window glass. Each pane sits in a U shaped rubber gasket. If it's a little thinner you might be able to make up the difference with silicone caulk on one side. Be aware that one of the properties that makes Lexan less brittle also makes it softer so it scratches easier.

Plastic has much poorer heat transfer properties than glass so anything you lose by going to a single, thick piece of plastic, you gain in slower heat transfer. Yes, the glass has the air-gap, but I'd be surprised if there's much of a difference between the two options. If you do go the Lexan route, make sure you cut the piece so it has a little room to expand. Doesn't need to be much but if it's too tight in the frame it could distort in the summer sun especially if you go with tinted Lexan.

The labor involved to install the Lexan is going to be about 2/3rds of what it would take to rebuild your windows provided there isn't a dried white deposit bonded on the interior surfaces. Super spacer is about $60 for 66 feet on Amazon and a tube of sealant, $13. Only other things needed are single edge razor blades, glass cleaner, paper towels and gloves to keep the sealer off your hands. It isn't harmful, just sticky as you-know-what. Residue will be on your fingers for days. A small can of Acetone or lacquer thinner will aid in removing cured sealer from the glass after you separate the panes and scrape most of the sealer.

Instead of doing the final clean with something like Windex, I used dish soap and washed the glass and rinsed with a hose. When it's really clean water will bead up and mostly roll off. You can blow the remaining drops off or if you want to take one more step to help prevent spots or residue, rinse with distilled water, then blow dry.

Since you don't have to worry about removing a slider handle - which can be a real bear, cutting the panes apart, cleaning them and resealing shouldn't take much more than an hour or so. Mark the exterior of each pane with tape so you know which side is which. Often, the outer pane is tinted, the inner one clear.

Handling thin glass panes can be unsettling but tempered glass is surprisingly strong. As long as you don't whack it on an edge, it's pretty hard to break.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[ByeTheWay]

Following Double pane is a PAIN in the ...

[Reka]

fixed my windows put in new sealing strips and resealed the glass with with cauking, got the correct sealing strips from amazon 3/16 size. wasn,t a diffulct job about 2 hrs each window including drying time. 1 year later still good, parts for job less than $100 for 66' of sealing bead and caulk.