Community Forums

1218RV · 10-05-2020, 02:17 PM

We have a new to us 32ft 5th wheel. I’m working on resealing the roof but prior to doing that I have a question in regards to the skylight in the main living area. The previous owner has put a piece of styrofoam in the skylight, he said he did this to reduce the heat. It appears he did this from the top.

I’m wondering if I should....

Remove the styrofoam put the top back on and reseal.

Leave it as is and just reseal.

Remove the styrofoam and put a darker cover.

I guess I’m not certain why he put it in from the top? Could it not be put in and taken out from the inside of the trailer if I changed my mind in the future?

Dutch Star Don · 10-05-2020, 03:41 PM

Remove it and reseal. If yo find you need to block the heat, you can buy an insert (from the inside) made just for blocking out the light and heat.

https://www.campingworld.com/solar-v...%2Fvent-covers

https://www.campingworld.com/vent-cu...ap-106744.html

twogypsies · 10-05-2020, 04:22 PM

I can't understand putting it on from the top.

We used a 'pillow' made exactly for that purpose. Slip it in from the inside when you want to keep the cold or heat out and take it out when you want the light or when you want to use the fan that may be there.

Ray,IN · 10-05-2020, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1218RV

We have a new to us 32ft 5th wheel. I’m working on resealing the roof but prior to doing that I have a question in regards to the skylight in the main living area. The previous owner has put a piece of styrofoam in the skylight, he said he did this to reduce the heat. It appears he did this from the top.

I’m wondering if I should....

Remove the styrofoam put the top back on and reseal.

Leave it as is and just reseal.

Remove the styrofoam and put a darker cover.

I guess I’m not certain why he put it in from the top? Could it not be put in and taken out from the inside of the trailer if I changed my mind in the future?

I would do as your last sentence. You may be able to remove it from inside now. Every roof disturbance is a potential leak.

Jay D. · 10-05-2020, 08:46 PM

i have Styrofoam pieces that fit from the inside, i can't see that much heat loss there. I've only used mine a few times and that was in Alaska to darken the inside so i could get to sleep better.
Jay D.

chunker · 10-06-2020, 04:09 AM

Without seeing a picture of the skylight my guess it was installed from the bottom. The skylight trim piece is held in place with several hopefully painted stainless steel screws, and removing them you can pull the trim off and have access to the outside portion of the skylight. Now is also a god time to clean any debris, bugs, dirt from the 3 pieces and then install a cover of your desire. I made a cover that slipped up on the inside, friction fit, that I could remove when the sun wasn't blaring through. Generally we like the light coming through, just not a Tuscon summer version.

IC2 · 10-06-2020, 05:14 AM

If that 'foam is between the screen and cover, easy to remove. Most screens are attached by either a couple screws or by a set of 3-4 clips. Or you can open the cover, go up on the roof and pull it away.

If you have a hood such as a MaxxAire - these are held in closed by a pair of clips. Pull them, and swing the cover. It will rotate open.

You can replace the MaxxAire hoods with a cark version. If you don't need/want to use that vent, a material called Reflectix (sp) is available at Home Depot/Lowe's and works better then 'foam

egwilly · 10-06-2020, 07:22 AM

I doubt he installed it from the roof, unless he was working to replace the vent, and just dropped it in there not thinking.

The skylight usually has a trim ring you remove inside the trailer, then a clear Plexiglas sheet comes out. It is used to mimic a thermal barrier. Mine was that way. Depends on the manufacturer.

I taped white copy paper to the inside of the dome 4 years ago to cut the light coming into the room. Still works fine now.

TommieG · 10-30-2020, 07:11 AM

This is a related question to this discussion. I'm in the process of restoring a 1997 Class A that has a skylight in the shower. so, since I've never owned and RV before, should I keep the skylight or ditch it?

chunker · 10-30-2020, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommieG

This is a related question to this discussion. I'm in the process of restoring a 1997 Class A that has a skylight in the shower. so, since I've never owned and RV before, should I keep the skylight or ditch it?

That becomes a personal preference. The shower skylight raises the ceiling in the shower a bit so taller people like the extra room. The skylight gives extra light in the bath area but that extra light can be extra heat. On a 23 year old RV the skylight could be brittle or fragile so maybe it needs replacing or resealing.