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04-11-2014, 07:16 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 158
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A Great Solution for Fogged Dual Pane RV Windows
We have a 2005 Itasca Meridian 34H with dual pane windows. We found the upper portion of the large bedroom window and the entrance door window had fogged internally, and was going to have them replaced at the Winnebago Service Facility in Forest City, Iowa. I emailed them for these two windows, and to have the coach outfitted with MCD Shades during our summer trip. We then went to the FMCA Rally in Perry GA to pick the color for the shades.
We found several vendors at the Rally that dealt with fogged widows, one of which was Darren Thomas Glass with the Never Fog RV Window System . The difference is that they use a laminated glass with no air-gap, and they are guaranteed never to fog. I spoke with Jesse at the rally, and a rough ball-park was $400 to $500 a window (she needed measurements to be exact). They were located in Sebring FL - about an hour south of Orlando.
Several days later, we got the quote back from Winnebago, and the two windows would run about $2200 and would be warrantied for a year. That’s when I seriously considered going to Darren Thomas Glass. I called Jesse with the sizes, and had a quote of $840 total, and an invite to come and stay with them. They currently have facilities (water/electric 30/50, Wi-Fi) for up to three coaches, and Darren is adding facilities to accommodate four more. Their shop is a 12000 square foot building with 4 inside bays to handle motorhomes.
We drove down Thursday afternoon, arriving Thursday evening, and Darren and Larry were there to greet us. They got us set up and provided gate codes, Wi-Fi access code, and a welcome sheet with local maps, restaurants and attractions. We had a great prime-rib dinner at a local place and a quiet sleep that evening.
Friday morning, weather was nice, and since we decided to stay another night on Friday, Larry decided to do the motorhome in-place, so we didn’t have to pull in the slides and retract levelers, disconnect, and put everything away. We discussed doing the entire bedroom window, and Larry point out that the seal was open on the bottom portion, and it was just a matter of time. We decided to do the whole window, since it was coming out anyway. We met Meri, Darren’s wife, and Jesse, and got a good recommendation for breakfast, so off we went. I would have stayed to watch, but hunger won out!
We did some site-seeing, went to Highlands Hammock State Park to check out the camping sites, did some shopping and came back just as they were finishing up. Windows looked great! They matched the tint of the bedroom window and all functions correctly – this is the emergency exit window and opens for emergency egress. Paid the bill...it was exactly as discussed, and spent a pleasant evening listening to the frogs in the pond. We departed Saturday morning and it was a pleasure to be able to see clearly out the door window.
I’m not related, or in business with Darren Thomas Glass, but just relating a very pleasant experience. I love doing business with folks that are in tune with the needs of RVers. If you have fogged windows, and are in, or coming to Central Florida - I would highly recommend giving them a call for an estimate and getting an appointment.
__________________
Tom & Norma - NEW: 2011 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QRP
- OLD: 2005 Itasca Meridian 34H, Toad: 2007 Jeep Liberty 4WD, 4-Down, Blue OX Tow Bar & Brake Buddy
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04-11-2014, 07:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Kamloops, BC. Canada
Posts: 985
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Had the same fog problem. Called an automotive glass company.
They replaced the window with laminate for $300.
Took 2 hours and was done on site in the campground.
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04-11-2014, 08:55 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Port Charlotte, FL
Posts: 728
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quick question? do the laminate glass meet DOT standards? was it tempered or does it have to be? I've got 8 more windows to fix. Tanks, ed
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04-11-2014, 09:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 3,595
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Is condensation a problem with Never Fog RV Window System ???
__________________
KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
2013 Jeep Rubicon JK Unlimited
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04-11-2014, 09:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Kamloops, BC. Canada
Posts: 985
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Laminate windows are put into cars.
Yes, they meet DOT standards.
They can be cut and installed the same day,
where you need to order your stock window
and can take up to three weeks to get.
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04-11-2014, 09:59 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tasmania now, USA/Canada/Alaska in April
Posts: 2,473
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How does the thermal performance of the laminated glass compare with standard air-gap "plastic" windows
Windscreens - laminated glass - end up with gallons of condensation all over them after a cold night, whereas normal air-gap windows have no condensation.
What is different about these laminated glass windows and the stuff used in windscreens.
__________________
Tony Lee - International Grey Nomad. Picasa Album - Travel Map
RVs. USA - Airstream Cutter; in Australia - MC8 40' DIY Coach conversion & OKA 4x4 MH; in Germany - Hobby Class C; in S America - F350 with 2500 10.6 Bigfoot camper
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04-12-2014, 12:24 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 10,372
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Well Gang,
I wrote up a thread on this a few years ago when I had our issues with our previous coach, a '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V. It had both the passenger and drivers, slider and stationary go bad. Well, I talked with Atwood about them and, it was going to be a while for them to build a set of both and then get them to me. Well, it was then I decided to talk with a good friend who's in the auto glass business.
We discussed the possibility of changing to laminated glass. Well, it didn't take long for me to make up my mind. I told him to change all four panels, both sliders and both stationaries. He had the correct thickness of laminated glass instock and, it was even the right tint. So, two days later, both were done.
I installed them and, we used that coach in a multitude of conditions. Hot, cold, wet, dry and more. I was told by many so called "experts" that I'd get condensation on the inside of the coach with these new windows, NEVER HAPPENED! I was told that it would be considerably louder because of the lack of the "air gap" as an insulator. IT WAS NO LOUDER THAN BEFORE, IN THE SAME SITUATIONS!
I told the coach would get warmer and colder in given weather conditions. Well, none of that ever happened. Those windows worked flawless. I'd recommend the change to laminate glass in a heartbeat.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
 2018 Goldwing Tour DCT Airbag
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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04-12-2014, 10:04 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ...East Texas
Posts: 5,354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Lee
Windscreens - laminated glass - end up with gallons of condensation all over them after a cold night, whereas normal air-gap windows have no condensation.
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Yep, when temps are below freezing and the LP furnaces are going with warm breathing bodies inside. If the laminated glass in side windows doesn't get condensation inside in those conditions while the windshield does, I would have to see the sweaty windshield and simultaneous clear side windows to believe it. The only difference I can think of is that it is likely thicker than the windshield glass, but I don't see how that would stop the condensation.
__________________
Paul (KE5LXU) ...was fulltimin', now parttimin'
2022 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
towing 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
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