Ventilation

[SilverEagle6]

We have been on the road since Mid May, almost all the time in cooler weather. We are now in PEI. With the temps rising, we are wanting to open the windows. They are fine with a very slight breeze, much more than that and they close. Is something loose, or is this just another Airstream characteristic that one must put up with?

[mefly2]

Are you engaging / snapping in the levers in the detents ... if so and they are still closing, something is wrong ... hard to believe that it is all the windows.

[SilverEagle6]

Yes we are properly opening the windows, yes, all except the front, and it has the rock guard shield.

Anyone else experience this?.... Solutions?

[LongShot]

Be sure that BOTH lever/handles go into the indent area. Visually look to see that they are 'locked' in the open position (one on each side). Once in the locked position, they should be secure, even in a howling wind.

Again, look for the 'indents' along each side just inside the window when opened and make sure the lever/handle arm securely gets into the appropriate indent.

[SilverEagle6]

Ok, one more time, the windows are properly opened and secured in their slot. Very simply, the wind is pushing on the outside of the window, the arm stays in their slot, but the window closes.

Has this happened to anyone else?...what was the solution.

I found some old post where people rigged a stick to prevent the window from closing. If I have to go that route I will, just seems to me there must be a better solution, or maybe a better design. Previous RV's had sliding windows, no issues.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by SilverEagle6

Ok, one more time, the windows are properly opened and secured in their slot. Very simply, the wind is pushing on the outside of the window, the arm stays in their slot, but the window closes.

Has this happened to anyone else?...what was the solution.

I found some old post where people rigged a stick to prevent the window from closing. If I have to go that route I will, just seems to me there must be a better solution, or maybe a better design. Previous RV's had sliding windows, no issues.

Could you share a picture of what you're talking about - including how you've secured the arms to the indents? When you say the arm stays in the slots but the window still closes, I just can't visualize that as a possibility. Maybe some pics would help?

[Sbb]

Maybe for so e reason her window arms are not attached to glass. Fyi the front window opens too, just put rock guard up, great breeze from there. Tonight is very hot, I even have my egress window with a block holding it open.

[switz]

Our rear bed room "escape" rear window on the Classic in the first open notch will close with little wind pressure. The middle and top (wide open) position will hold. I think the angle of the arm does not exert enough leverage to keep the window open.

[SilverEagle6]

Switzerland, thanks for understanding the issue and more importantly confirming that, it happens. I'm sure others have experienced it, so if there is a good solution, pls let me know. When we get home next month, I'll try to make something and let you know what I came up with.

Thanks.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by SilverEagle6

Ok, one more time, the windows are properly opened and secured in their slot. Very simply, the wind is pushing on the outside of the window, the arm stays in their slot, but the window closes.

Has this happened to anyone else?...what was the solution.

I found some old post where people rigged a stick to prevent the window from closing. If I have to go that route I will, just seems to me there must be a better solution, or maybe a better design. Previous RV's had sliding windows, no issues.

Hard to visualize as in order for the window to close, the arm must move out of the detent ... if it is still in the lowest slot and the window flops, then perhaps the detent is not holding. Several; of our windows exhibit the same situation if they are not fully "clicked" into the lowest position. The side strips with the slots / detents are easily replaced (possibly, you are still under warranty). We have had several of the strips that were not properly secured to the side of the window frame.

People are trying to be helpful to you ...

[Beach Bum]

Ours has the same closing issue with the window by the gaucho. We just use the middle or upper slot. The rest of our windows work fine. Still under warranty will have dealer look at it in November when they are doing the remainder of our warranty items. Will let you know what the say.

[switz]

The arms are fully seated in the bottom slot of the rear window that serves also as the emergency escape. This is a huge window and the arm angle lacks the leverage to keep the window open if a small gust of wind hits the open window. The big concern is the window could blow closed and be locked for travel as it looks like it was properly closed putting stress on both the glass and the arms.

All our other window arms operate as intended.

[Gearheart]

I am visualizing the wind first lifting the window to clear the arm from the notch and then the window closes due to gravity??

[SilverEagle6]

Gearhart, the wind pushes on the window down, not up....at least that is what I noticed...it happens quick.

Beach Bum, thanks, and please let me know what you find out.

Switz, I will try using the second slot and see if the windows close on their own.

[SilverEagle6]

Came up with a partial/temporary solution. Found some suction cups that a wood dowel can be inserted into. Whatever the distance is when the window is opened to the first slot, the dowel and two suction cups will be threat length. Will have the suction cup "attached" inside the window in the lower middle edge and the other end will just rest against the frame. Due to the downward pressure on the window, hopefully this will help from the window collapsing. If it works, will,take some pics.

We are in Saint John NB, raining so hard I have not tried the middle slot.

Beach Bum, still let me know what you find out.

[Jim Flower]

Originally Posted by SilverEagle6

We have been on the road since Mid May, almost all the time in cooler weather. We are now in PEI. With the temps rising, we are wanting to open the windows. They are fine with a very slight breeze, much more than that and they close. Is something loose, or is this just another Airstream characteristic that one must put up with?

All of my windows behave the same way. I just go with the flow. The rational being if they don't stay open, it's too windy. Close them. Phenomena is related to the Newfoundland weather station. Incidentally, I have been to Saint John about 30 times over the past 10 years and it has rained every time except in the winter and then it snows. Really enjoying your log. Jim


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[SilverEagle6]

Thanks Jim...sent you a PM.

[Beach Bum]

Originally Posted by SilverEagle6

Gearhart, the wind pushes on the window down, not up....at least that is what I noticed...it happens quick.

Beach Bum, thanks, and please let me know what you find out.

Switz, I will try using the second slot and see if the windows close on their own.

I had the tech at Sanders look at the window. There is no fix. Switz had it right there is not enough angle angle in the lower slot of that window to hold it open in the wind. It appears AS uses the same arm holding brackets for all the windows so the arm angle varies depending on the window size and where its installed.

I guess one could move the bracket higher to create a larger angle but that could create a problem of the upper slot being to high. For me it's not worth the effort to futz with it.

[OTRA15]

I assume everyone is talking about the windows pictured below, which are common to the Flying Cloud line, I believe, and not to other lines such as the Sport which has those dinky little slide-open mini-windows with a large pane of FIXED glass above? ["Hehr" windows?]

With regard to the windows closing in the wind, in my opinion this happens when two opposing forces become imbalanced:

1. Gravity and friction -- two properly engaged-in-the-indent support arms rely on gravity to keep the arms in the indents, and on friction not to come out of the indents;

2. Air lifting the window from below (IMO), which -- especially for a wide-open window -- has lots of leverage (distance away from the fulcrum/hinge on top) to lift the glass and overpower gravity/friction holding the support arm in the indent.

Et Voila!

A window which closes itself (because gravity usually wins in the absence of an equal and opposite force . . . )

Clear as smoked glass?

The two windows next to the dinette on the road side of our Flying Cloud 20:

[OTRA15]

PS -- I am personally very grateful that our FC20 has these windows, which are similar to the older ones in my 25' AS from the 1990's. Without these large opening screened windows, roughing it without AC would be impossible in the summer IMO. I don't know how people do it with the Sport's mini-sliders.

PS2 -- SilverEagle6, if your window support arms are properly engaged in the indents at the bottom, where they meet the receiving slot with 3 or so indents to receive them, it is unlikely that a wind pushing down on the windows is causing them to close IMO, unless perhaps there is a slight updraft (not perceived?) first which disengages things. Can you post some photos? Your 2013 set up may be different than our 2014 model year Flying Cloud . . .

Thanks.