Door windows vs. no door windows?

My 31' 1976 Sovereign doesnt have a window in the door. On smaller units this to me doesn't look bad but on the larger units the window in the door just asthetically looks better. I've looked through the photo archives and I came across a 31' 76 that has the window in the door and I've come across photos of 76's and 77's without. (no 75's) What year did Aistream start putting windows in the doors of the Sovereigns, Early on, was it an option? As you can tell I'd like to have a window in the door of my Sovereign. Anyone with experience adding a window or should I look for a door from a junker?

Thanks
Jack

[airstream4]

I just bought a 78 25' Tradewind that has a window in the door! My 78 sovereign 31' has no window! Maybe an option? Replacing the door is major work!

[till]

I'm working on putting one on my 67, but it will be a cutom job all the way. I have to re-skin my door anyway, so I figured "Why not"

[Anon]

I want to find a door from a 1980-82 Caravelle 20 footer. Or something like it.
Those had the windows in the doors.
I want to replace the one on my Minuet.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by pmissar

I just bought a 78 25' Tradewind that has a window in the door! My 78 sovereign 31' has no window! Maybe an option?

It may also be a CA vs Ohio thing...it seems there are more CA Airstreams with jalousie windows vs OH with fixed pane. Maybe the windows in the doors follow suit...then again, maybe not.

Shari

[Anon]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

It may also be a CA vs Ohio thing...it seems there are more CA Airstreams with jalousie windows vs OH with fixed pane. Maybe the windows in the doors follow suit...then again, maybe not.

Shari

Good thread!
I am not sure if they would follow along those lines or not. The sealed radius windows were not really popular until the early 80's. Maybe the late 70's but I have not seen any of them myself.
Thanks, Shari.

[airstream4]

one differance between my two 1978 trailers is that the 25' Tradewind has double pane windows with a window in the door and my 31' Sovereign has single pane windows with no window in door.
Looking at MY OPTIONS SHEET 1978 MODELS the answer is "Main door with nitro Pane window" $116.40 retail
I had the answer in front of me all the time!

[Hit'nMiss]

Yes this is a good subject but so far no cigar on any definitive answers overall.

• First Craftsman how bout asking a Moderator* to change the subject title to "Door Windows vs. No Door Windows" This question is larger than just the Sovereign crowd and your title may discourage some from looking into the thread.

Obviously from the PMissar's document the window was an option at one time in '78.

• pmissar would you be able to post a copy of that sheet? or perhaps send me a copy of it snail mail? If willing please PM me. What other literature do you have concerning the 78s or any other year?

• patterson what do you mean by a "sealed radius" window?

The jaloise window vs fixed glass is also a subject that deserves an accurate discussion as to when and why they changed. That could be handled here or in another thread.

This could develop into a valuable (and interesting) thread.

Flicka

* As required by the Thought Police Patriot Act of 4-2005

I say "Change the title". It would be interesting to know when Airstream began putting, or offering windows in the doors and on which models starting in what year. It seems to me I saw a photo of a 77 Sovereign with a door window. Was that an option? At some point someone needs to write a serious book on Airstream noting the changes with each model and year. Nice pictures would be O.K. too.

[2airishuman]

craftsman

my 79 as motorhome came with a solid door. as part of an extreme make over i had a sealed radius double glass window added to the door it was exact size of galley windows and looked great. also had a built in shade and some sort of moisture absorbing crystals between the 2 layers of glass. looked original (except it no longer matched the picture on the owners manual) and the added light was significant.

i also had a single glass pop out screened window added to the shower /curb side wall. again the same size as the others but this window was mirrored one way so no one could see in but added great light to the shower (there was no skylight) and a way to vent humidity or allow a nice breeze during hot summer days/showers. was done in such a way that water couldn't get into the wall space and well worth the cost...for both windows.

cheers
2air'

[aztlanco]

This is a good thread.
I would like to see some pictures posted from those who already have windows or are in the process of installing one, as I am also interested in installing one on my Traveler. I have a son who owns a glass business in Albuquerque N.M. and he could possibly make one for me with frame and all but he would need pictures and dimensions. Thank to all.
Ernie
'58 Traveler, 18ft.

[kayelm]

I really like the round window in Vintage Vacations' '61 Globetrotter. http://www.vintage-vacations.com/61airstream_1.htm

I am not sure I am up to doing something like that myself. Would love to have one though.

Kaye

[Tarheel]

My 74 International 32' had a solid door.

[balrgn]

My '75 Trade Wind has no window in the door. But it does have 3 to the front side of it. Plenty of light, some times too much, if ya know what I mean

[Anon]

Originally Posted by HitnMiss

Yes this is a good subject but so far no cigar on any definitive answers overall.

• First Craftsman how bout asking a Moderator* to change the subject title to "Door Windows vs. No Door Windows" This question is larger than just the Sovereign crowd and your title may discourage some from looking into the thread.

Obviously from the PMissar's document the window was an option at one time in '78.

• pmissar would you be able to post a copy of that sheet? or perhaps send me a copy of it snail mail? If willing please PM me. What other literature do you have concerning the 78s or any other year?

• patterson what do you mean by a "sealed radius" window?

The jaloise window vs fixed glass is also a subject that deserves an accurate discussion as to when and why they changed. That could be handled here or in another thread.

This could develop into a valuable (and interesting) thread.

Flicka

* As required by the Thought Police Patriot Act of 4-2005

I now have a copy of the options sheet for the 1978 Airstream line.
The door window was offered as an option then. I know that it was not offered on the 1973. My dad ordered every possible option on his 1973 Sov. LY, incuding the International package. It has EVERYTHING including the optional L-Gaucho up front and the optional mid-ship queen bed. Loaded to the hilt.

[Anon]

Originally Posted by HitnMiss

Yes this is a good subject but so far no cigar on any definitive answers overall.[list][list][*]patterson what do you mean by a "sealed radius" window?

This could develop into a valuable (and interesting) thread.

Flicka

Flicka,
A sealed radius window has been made for years. Hehr made them by the millions for the SOB market. They still do.
Any "rounded" window could be considered a sealed radius window. I have always referred to them as a sealed radius window.

[smily]

I have a window for the door but it is opaque glass, (like a bathroom glass) you cant see through it but all of the light and you can see if some one is at the door.

It has all of the frame and is not that hard to install, cut hole in door and rivet frames on each side of door.

130 dollars and shipping.

Smily

[Hit'nMiss]

Well Smily hows about a "rest of the story" to go with your sales pitch.

What did it come off of (model) and how did you end up with it?
What became of the door it is out of?
Do you think the opaque is stock or a re-glaze. I hope it is tempered or safety.

thanks
Flicka

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by Craftsman

My 31' 1976 Sovereign doesnt have a window in the door. On smaller units this to me doesn't look bad but on the larger units the window in the door just asthetically looks better. I've looked through the photo archives and I came across a 31' 76 that has the window in the door and I've come across photos of 76's and 77's without. (no 75's) What year did Aistream start putting windows in the doors of the Sovereigns, Early on, was it an option? As you can tell I'd like to have a window in the door of my Sovereign. Anyone with experience adding a window or should I look for a door from a junker? Thanks, Jack

Hi Jack:

The 1977 Airstream catalog states a [fixed] window in the door is a "new for 1977" option, apparently available on all trailers at extra cost. "A new window in the main door brings more light into the living area while allowing you to see out."

It is not mentioned in the 1976 catalog. Airstream model years are not calendar years, but begin about 6 months earlier. So, the fixed window in door option may have appeared on trailers beginning in mid summer 1976. Some of those trailers may have been reigistered with states during 1976 as 1976 instead of 1977 trailers. Or, maybe the fixed window on door option was available on some 1976 model year trailers before the 1977 model year began.

Fifteen years earlier, the 1961-63 Bambi had a jalousie window in the main door as the only curb side window. In the early years it was optional with the then standard door-within-a door, but in the later years it may have been the standard door feature for Bambis only. The 1964 Bambi II also had a jalousie window in the door, but it supplemented a curb side galley window. Offhand, I can't think of any other pre-1977 trailers that had a window within a door as opposed to a door within a door, which last appeared in 1964.

Incidentially, we have a small Bambi-rama building at our 2005 Rocky Mt. VAC Rally with 5 now signed up: a 2002 19 footer, a 1961 16 footer, and three 1964 17' Bambi IIs. It will be fun comparing them to each other.

[smily]

Are you interested in the window?

I dont know what model it came off of. It is stock opaque and not a glaze
It was actually a Bathroom window and not specifically for a door. And seeing that it is still attached to the Sheetmetal (aluminum skin of Airstream) that it came from I would venture to say it is tempered. (OEM Airstream).
I bought it with intentions of installing in the door of a 79 Sovereign I once owned, I sold the Sovereign before I got a chance to install the window.

I do have the interior and exterior frame. they are still riveted to the skin. Skin was cut from Airstream. All parts are accounted for including the rivets

Originally Posted by HitnMiss

Well Smily hows about a "rest of the story" to go with your sales pitch.

What did it come off of (model) and how did you end up with it?
What became of the door it is out of?
Do you think the opaque is stock or a re-glaze. I hope it is tempered or safety.

thanks
Flicka