'66 Caravel Window hinge

[JMoy]

Hi,

I have begun the restoration of my 66 Caravel. While cleaning and repairing windows, I found that the small window (above sink) is missing the hinge that holds the window and slides into the bracket attached to the trailer.

I know I am asking alot here, but is this part available anywhere. I hope I don't have to wait forever to find an original part somewhere.

Thanks for your assistance.

Jerry

[JMoy]

I had the fortune of visiting another 66 Caravel in my area. I noticed that the Caravel's Kitchen window was the same as mine. I am posting a picture to see if other 66 Caravel owners kitchen window looks the same.

66 Owners please respond as to how your kitchen window looks. The part I am most interested in knowing about is the extra hinge piece that all other windows have that the kitchen window does not.

Thanks

Jerry

[hhuber]

Jerry,
That seems to be how my window looks but I'm not sure of what you mean really. Put a picture of the other hinges so I can see. I have all intact windows so far and they are all the same. I'll take some closeups if you need them.


Heidi

P.S. '66,'67,'68 windows all the same.

[rluhr]

I'd be happy to shoot a closeup of mine but I need a little more info to be sure what you're talking about. Perhaps this will help me also, by identifying what the heck is leaking on my side windows!

[JMoy]

I will post some more pictures tomorrow showing close ups of the side windows (that have an extra hinge piece) and the kitchen window (which does not). I think this is by design. The kitchen window on mine and the other 66 I looked at were exactly the same. The top portion on the kitchen window hinge is even different from the other windows.

Jerry

[hhuber]

Jerry,
Did you get my pictures?
All of mine are the same. I'm wondering...
Heidi

[JMoy]

Heidi,

I did get you pictures you sent. Thanks it was what I was looking for.

As for the windows, I think the windows on a 68 are a little different than on a 66. My windows slide into a channel on a fixed hinge bracket. This hinge bracket then slides into a hinge on the trailer body. I will upload some close ups tomorrow.

Jerry

[JMoy]

Oh, by the way, the other 66 I looked at had all original glass windows...I was jealous....

[hhuber]

Jerry'
I do think the hinges may be different. We need Andy to the rescue. Maybe he'll respond. At any rate I have already gone out inthe dark and taken these. Kitchen first.

Heidi

[hhuber]

Side window.

[Stefrobrts]

Your windows look so naked to me without the metal trim around the edges...

[JMoy]

I agree. This is the last window I have to complete. All the rest have been resealed, replaced (except the one original glass), framed and new clips.

From the picture you attached, your hinge set looks like mine. Compare it with your other window hinges. Is it the same? I will be attaching more pictures tomorrow.

Once I get this issue settled, this window will be replaced and framed out.

[JMoy]

OK, here is the front window hinge. As you can see it has a 2 piece hinge that the window slides into and that hinge slides into another on the trailer. All windows but the kithen window attach this way.

[JMoy]

Here is the kitchen window. Notice the absence of the extra hinge piece that the window fits into. Also notice what appears to be a type of drip cap over the hinge. You can't really see it in this picture, but the hinge has little gripper teeth on it to hlod the window in place.

[rluhr]

I guess the windows of the 1966-1968 models aren't exactly the same after all! See my picture.

Note that I have no drip cap, nor the double-hinge arrangement that jmoy describes. All of my windows are like this.

And despite the fact that they look tight and well vulkem-ed, they LEAK. Argh!

-- RL

[InsideOut]

I guess the windows of the 1966-1968 models aren't exactly the same after all!

The difference could just as easily be a CA vs OH thing. Several times, we have been at rallies and had the "exact same" trailers parked side by side...one from OH & one from CA, but both '64 GlobeTrotters. There were as many differences as there were similarities...could this explain your differences?

Shari

[hhuber]

Your windows look so naked to me without the metal trim around the edges...

I think actually that was the idea. They look really cool without the frames. Unfortunately it's real hard to see them once your start having a little fun!

Heidi

[rluhr]

Hmmm, just came up with a theory. If you look at my picture (three posts above), you'll see a big bead of Vulkem along the top edge of the window hinge. The theory is that this bead is actually concealing a little rain gutter, and this is causing the leak. Without the rain gutter, water runs over the top of the hinge and into the gap just below, rather than being diverted to the sides. Anyone with similar windows care to comment?

I'm going to go dig the Vulkem out of one of them on the next sunny day to find out.

-- RL

PS: Shari, you might be right. Mine is an Ohio Caravel. Since jmoy is from Seattle it's likely he's got a California model. Jmoy, can you check your serial #? It should be something like O176xyyy, where the x ="J" for Jackson Center, or something else for California. yyy is the production number. (The O means Overlander trim, the 17 is the length, and "6" refers to 1966.)

[JMoy]

Our trailer is from 0hio, SN JO176515. The other 66 Caravel I have located here in Seattle is from California. It has the same window hinges as mine. But there are alot of other diffences. The interior color, the countertops and table, the latches on the doors...

I am pretty convinced at this point that I am not missing anything and will proceed to replace this one last window and all my windows will be complete (and hopefully leak free).

Thanks everyone for your help.

Jerry

[JimC]

Just ran outside to look.

My 67 tradewind made in Ohio has all original glass, and all hinges are identical. They have the two piece hinge that JMoy pictured and described.

Jim