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ElCamino Man · 08-26-2013, 02:38 PM

Hey guys! Im contemplating buying another Airstream. Its a wonderful trailer at a good price. Theres only one thing I dislike about it: no panoramic front window. This isn't a "huge" deal but its pretty big in my books. Is it possible to swap out windows without having to go to the Airstream factory and have it professionally installed? Id hate to see that bill

idroba · 08-26-2013, 02:53 PM

I doubt that even the AS factory would undertake such a conversion. There are structural differences as I recall, but not positive about that. At any rate the cost of the windows alone would be around $2000 and then the labor, and on and on. Find one with pano windows to begin with, you will be much better off.

ElCamino Man · 08-26-2013, 03:00 PM

Im sure theyres used ones out there somewhere, although few and far between... That's the route I was planed on taking

Belegedhel · 08-26-2013, 03:36 PM

What year is the trailer you are looking at? The long answer to your question is that it would not be possible to install the wrap-around "panoramic" windows like you see in modern trailers in a trailer older than 1969 because the body is simply shaped differently. The Argosy trailers built in the 1970s had the same body shape as the Airstreams in the 70's, but they had the wrap around windows that were larger than the little wings you see on the 70's vintage trailers. You could take the windows out of an Argosy and put them in a 70's era AS, but you really wouldn't be changing things dramatically by doing so, and the work required to do so just couldn't be justified.

Installing a wing window in a trailer is far from trivial. You would have to cut both the shell and the interior skin, possibly reroute wiring, and come up with some kind of moulding/trim for around the window on the inside. To do it "right," you would need to pull the interior skins out so that you could buck rivet the new window into place.

Better to just find a trailer that suits your desires and worry about all of the normal problems (axle replacement, rotting floor, rear end separation, fickle appliances, etc.). No need to create problems.

ElCamino Man · 08-26-2013, 03:48 PM

Its a '75 Overlander. If its gonna be a huge deal to do, then I may just skip it. It has the vista view windows, so I think I could live without it

ElCamino Man · 08-30-2013, 03:34 PM

Got a message back from Airstream. They said depending on what model I have, it could be possible, and based on others they have done, around $8500. That's an EXPENSIVE window lol

Belegedhel · 08-30-2013, 03:43 PM

Seems a little steep, but it is major surgery, much more than just a window replacement. Sounds like the kind of price people quote when they really have no interest in the work.

bredlo · 08-30-2013, 04:01 PM

Almost seems like swapping a whole cap - with the window you want - would be less work!

Inland RV Center, In · 08-30-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElCamino Man

Got a message back from Airstream. They said depending on what model I have, it could be possible, and based on others they have done, around $8500. That's an EXPENSIVE window lol

Changing out the front shell, would cost half that in parts alone.

There is additional framing withing the walls, for the pano windows.

Andy

JimGolden · 08-30-2013, 05:34 PM

Are you good with snips and a rivet gun? If so, I'd do it myself. It would be a lot of work, but nothing you couldn't do.

Now if you're going to farm it out, then I'd follow what the other folks said and just buy another trailer.

Best of luck whichever route you go!

ElCamino Man · 09-01-2013, 06:55 AM

If its possible whatsoever, Id be "half" wiling to do it depending on time. My father in law is a pro at anything "Shop" related so if it did need bracing, he would know where to get the metal and be able to TIG it in place. Would it be worth it? Still debatable...

Inland RV Center, In · 09-01-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElCamino Man

If its possible whatsoever, Id be "half" wiling to do it depending on time. My father in law is a pro at anything "Shop" related so if it did need bracing, he would know where to get the metal and be able to TIG it in place. Would it be worth it? Still debatable...

Is it worth it??

That seeks an opinion.

Only yours really matters.

Cost to some, is everything, but also to some, it means nothing.

Andy

ElCamino Man · 09-01-2013, 05:44 PM

It's sorta like fast cars lol

It's not the miles per gallon, it's the smiles per mile!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-01-2013, 06:09 PM

Hi, I know this isn't what you want to hear/read, but for $8,500.00 it would be better to just go outside for that fantastic view. We love our little windows.