Need windows for '69 Tradewind

[poppyb]

I'm looking for 2 replacement windows for our 69 Tradewind. The previous owner glued a piece of plexiglass over a shattered front window. Needless to say, it leaks like crazy. The window to the right of the door is also cracked. This trailer's traveling days are over. It's parked and is becoming a guesthouse. We're in WA state so waterproof is a main priority.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by poppyb

I'm looking for 2 replacement windows for our 69 Tradewind. The previous owner glued a piece of plexiglass over a shattered front window. Needless to say, it leaks like crazy. The window to the right of the door is also cracked. This trailer's traveling days are over. It's parked and is becoming a guesthouse. We're in WA state so waterproof is a main priority.

You need a front window and a medium curved window.

CAUTION.

In both cases, the window hinge must be removed and installed on the new windows.

Airstream used a very different window hing in 1969 and refuses to have any windows with the correct hinge.

If you install a new window, without chaging the hinge, most of the hinge rivets will snap off the very first time you lower the window.

Some owners, carefully remove the original hinges and send them to the dealer that they are purchasing the new windows from. Then, when the new windows arrice, you won't have any problems.

Andy

[poppyb]

How do you remove the old hinges -- drill out the old rivets?? If so, what size drill bit should we use?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by poppyb

How do you remove the old hinges -- drill out the old rivets?? If so, what size drill bit should we use?

You must drill out the rivets with a #30 drill bit.

The new small rivets fit that same hole.

Older trailer window availabilty right now, from Airstream, is sort of very poor.

Some take up to 6 weeks.

Andy

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by poppyb

How do you remove the old hinges -- drill out the old rivets?? If so, what size drill bit should we use?

You remove the hinge by drilling out the old rivets with a 1/8" or #30 drill. You can reinstall the hinge by using pop rivets. Just make sure the rivet head is facing the trailer. That way the part that mushes out won't interfere with the operation of the window. Also, you can get the windows from any Airstream dealer.

[poppyb]

Thanks for the tips, especially to make sure the rivet head faces the trailer. That makes sense and we probably would have done it the other way. Has anyone taken the old frames to an auto glass place and had new glass made? The window on the end doesn't have curved corners, so it seems like that might work. How about plexiglass for the curved windows? The Airstream windows are very expensive. We're not taking it on the road, just need it to be waterproof.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by poppyb

Thanks for the tips, especially to make sure the rivet head faces the trailer. That makes sense and we probably would have done it the other way. Has anyone taken the old frames to an auto glass place and had new glass made? The window on the end doesn't have curved corners, so it seems like that might work. How about plexiglass for the curved windows? The Airstream windows are very expensive. We're not taking it on the road, just need it to be waterproof.

DO NOT use plexiglass.

It does not have a UV guard, and will crack and craze from the sun as quick as 30 days.

But you can use "LEXAN", which does fine in the sun, as well as being very strong. Rocks won't break it.

The "big" problem replacing just the glass, is two fold.

One, the gray gasket is not available,

Two, it's very doubtful that the glass frame (sash) can be reassembled properly, because of the two steel plates holding the 2 halves together, that cannot be seen.

Insurance, even home owners, covers the glass.

Andy

Andy