I have an Excella with the following ID number: E31-DJ6-3099. Can anyone explain what these numbers mean and tell me what year my trailer was made. I need to replace the front right wing window with frame, so will need to learn about riveting removal and installation, and a good source for the replacement window. Many thanks, Charles
Charles. First you have the J and 6 reversed.
You have a 1976 Excella 31 foot trailer, with a double bed or side pull out along with a rear bathroom, that was made in Jackson Center, Ohio.
You are right, it is E31-D6J-3099. This is a 1976? My title says 1979, but is it determined in the ID number by the "6" after the "D"? It does have the rear bath with the twin beds along the side. I'm facing a replacement of the door-side front wing window and would like to find the window frame with the double glass, like is installed now. I understand that only single-pane window frame is available new. Would it make sense to search for a good used window in the salvage yards? Thanks,
Thanks, John. I will check it out. It seems this is my only hope of finding a replacement front right wing window frame with the double glass, to keep my Excella 500 as original as possible.
Yes, I had heard that the only new replacement wing window frames have single glass in them. Seems this would compromise insulation properties. Why would they reduce the number of glass panes down to one? If you are going to go to all the trouble of drilling out all the rivets and replacing the entire frame, you would want the same quality that came originally.
My hope is to find a good used window frame with the double glass, and I will start calling around the salvage yards to see if I can locate one.
The double pane windows were discontinued for two basic reasons.
First, was the cost.
Second, when they leak, and sooner or later most all the double pane wing and vista view windows will, it's pure hell to fix them, AND, to stay fixed.
The leakage problem starts with the flexing that the trailers experience. When you can stop that, then, and only then, maybe, the long term leakage problem may stop. Until such time, replacement is the best answer. Not cheap, but it is the answer.
Most owners want an Airstream, because it's the first class way to go. Why then some elect to repair it less than first class, I will never understand.
If money was the object, then why did they purchase the Airstream to begin with.
But, who are we to be question what others may choose to do?
It's their trailer, and their money.
I would like to do a first class job in replacing this window, do go with the high quality of the Excella, and cost is secondary. But it appears that the double pane replacement windows are not available new from Airstream. My only hope then is to find a good used window with the double pane glass in it from a salvage yard. Isn't there also insulation properties that the double pane window has that will be lost going with the single pane replacement?
Yes, that makes sense to me. But I cannot find a replacement wing window with the double glass in it. All that is available are the cheaper single pane. I really don't want to compromise my Excella by putting an inferior window into it, that will not match with the window on the other side. In this case, my only hope is to find an Excella 500 that is being parted out that still has this window in it. Not easy. Thanks, Charles
Craig. Single pane replacement windows are available through the dealers.
Something new however from Airstream just yesterday, is that they are phasing out all of the original "clear" glass windows. In the future only solar gray windows will be available.
Therefore in the not to distant future, we will see trailers with clear and solar gray windows.
I suppose thats not as bad as a plywood window???????
Perhaps we should look into a program of rebuilding an old frame using new gasket and Acrylite AR-2, since we already rebuild the motorhome windows for a national glass distributor.
Quick Links
Window Frame Replacement
Linear Mode
