visibility thru Window rock shield

[Grand Master]

I have a 1963 Tradewind with the original corrogated fiberglass rock shield. The aluminum frame is good, but the fiberglass is uglied out.

Of course the fiberglass shield blocks visability through the front and back windows while towing, so I am considering the solar gray / black acrylic as a replacement.


The black looks cool, but I doubt if you can see through it while towing. Any technical advice about how dark is dark enough to look good, but still allows visability? If you can see through the windows, is the awning shade effect negated?

Thanks,
Mike Brumback

[vswingfield]

My ’67 Trade Wind has never, in my possession, had a rock guard. Even with the curtains open, I have never seen enough through the windows to make the view worthwhile. My guess is that this is really a non-issue, so go for the coolest solar gray you can find.

Best of luck, and keep us informed.

As always, more pictures.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Grand Master

I have a 1963 Tradewind with the original corrogated fiberglass rock shield. The aluminum frame is good, but the fiberglass is uglied out.

Of course the fiberglass shield blocks visability through the front and back windows while towing, so I am considering the solar gray / black acrylic as a replacement.


The black looks cool, but I doubt if you can see through it while towing. Any technical advice about how dark is dark enough to look good, but still allows visability? If you can see through the windows, is the awning shade effect negated?

Thanks,
Mike Brumback

We tested a "back up" monitor leaving it on for over 3 weeks, wihout a failure.

The distance between the monitor and receiver was 150 feet.

If you install a rear view monitor on the trailer license plate, and hook it into the clearance light circuit, then it will be on, whenever the clearance and tail lights are on.

During the day, you can be selective, if you wish.

At night, it would always be on, as long as the trailer lights were on.

They work very well, and cost less than $100.00 at many places, such as Costco.

This would solve your "need to see" behind the trailer when towing, with ease.

Andy

[vswingfield]

Great idea, Andy!

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

We tested a "back up" monitor leaving it on for over 3 weeks, wihout a failure.

The distance between the monitor and receiver was 150 feet.

If you install a rear view monitor on the trailer license plate, and hook it into the clearance light circuit, then it will be on, whenever the clearance and tail lights are on.

During the day, you can be selective, if you wish.

At night, it would always be on, as long as the trailer lights were on.

They work very well, and cost less than $100.00 at many places, such as Costco.

This would solve your "need to see" behind the trailer when towing, with ease.

Andy

I am interested in learning more about low cost back up monitor options where else and how much? I was at a RV retail store over the weekend and was told the systems run about a grand.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

I was at a RV retail store over the weekend and was told the systems run about a grand.

That is not entirely correct. I was at Camping World yesterday, and saw them with prices ranging from $149-499. Maybe if they hard-wired the camera and monitor into the coach wiring, and had to rip apart multiple panels, it could be that much.
This one is $119:
Wireless Back-Up Camera System with Color LCD Monitor - Camping World

[davidz71]

I've started leaving curtains in the front and back of the trailer open while towing because I can see DRL's and/or headlights of following vehicles through the solar gray rock guard and windows.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by overlander63

This one is $119:
Wireless Back-Up Camera System with Color LCD Monitor - Camping World

I just had time to hunt down the specs for that one, it has a range of 19 feet. So, unless you have a Yugo, and are towing a Bubble, that won't work so well...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I just had time to hunt down the specs for that one, it has a range of 19 feet. So, unless you have a Yugo, and are towing a Bubble, that won't work so well...

Terry.

That is the same unit that we tested that worked at 150 feet.

Andy

[dwightdi]

You should be able to buy medium tint acrylic or Lexan 1/8 in sheet from you local home store for less than $20 that would be about like the original equipment sold on later model trailers. If you really want to see who is following you, the trailer mirrors are sufficient for most people. In the flat country, where yoou are from, people will pass you when they get a chance. I would not worry about slowing traffic down in Indiana. They have always blown by me when I drove there.

[CanoeStream]

There's an advantage to the narrowness of a vintage unit. My 8'6" Safari isn't that much wider than my Argosy but it sure makes a difference for rear visibility out the side mirrors!

I towed the Argosy from out East without a rockguard in place. The large untinted front window allowed me to monitor my rear as Mike is asking. It really only worked with excellent outdoor lighting or else after headlights were on. I'd never advise using it for a sudden decision to make a turn or traffic move. A good pilot (and Airstream hauler) always flys out in front of their plane -- situational awareness counts.

[Melody Ranch]

I replaced the fiberglass protector with a 5/16, scratch resistant, dark tinted Lexan. Look at the front of any Airstream and see gravel/debris pitting. They call 'em wintow protectors for a reason. You have Corning glass? You want it protected. I wish mine was darker only because of the excessive light coming in and I am in the front seating area. As mentioned above, I have also found it a better driving feel when both front and rear curtains are opened and I can see thru to the road conditions behind. The use of rear viewing cameras, and relying on them for parking in close areas, is a good reason you see MANY Airstreams with mashed in rear panels. Use a person to marshal you in and out of tight spaces and don't ever be one who says "I think I can make it."

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

They work very well, and cost less than $100.00 at many places, such as Costco.

This would solve your "need to see" behind the trailer when towing, with ease.

Andy

I saw one at Costco last Saturday that had a color camera and night vision for $79. It transmitted its signal in the 2.4 gigahertz frequency. It could be attached to the license plate frame or mounted on the trailer itself. I was tempted....

Jack

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

I saw one at Costco last Saturday that had a color camera and night vision for $79. It transmitted its signal in the 2.4 gigahertz frequency. It could be attached to the license plate frame or mounted on the trailer itself. I was tempted....

Jack

Santa (Jan) brought me the Costco $79 camera this past Christmas. The first one did not work at all and was exchanged for another. This one works, barely. The picture shakes and rolls. I have moved the antenna several times with little luck. Mine is mounted on the rear plate of my TV...

[Jim & Susan]

I did something like Melody Ranch: http://www.airforums.com/forums/496827-post466.html

Jim

[Argy 78]

Good ideas for use on flat windows but other than the newer wrap around shields, what other options could be use to protect the front windows on an Argosy?

[CanoeStream]

About the only thing for full pano windows - http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...nuet-9638.html. I did my own -- a bit easier than Gary's project since I didn't have to do the cut-down for the narrower Minuet body. There are still a few pointers I would add. Guess I should post there again ... some day.

[Lumatic]

It has been my practice to tow without a rockguard leaving the shades up in the front and rear and having a straight shot, though limited, view threw my rearview mirror. Being in the process of replacing my wing windows I don't want to go through that again, so I am breaking down and installing a rock guard. I have a vintage rock guard and replacing the broken opaque white plastic with clear 1/16" Lexan. 1/16" is very close to the thickness of the original. Tinted Lexan was not in stock in my area and although I could order it with the tinting and shipping charges would cost me 3x the cost of clear. As I want the rock shield as a rock shield the tint is not an issue and hopefully will still let me use my rear view mirror view through the trailer. I had to buy a full sheet of Lexan. Cost about $55. With the extra I will cut out the centers of my roof vents and make skylights and cut out a piece to cover my window next to my entry door to stick decals to. I'm thinking about one of those monitors though.