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386kustoms · 02-17-2011, 08:12 PM

as you know im a proud owner of a 66 safari and i was just curious about the side glass. they just seem very flimsy when opend. are they known for just shattering or anythign like that? i read that the 68 has a metal frame around the glass, can that be put on teh 66 as well or will it not fit?

ddstech · 02-17-2011, 08:58 PM

I have run my head into those windows more then once by the door. It does not feel good, however they did not shatter for what it's worth.....

dibAL · 02-17-2011, 09:00 PM

As I understand it, 386kustoms, '66,'67 &'68's are unique in having the frameless curved Corning glass. I am fairly sure a framed window cannot be substituted. As an added bonus, these windows are nearly invisible from the side when open which adds a delightful element of concern when set up in close quarters. You should treasure your Cornings as they are difficult to replace.

Inland RV Center, In · 02-17-2011, 09:25 PM

In the 1968 Airstream models, all the opening windows had a metal frame around them.

That frame, could also be installed on the 66 and 67 windows as well.

We had some stainless steel after market metal frames made at one time, but the reject ratio was way too much, therefore we quit it.

The basic reason for the metal frame was additional durability and it also almost stopped people walking into one of those windows when open.

Metallic tape, can be easily added to the exterior edge of the 3 side of the opening windows, so that others could readily see them, when opened.

Andy

386kustoms · 02-17-2011, 09:28 PM

u thought the 68 had the curved glass but with frames around them. am i incorrect on that?

Inland RV Center, In · 02-17-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 386kustoms

u thought the 68 had the curved glass but with frames around them. am i incorrect on that?

1968 Airstream opening windows, did in fact "HAVE" metal frames on the 2 sides and the bottom of each glass, that opened.

Andy

FreshAir · 02-17-2011, 10:57 PM

I forgot to close my front street side window when I pulled our '66 Trade Wind from it's shelter. The open window hooked onto the shelter support and the glass was pulled free from the hinge clamp. The glass hit the ground and fortunately bounced away from the following wheels. It did NOT break. Since we were heading out I put the glass into the trailer, grabbed a tube of clear silicone from my garage and reassembled the window into the hinge when we reached our campground.

Neil

overlander63 · 02-18-2011, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 386kustoms

u thought the 68 had the curved glass but with frames around them. am i incorrect on that?

1968 only had a stainless steel "rim" around them. Aside from making them look "fancy-schmansy", the shiny metal is visible, so you don't wind up inadvertently rendering yourself unconscious because you didn't see the open window. Those "rims" also double as guides to help hold the Lexan in position if you have to replace a broken glass, as the replacement windows are once again NLA.

eubank · 02-18-2011, 08:03 AM

I've certainly binged myself on several occasions on ours. The trick seems to be this: Don't put on a cap and walk near the sides of the Airstream in open-window weather.

As for durability, ah, well, the large one that I installed improperly fell out while we were camped at Zion NP. It bounced off of a metal NPS table and hit the ground. Unbroken.

Lynn

SilverHoot · 02-18-2011, 08:14 AM

I try to open mine all the way, that helps, as then I can walk under without bonking the ol' noggin.

FreshAir · 02-19-2011, 07:28 AM

Most of our windows are 'safe' when openned fully. The worst one if we need open is the one next to the door. MDW to quiet my occassional expletives

clips a stuffed toy on the glass edge with a potato chip bag clip. Works good for us.

Neil

AIR-Quarius · 02-19-2011, 08:29 AM

We fell victim to a weed eater once, and the window shattered like an automobile window---into tiny shattered pieces. A 400.00 fix

FreshAir · 02-19-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airbuckled

We fell victim to a weed eater once, and the window shattered like an automobile window---into tiny shattered pieces. A 400.00 fix

HUH? What...did you throw the weed eater at the window...that's an anger management issue. But I suppose you mean the 'eater' flung a rock. If it was a large stone. better the glass than the aluminum.
Neil

aluminomad · 07-05-2011, 04:36 AM

we have a 68 Safari... she still has 2 orig windows w/metal framing & 4 were replaced, but we were told they no longer come w/metal trim (which makes the black bumper/seal window stuff stick in hot weather... shmeh)

I do not open windows fully horizontal except for 2 small ones... we only open the larger 4 about a foot or so... also put blue tape hanging on edge so nobody walks into them... w/or w/out frame

If anyone needs the HUGE side window... we have the orig from Corning (Stateline was supposed to re-install it, but they goofed & put a new one in, so we kept the orig

If you hang tape or steamers @edge & don't fast crank or open too much... you should be able to keep your windows... I mean really... if you have orig windows think about it... they've lasted this long so w/care... they will last even longer

replacements are WICKED expensive & not as groovy

aluminomad · 07-05-2011, 04:40 AM

& I must say... I love my windows (even the new ones

because we can keep them open during a rain shower (not a wicked storm)

Inland RV Center, In · 07-05-2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aluminomad

& I must say... I love my windows (even the new ones

because we can keep them open during a rain shower (not a wicked storm)

Contrary to some opinions, the 66, 67 and 68 window replacements, cost about 1/4 to 1/3 the price of windows for 1969 to about 2000.

Andy

aluminomad · 07-05-2011, 08:25 AM

makes me like them even more

FreshAir · 07-05-2011, 02:34 PM

I once 'hooked' my street front '66 window (in a hurry and didn't close it

) and pulled it completely out of the clamp hinge. The window hit the concrete and bounced but didn't shatter. I grabbed some sylicone sealer and placed it with the glass in the trailer. Later at the campground I reassembled and reinstalled it. Perhaps I should have played the lottery that day.

Neil

Silverwanabe · 07-05-2011, 03:59 PM

My unit is fortunate to have all the original Corning windows.

So far so good.

I seldom open them anyway, the Carrier 15k heat pump does it job well.
If I want fresh air, open the Fan-tastik vents.

In one of the old sales brochures, AS boasted you could throw a softball/baseball at the window and it would not shatter.

I would never try that....

Hope I never have to replace one.

Inland RV Center, In · 07-05-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverwanabe

My unit is fortunate to have all the original Corning windows.

So far so good.

I seldom open them anyway, the Carrier 15k heat pump does it job well.
If I want fresh air, open the Fan-tastik vents.

In one of the old sales brochures, AS boasted you could throw a softball/baseball at the window and it would not shatter.

I would never try that....

Hope I never have to replace one.

Pick your window, throw the ball, but first, order the window you plan on breaking.

It's been tried, and proven wrong.

But, within reason, the curved tempered glass can and does take some beating.

We demonstrate them to our customers, by standing on one, to show them that it indeed will flatten, without breaking, and then return to it's original curve.

Andy