Broke my window!

[Stefrobrts]

This is entirely my own fault. I was using the gas trimmer around the house, and apparently it threw something right into my kitchen window! Ouch! All the more ouch knowing I did it to myself. And that now I have to get it fixed in time to go camping next weekend. Ugh...

[Silvertwinkie]

Aw Stef, sorry to see it. I know you have plenty on your plate lately. Hope it's a simple fix.

[Ganglin]

Hate when that happens. You might want the see post number 4 from Inland RV under this thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...ion-33330.html

[overlander63]

Ow! Stef, that's not a Corning window, is it?

[Stefrobrts]

Yup, one of my original curved corning windows

[silver 67]

because we just replaced two curved and two flat windows. Vintage sent them quickly though, so maybe you can be on the road before you know it.

At least it looks as though your AS is covered and you won't get rain inside.

[Stefrobrts]

I just looked up the price! That's a $200 piece of glass!

Yes, luckily the trailer is safely under it's vinyl carport, so it will be dry under there.

I'm going to do a search on putting plexi in. One of my other big windows is plexi already. I really don't have a problem with it, compared to an unexpected $200 repair.

[ajheinonen]

You should use Lexan, I had a window repair done by the PO and it cracked on me while closed and pulled tight against the curved window opening.

Lexan is very flexible and is what I now have on that window.

[InspectorDread]

Just out of curisioty, has anyone ever suffered a broken or cracked Vista Veiw window from towing. I'm about to pull my 34' monster 500 miles and I'm worried about being hit by flying debris. I even thought about covering the windows with cardboard and duct tape. Has anyone else had experience with this?

[3Ms75Argosy]

Ugh! So sorry Steph. Look at this way.... it's cheaper to replace even the glass than fix the dent in the side if it hit the aluminum.....

Good luck! Power to Alki!
Marc

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by InspectorDread

Just out of curisioty, has anyone ever suffered a broken or cracked Vista Veiw window from towing. I'm about to pull my 34' monster 500 miles and I'm worried about being hit by flying debris. I even thought about covering the windows with cardboard and duct tape. Has anyone else had experience with this?

I have never seen a Vista View broken in towing (not to say it hasn't happened to someone somewhere) I think it is a long shot because of where they are located. I did manage to break one of mine while I was removing the interior pane as part of a reseal and cleaning process...$250 and 57 rivets to repair not part of the restoration plan!

Aaron

[05ModPod]

For quick fixes on the road - Lexan is great - but for the originality glass is the only route if you can get (save the 69 wing windows) you can pretty much get any replacement.

We travel with an emergency closure now that you can quickly duck tape on until you can get to a glass store - once we used a boot matt and another time we fashioned a piece of stock pressboard 1/4" cut to size of the wing windows. Came in real handy cause we did loose a window on that trip too.

[BIGED52]

Stef, Sorry to hear of the loss of a Corning window! The fact that you do have the moulding from the glass will help when you replace it with Lexan. Plexiglas is NOT an option! It will flex too much and you will have moisture (rain) find its way in around your frame and seal. Go to a local glass shop with the moulding and have them insert a Lexan replacement of the same thickness as the original Corning glass. Make sure to tell them that the moulding is slightly curved to fit the profile of the trailer and not to try to straighten/flatten it out! Happy Trails, Ed

[Stefrobrts]

Well, I shelled out for the expensive glass window to replace the gaping hole in the side of my trailer. It arrived today. Only problem is I'm having trouble removing the top channel so I can clean it out and put the new glass in. There are aluminum tabs sticking up on each end to prevent the window from sliding out sideways. It won't lift up and come off the hinge. The instructions on vintage trailer supply say only part of it will come off, and you have to pry them apart. So I have cleaned out all the broken glass and I just need to get the channel apart to finish cleaning out the old tape and install the new glass. I'll be getting double stick tape to mount the glass from the glass shop tomorrow. But what's the trick to getting that top channel apart?

[KeithC]

Ouch, ouch, ouch. I hat to hear you broke your orginal glass.

I have several orginal corning windows and 8 lexan replacement windows on my 1968 Tradewind.

After months of research, Andy from Inland Marine has high, high, prices replacement window corning type glass, but I have found none better.

Please, let us know your decession and the outcome.

[BIGED52]

Stef, Your trailer has the type 3 window/hinge assembly as does my '67 Safari. To remove the upper clamp from the hinge assembly (which will stay on the window frame) you must remove 5 or 6 screws from the inside top of the hinge assembly. The easiest way I found to do this was to (following the removal/install instruction from VTS). Squirt PB Blaster on the screws (or Breakfree) as they will be rusted in place and use a posi-drive screw driver to remove all the clamp screws. If any heads strip out or break off you can use a small vise grip plier to carefully remove the screws. (Note: you may have to remove the screw threads after the clamp is separated from the hinge.) With the screws removed you can separate the clamp from the hinge by prying the clamp away from the hinge with a small pry bar or large screwdriver. It will come apart (with a little convincing) but be careful not to scratch or drop the clamp when removing it! clean up both the inside surfaces of the clamp and the hinge, install glass tape (glazing tape) on the top edge of the glass, and use double face reinforced tape to the top surface of the glass tape. Then re-install the glass to the hinged side first and install the clamp on the inside of the hinge to the glass, making sure you have the glass aligned correctly in the opening of the frame. This job is always easier with two people. Hope this helps you. Happy Trails, Ed

[BIGED52]

Originally Posted by KeithC

Ouch, ouch, ouch. I hat to hear you broke your orginal glass.

I have several orginal corning windows and 8 lexan replacement windows on my 1968 Tradewind.

After months of research, Andy from Inland Marine has high, high, prices replacement window corning type glass, but I have found none better.

Please, let us know your decession and the outcome.

Keith, VintageTrailerSupply.com also sells curved tempered glass for the '66, '67, and '68 trailers and the shipping/handling is less than InlandRv. Also Steve at VTS gaurantees his glass so if it breaks (for whatever reason) even fumble fingers syndrome) he will replace it at no charge. Hope this helps. Happy Trails, Ed

[Stefrobrts]

I got my glass from VTS. I have delt with them before and been happy with them everytime, and the guarentee to replace the glass even if I broke it during installation was too good to pass up.

Thanks for the advice on dissassembly, Ed. I got the screws out, but it is giving me trouble prying it apart. I'll give it another shot tonight after work.

[Stefrobrts]

Got it in. The channel did come apart finally, but it had sealant at each screw hole, so it took a bit more prying than I was comfortable with - thought for sure I would break something! So here it is. No trim yet, but I'm just happy to have the gaping hole filled.

Soon as we got it done my husband (the comedian) came by with the weedwhacker, just to see me chase him away!

[safari57]

Steph

Your hubby is a brave, if not foolish, man. I can relate big time with him.

Glad you got your glass in. It looks good.

Barry

(how's your baby doing? Have I missed another thread on status?)