broken curved window curb side HELP

[charliesclas]

I have a 1985 25 ft air stream and I have a broken curved window on curb side. Has anyone replaced one with plexaglass and if you have how did you do it.
The 2 nd thing is , does any one have a replacement window that would fit and the knowlege to tell me how to replace one.
Charlie
574 835 2378
charliesclassic@comcast.net

[dwightdi]

My understanding these are available thru Airstream at any dealer. Not cheap. If you want cheap plastic you would have to slump form them over a non-thermally conducting buck that was the right shape. This would mean you would by acrylic or polycarbonate(Lexan) sheet and oven dry them. Then you would heat them up to near their softening temperature and drape and push them over the buck while not marring the surface. Allow them to cool to room temperature and they will keep their shape. You could do minor polishing after they are done and then finish edges or drill holes as required. Some plastic fabrication shops in larger cities might be able to do the job for you.

[CJ of Okla]

Originally Posted by charliesclas

I have a 1985 25 ft air stream and I have a broken curved window on curb side. Has anyone replaced one with plexaglass and if you have how did you do it.
The 2 nd thing is , does any one have a replacement window that would fit and the knowlege to tell me how to replace one.
Charlie
574 835 2378
charliesclassic@comcast.net

Are you looking for the wing window? single or double glass?

[charliesclas]

Originally Posted by CJ of Okla

Are you looking for the wing window? single or double glass?

Hi
the window is the curved curb side window and I am not sure but think it is a double( .1870) thw window has the dark rock shield in fromt of it . the window is the one on the in side behind the curtins.
charlie
charliesclassic@comcast.net

[Lumatic]

Just got back from my 1st long trip (1 month) with the 71 Tradewind. 2nd Day out one of the wing windows blew out. (I thought it was from a passing gravel truck) 3rd day out the 2nd wing blew out. The road was a little bumpy but there was no obvious cause. I have heard some wing windows are prone to this. Both were single pane and very, very, very thin. Somewhere between 1/16 and a 1/32 judging by the shards. So, I have had duct tape and cardboard windows for the rest of the trip with no other major incidents.

I would like to find out more about replacing with Lexan for $ reasons.

Can I remove the center vertical frame piece and slide the Lexan in from the center to the side or do I need to take out all the rivets and the frame? Any way to do it with out pre slumping the Lexan. maybe with a heat gun? I have not found a Lexan source locally. Any suggestions?

[RUSSELL]

Hi,
Try Inland R.V. yhey have replacements. My exploded sitting at home. The cost from a AS dealer was 750 dollars. Lexan schould work as well unles you are a purist AS owner. Next time it happens lexon is for me. To keep it from happenig again I put a blaket over the front windows. I have traveled twice to Alaska with no problems.
Regards from Russell hot and sunny Tucson Az.

[Lumatic]

Anyone know what years will also fit a 71?

Andy, if you're listening, I like your comment from an earlier thread something like "like people, sometimes things break with no explanation".

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Just got back from my 1st long trip (1 month) with the 71 Tradewind. 2nd Day out one of the wing windows blew out. (I thought it was from a passing gravel truck) 3rd day out the 2nd wing blew out. The road was a little bumpy but there was no obvious cause. I have heard some wing windows are prone to this. Both were single pane and very, very, very thin. Somewhere between 1/16 and a 1/32 judging by the shards. So, I have had duct tape and cardboard windows for the rest of the trip with no other major incidents.

I would like to find out more about replacing with Lexan for $ reasons.

Can I remove the center vertical frame piece and slide the Lexan in from the center to the side or do I need to take out all the rivets and the frame? Any way to do it with out pre slumping the Lexan. maybe with a heat gun? I have not found a Lexan source locally. Any suggestions?

Your Insurance company will pay for broken windows.

Typically, since Lexan is flexible, they will blow out when traveling when they are in the front, unless they are protected with a Rockguard.

Andy

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Anyone know what years will also fit a 71?

1970-1980 or 81.
1969 wing window is similar, but is flat on bottom (right and left are different parts), the other years fit either side.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Anyone know what years will also fit a 71?

Andy, if you're listening, I like your comment from an earlier thread something like "like people, sometimes things break with no explanation".

Wing windows are now made to fit from 1970 to July 1999.

Depending on the year, some trimming may be necessary.

Wing windows are labeled left and right.

Andy

[JenandGC]

Safari Tim posted a really good step by step instruction guide with pictures, a while ago, on replacing these windows.

My husband used it last spring after both our front windows blew out. He found it extremely helpful.

I'm not sure what the post was called, but I'm sure you could do a search for "lexan window replacement" or something similar, and find it.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by RUSSELL

Hi,
Try Inland R.V. yhey have replacements. My exploded sitting at home. The cost from a AS dealer was 750 dollars. Lexan schould work as well unles you are a purist AS owner. Next time it happens lexon is for me. To keep it from happenig again I put a blaket over the front windows. I have traveled twice to Alaska with no problems.
Regards from Russell hot and sunny Tucson Az.

Wing windows cost less than half of a wrap window.

Over $700.00 is correct for a wrap window (40 inches wide).

Tempered glass windows indeed can break when the trailer is parked, seemingly without a reason. Historically, the breakage is caused by a grain of sand or two, penetrating the surface temper. Unfortunately, you cannot see that with our eyes. When that happens, and who knows when it happened, enough changes in temperature between night and day, will eventually make the window just shatter. It could take years before the glass would shatter.

We know what the cause is, it's just impossible to predict the failure in time.

The only real prevention, is to have a Rockguard cover the front window or windows as the case may be.

Most insurance companies cover glass losses with no deductible, unless the loss was caused by a collision.

Andy

[overlander63]

I have found out the windows are different, right and left. The glass itself may possibly be the same, but is not worth the effort to take out of the frame and reinstall, even if it fit.
Andy, I thought the wing windows were wraparound after 82 or so, like the old Argosies.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I have found out the windows are different, right and left. The glass itself may possibly be the same, but is not worth the effort to take out of the frame and reinstall, even if it fit.
Andy, I thought the wing windows were wraparound after 82 or so, like the old Argosies.

Not so.

Wrap windows are about 40 inches wide.

Wing windows are only 14 inches wide.

Both are still used.

Argosy trailers never used wing windows, only the wraps were used, in the front and sometimes in the rear too.

Some classic motorhomes used wrap windows in the rear, or just a rear window.

Andy

Andy

[overlander63]

Andy, do you remember what year Airstream adopted the wraparound window as standard equipment?