Rear window repair/replacement - '75 Trade Wind

[rwnash]

The rear window of our airstream shattered - lawnmower rock at the last gas station? I have removed the aluminum sash that holds the glass. My question is can a glass shop replace the "safety glass" or is it best to order a new sash - assuming it is available?

Any advice/experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Whit Nash rwnash@accn.org

[A-Merry-Can]

funny, i just replaced the glass on 3 of my windows in my 59 Traveller this weekend. i found a glass shop here that cut the pieces for me. in 59, they didn't use safety glass. some shops will even install it in your frame for ya. mine were really straight forward, i ordered a 50 foot reel of beading tape from airstream dreams, as well as the silicone trim. they look great now! it's probably totally different fo you, though. i'm not familiar witht he 70's pickles.

good luck!

jordan

[ticki2]

There is a listing on Ebay now for a front window , the seller says he has others also , might be worth a check out . Item no. 4644698328. I would first try a good glass shop , they should be able to do flat tempered glass . Good luck

[rwnash]

Thanks guys,

I'm going to get some of the gasket removal stuff recommended by pinkflamingoes an remove the cracked seal and then take it to the local glass shop. Next project is the leaking water heater connection. Always something to do!

Whit Nash

[BIGED52]

Whit, Get a good measurement on the glass size including rounding of corners and any good glass shop can order a heat tempered replacement piece for you. VintageTrailerSupply may also have glass for your coach, so check with Steve. If he has it you can then check for a better price locally. Ed

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by rwnash

The rear window of our airstream shattered - lawnmower rock at the last gas station? I have removed the aluminum sash that holds the glass. My question is can a glass shop replace the "safety glass" or is it best to order a new sash - assuming it is available?

Any advice/experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Whit Nash rwnash@accn.org

Taking any opening window apart that has been used since 1969 usually winds up being far more trouble than it's worth.

First of all, Airstream will not sell the correct glass gasket.

Secondly, especially on windows more than 10 years old or so, when you drill out the rivets that hold the two "C" sections together, you will find a rusted piece of steel that was wedged into the "C" channels to hold them together.

Once that is disturbed, the strength of that joint considerably weakens, so that when you reassemble the window frame, the bottom section will no longer stay striaght. That being the case, you have created a water leak.

Thirdly, when you refasten the hinge at the top, without a jig, you will find that the hinge itself warps, many times to the point that you can no longer reinstall the sash and glass back into the window frame.

Fourth, the cost to have a single termpered glass made, is usually very expensive.

Fifth, If you don't have insurance on the trailer, then homeowners insurance can be used.

Sixth, windows from 1969 and up, are still available from an Airstream dealer.
However, different hinge arrangements were used for different years. Therefore, when you order a window from a dealer, have your serial number handy for proper identification. Lastly, is the window a standard or deluxe version. The deluxe versions have the "T" handles on the lift arms.

Seventh, only Airstream dealers, that have a contractual agreement with Airstream, can purchase parts from the factory. Non dealers must go through an Airstream dealer, if they want original parts.

Andy

[rwnash]

Ed & Andy,

Thanks for the further information. After coffee I'll go and look at it further. My local dealer, Woodland in Grand Rapids MI, has been most helpful in the past and sold me a factory black water tank at a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, they are about 60 miles away. But it looks like I'll probably give them a call Monday.

Thanks again - it is always a big help to talk with someone who has been through a problem before.

Whit

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by rwnash

Ed & Andy,

Thanks for the further information. After coffee I'll go and look at it further. My local dealer, Woodland in Grand Rapids MI, has been most helpful in the past and sold me a factory black water tank at a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, they are about 60 miles away. But it looks like I'll probably give them a call Monday.

Thanks again - it is always a big help to talk with someone who has been through a problem before.

Whit

No need to travel to get a window.

They are shipped UPS.

You can install it yourself, in less than 5 minutes.

There are shipping charges, of course, but that is minor compared to the cost of gasoline to drive back and forth to a dealer, that is some distance from you.

Andy