Vista View window repair/replacement

[83Excella]

This is a link to a vista view window repair and replacement page. (All credit goes to the site owner)

http://home.att.net/~n7kt/vview.html

John

[Hawk5274]

Hello John,
One of my overhead Vista windows just shattered from the cold freeze and thaw or moisture although I never saw any leak to the interior. I have plugged the broken window by shaping Styrofoam and tape until I find a replacement. I have a 70 Overland sovereign 31'
My question is the overhead vista seems to have a curve. I see some replacements on ebay. But kinda chicken to attempt replacement, drill out pop rivets, put new window in just to find the holes don't match up. How hard is the replacement? Your link is not getting me to the link, showing error.

[KenSanLan]

Hi, all. I am confused - we have been under the impression that these windows were no longer available and could not be replaced, only repaired. We own a 1976 31' Sovereign - are the 1970 windows different from 1976?

[perryg114]

You can replace them with a new single pane version.

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Peapod 1776

Hi, all. I am confused - we have been under the impression that these windows were no longer available and could not be replaced, only repaired. We own a 1976 31' Sovereign - are the 1970 windows different from 1976?

The difference was the early 70's windows were single pane.

The later 70's windows were double pane (the ones that cause most of the problems).

Andy

[Hawk5274]

Haven't replaced yet. But ready to do so. The windows I have in the 70 airstream is a one pane 1/8" version. Nd it exploded to the outside , ah, had to pick-up all the glass outside the camper from freeze and thaw. Duck tape and Styrofoam still holding strong for now. Going to Bell Center very soon. $450.oo dollars to repair one window..........

[Hawk5274]

D o Not close the inside shades when the temps outside are below freezing!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Hawk5274

Haven't replaced yet. But ready to do so. The windows I have in the 70 airstream is a one pane 1/8" version. Nd it exploded to the outside , ah, had to pick-up all the glass outside the camper from freeze and thaw. Duck tape and Styrofoam still holding strong for now. Going to Bell Center very soon. $450.oo dollars to repair one window..........

Which window are you replacing?

Andy

[KenSanLan]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Which window are you replacing?

Andy

Andy - we have the double paned windows in our '76. Can they be replaced with new single paned windows?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Peapod 1776

Andy - we have the double paned windows in our '76. Can they be replaced with new single paned windows?

Yes, the can.

Andy

[dziminski]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Yes, the can.

Andy

I have a 73 Airstream with the vista windows that are dual pane. They all look bad because of the moisture between the panes. I'm wondering if the inner panel is plexiglass not glass. If so can I just break out the inner panel rather than replacing each one?
Thanks Dick

[dziminski]

Thanks for the quick reply!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joebanjo]

What do you intend to do with your double pane take offs? I rebuilt all mine to single pane versions with no problems. If you are going to trash them...let me know, I might buy them from you, rebuild them, and resell.

[Mixter]

Joebanjo- what's your preferred method of rebuilding the '76 double pane vista view?
Thanks!
Micky

[Hawk5274]

I considered my time into the equation along with attempting to get the right fitting window, hard to find. And the 56 pop rivets, gaskets, silicone? I have taken my wagon up to Jackson Center, Ohio and let the Airstream factory replace it. It is still up there but being kept inside out of the rain waiting on the proper window to be installed. I had a 5 week window to get the window in before we have plans to hit the road for vacation. If I did the replacement I wouldn't be sure I could prevent leaks or even break the new window while pop riveting it in, which kill campers so off to the factory I went.

[Bobby Mills]

New to the community, but figured I'd get started documenting the vista rebuild on my 1978 31' Sovereign. Started with the left-aft vista since it'll be the less noticeable window during my build. I'll post a detailed thread with images, processes, and supplies used when I tackled the right-aft vista now that I know (somewhat) what I'm doing. Pictured is the finished restored dual-pane window that required hacksawing the window sash connector pins, polishing with cerium oxide and felt pad on harbor frieght buffer, wire brushing / sanding / steel wool-ing the frames, and rebuilding all new gaskets per vintagetrailergaskets.com library build for this model. More to come next week!

[dolfindanish]

Hey Bobby, bang up job on the window repair. I'm in the process of redoing the vistas on my 77 right now. What did you use to replace the oem foam gasket that was between the Vista "frame" and the shell?