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Hans · 01-15-2003, 02:50 PM

I am the fresh (and very happy) owner of an Airstream 1992 Sovereign 21'. It is one of the last A/S's built for the European market. I am planning to add some light into the interior by cutting one or two window(s) in the roof, at least one at the location, where there is currently the antenna (which I do not need). Not doing it myself - I plan to bring my trailer to a professional trailer repair company suited to do such things. My question: Does anyone have experience with this? What do I have to be careful of? What problems might arise? Thanks, Hans

Chas · 01-15-2003, 08:49 PM

Hans,

I think you are asking for trouble, It is hard enough worrying about leaks as it is without making more. I don't think you will find any reputable shops even here in the states that would do what you are asking. Maybe a roof vent which has a curb and a definite application to the roof but I have never heard of a roof window. If you wanted to get real funky I guess you could put in a residential type skylite, would probably devalue your A/S and leak like a sieve, (spellcheck please?)

Chas

74Argosy24MH · 01-15-2003, 09:46 PM

They can put a sunroof/moonroof in a car, why not something similar in an Airstream? Look outside for vertical rivet lines, these will be ribs, make sure you clear when cutting. Watch for wires, there is a light close and there are probably others. Install and seal it properly and there is no reason it will leak.

John

Hans · 01-15-2003, 11:19 PM

Thanks Chas & John. I also thought, that a professional company for trailers (that also gives you a warranty that the sunwindow will not leak) should know. The only thing is that an A/S trailer is very rare in my country, so the company might not have the experience, since the A/S´s "coat" is quite thicker as a normal trailer. But: There are 2 small windows in the roof already originally, so with good insulation against leakage it should work. I will write a mail to the A/S company and ask them for advice.
Hans

smily · 01-16-2003, 05:57 AM

AS windows are made of tempered glass.

There is no difference in penetrating the roof for a window frame and or a vent. A penetration is a penetration!

simply take measures to seal the flange when placing the window.

I hope you are not thinking of a window that opens, if you are, you may have a problem with water settling around the gasket and this will lead to rot and any time you open the window, the water will surely fall into the trailer.

I recommend a "fixed" window that does not open.

Of course you could implement a "skylight" from your local hardware store but now you would have a window that is not made by AS.

A window from the door of an Airstream is a fixed type window.

Good luck,
Smily

John · 01-16-2003, 07:05 AM

Hans,

Welcome & congrat's on you "new" A/S!

I have a factory installed skylight and I'll the share good & bad points:

The good point is that it really helps to brighten the living area on a cloudy day.

The bad points are that they break(I carry a spare), their not clear enough to star gaze, sun glares into the trailer and they do allow in too much heat during the summer. Fortunately the skylight has a blind attached inside which you can close to reduce the heat & glare from the sun. Mine is mostly closed.

my 2 cents-John

Hans · 01-16-2003, 07:18 AM

Thanks a lot for your information!
@John: The factory installed skylight you mention: is this an original part of Airstream?
Hans

John · 01-16-2003, 08:18 AM

Hans,

Yes it was installed in the trailer during it being manufactured.

John

j54mark · 01-16-2003, 08:31 PM

For a great many years virtually all the wiring in the trailer ran along the ceiling just a few inches to the curb side of the top center of the trailer. I assume it still does. The wiring bundle is accomodated by a "notch" in the ribs. There would be problems in trying to open up the roof beyond that "notch" as there would be no place to run the wires.

Mark

Pahaska · 01-16-2003, 09:25 PM

Some years ago, I installed a moon roof in my Datsun 260-Z. The frame of the window clamped around the opening cut in the roof with rubber gaskets. In the followng 5 or more years of owning the car, I never had a drop of leakage. I'm sure the same roof could be installed in an Airstream.

The glass was tinted and tilted up. The tint pretty much took care of the heat and glare problem. The glass was removable, but I never bothered to remove it after the first couple of times.

The hardest thing was saber-sawing that hole in the roof! They say measure twice, cut once. Well, I measured at least 20 times before I started sawing. Fortunately, the fit was perfect.

InsideOut · 01-16-2003, 09:42 PM

What about the curve of the roof???

Shari

John · 01-17-2003, 05:30 AM

Shari,

I don't know what year A/S changed the roof design, but mine is flatter than the 60's & 70's, as they do have more of a curve.

Too me water leaks are my #1 concern

! But if Hans, if you feel it's needed, enjoy your Airstream!!!

I just wouldn't introduce any more ave for water to get into the trailer.

John

Hans · 01-17-2003, 06:13 AM

John, you are right, water leaks are my no. 1 concern too, as I think is true for every Airstream-fan ... I already have discussed this issue with a local trailer-company here, and they say, that the problem might be the curved roof. I will tow the trailer to them and they will inspect the whole thing. IF they would install a roof window, they would have a 1 year warranty, that no water leaks appear. Well, I will see what they tell me after having seen my Sovereign. A/S-trailers are not too common in my country, actually are almost never seen. If you see an A/S, it is usually on a trailer fair, where the A/S is used as a "show-trailer". The reason is size and costs. European trailers are much cheaper - but they are not Airstreams. They are just missing this special "character" or feeling or however you call it ...

John · 01-17-2003, 06:31 AM

Hans,

There are 2 sealers that are recommend to use on A/S.

One is Vulkem(for large seams) and the other is Parbound-aluminum(for small seams).

Your repair shop may not have these, but they are available in the states.

Good luck-John

John · 01-17-2003, 08:04 AM

Hans,

go to www.inlandrv.com as he has infor on site about Vulkem.

John

apple 1 · 01-17-2003, 09:01 AM

Hans,
Airstream started offering skylights about 1994 when they went to a flatter roof. My 96 has two skylights one in the bathroom area which is about 16"x24" in size and one in the living area which is 24" square. Both have a blind on the inside to cut down on the amount of light allowed in and mine also have a solid vinyl cover which is held in place with velcro. I install the vinyl covers any time the trailer is in storage to prevent UV discoloring of inteior materials.
As John has said there have been problems with the covers leaking usually as a result of the Lexan cracking. I had a cover break at all the screw positions and come off while on a trip. If you click on the photo button at the bottom of this post it should take you to my photos and there is an albulm named Skylight Problems. The photos will show repair I used to hold the covers in place and will give you some idea of the skylight appearance.

Jim

John · 01-17-2003, 09:25 AM

Shari- I stand corrected on the years that the roof's went flatter.

Thanks Jim for pointing that out!

John

silverhawk · 01-17-2003, 10:08 PM

Hey all, I have a 64 safari with a cover over where the A/C goes. that same thought went through my head. Is there any type of a clear cover or something that could replace this rather ugly steel blank? Any ideas would be appreciated Silverhawk,

Hans · 01-18-2003, 10:00 AM

I already have 2 small roof windows in my sovereign as the picture shows. They can be opened, but they are very small. And they are 100% sealed when closed. Before I continue my plans of installing a large skyroof I will exchange the "blind plastic" of the 2 alredy existing roof windows with a clear plastic. Maybe this makes further thoughts on this issue for me unnecessary. Better doing things step by step instead of jumping around

Hans