Windshield in Travel Trailers and 5ver's

Donedroolin · 01-10-2017, 08:09 AM

I have been looking at some new travel trailers and reading trailer life magazine. That's what keeps me from going camping crazy during these long COLD winters. Some manufacturers are putting a car style windshield in the front of the camper. This looks pretty cool. I wonder when Jayco will start doing this if they will. Still am a little bummed that Jayco sold to Thor. What do you think of this style window on a camper or 5ver

TCNashville · 01-10-2017, 08:17 AM

Saw those "windshields" in a lot of new Forest River products. We're going to the Indy RV Show this week and I'll check 'em out.

Grumpy · 01-10-2017, 08:42 AM

Just another "potential" leak. The windows that were in the cab over on Class "c"s created many problems.

Camper_bob · 01-10-2017, 09:23 AM

I've seen them on Montana trailers. First one I saw was at the RV show last year. I though it was kind of neat, but like Grumpy, I instantly thought "what a leak risk"!

I've read that they're made out of automotive windsheilds. If they're installed like they are in the auto industry, I would be a bit more comfortable about the leak potential. But for some reason, I just don't see myself trusting that.

The other thing is that there's nothing to see most of the time out that side of my trailer. Other trailers, my truck, the CG ... just not a good enough view to justify the potential leak risk IMO. They're neat though.

oldmanAZ · 01-10-2017, 09:39 AM

The quote 'Everything old is new again' kind of sums that up. Years ago those windows were common.

As already been said, leaks were common around those windows and the view toward the TV and the road we drove in on is often lacking.

Seann45 · 01-10-2017, 09:48 AM

AS Oldman says they were big in the 70's.. there is a reason they stopped putting them in.

rjackson · 01-10-2017, 09:55 AM

our old rockwood had a front window, was 10 yrs old when we sold it, never had a leak problem with it

Camper_bob · 01-10-2017, 10:55 AM

When I was a kid, we had a Citation TT with a front window. That was actually one of the places it DIDN'T leak! LOL!

mike837go · 01-19-2017, 02:39 PM

My previous TT (1983 vintage) had a pair of jalousie windows facing forward with a travel cover that became an awing.

Wonderful feature with the dinette table right behind the glass.

When we looked at TT's in 2015, SWMBO was very disappointed at the lack of front windows in the class of RV's we were looking at. Also the fact that the master bedroom is up front now, kinda makes that window a bit ridiculous?

BCK · 01-19-2017, 03:03 PM

Our 2005 TT had a front window same as Mike837go described. Lots of times we never even opened the fiberglass cover but it was nice in that is let in lots of light during the day. We used it for ventilation mostly. With the cover closed rain never got in no matter how ugly the weather was. Leaking was never a problem.

bankr63 · 01-19-2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike837go

When we looked at TT's in 2015, SWMBO was very disappointed at the lack of front windows in the class of RV's we were looking at. Also the fact that the master bedroom is up front now, kinda makes that window a bit ridiculous?

Reading through TL, there are 4-5 mfgs on the bandwagon for this already (me too!, me too!), but all of them are using the window in new floor plan configurations without a front bedroom; front lounge, front kitchen plans. The most interesting was the 5er with the huge residential soaker tub in front of that window. That glass better be one way in all conditions or campers may be scratching their eyes out if they were to behold me in that tub!

Camper_bob · 01-20-2017, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankr63

Reading through TL, there are 4-5 mfgs on the bandwagon for this already (me too!, me too!), but all of them are using the window in new floor plan configurations without a front bedroom; front lounge, front kitchen plans. The most interesting was the 5er with the huge residential soaker tub in front of that window. That glass better be one way in all conditions or campers may be scratching their eyes out if they were to behold me in that tub!

My philosophy on it is "if you don't want to see, don't look!" And trust me, no one wants to see ME in there!! LOL!!

Interesting floorplan on the trailer, but I could never see us in something like that. I do really like the "Front Living" plans though.

northwindone · 01-20-2017, 01:34 PM

Our 1977 Layton had a huge front jalousie windows with a fiberglass covers. It was great for light and making it feel less cramped...but it leaked like crazy and we had water damage on the ledge under it, one of the reason I sold that one instead of restoring it.

I'm not sure I would want a huge window though, at least on a front bedroom unit. I like the front window on our 29BHS, which I believe they deleted from the next model year. It's big enough to let in light, but it's solid so a low risk of leaks and you can leave the fiberglass closed if you want for even more privacy. We removed the blinds as you hit your head on them making noise at night and put in thermal black-out curtains instead. We are slowly doing the same with all the windows.

bankr63 · 01-20-2017, 02:43 PM

I actually had to look up jalousie window on the internet. It was kind of what I thought based on pictures of old trailers, but nothing you would ever see in a northern climate. Interesting that the number one "con" listed was that they can't withstand water; they leak (number two was that they can't really be insulated). Kind of makes me wonder why these would get used on a TT at all if leakage is a top issue.

oldmanAZ · 01-20-2017, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankr63

I actually had to look up jalousie window on the internet. It was kind of what I thought based on pictures of old trailers, but nothing you would ever see in a northern climate. Interesting that the number one "con" listed was that they can't withstand water; they leak (number two was that they can't really be insulated). Kind of makes me wonder why these would get used on a TT at all if leakage is a top issue.

IMO, it was a 'fashion' statement. Jalousie windows were popular for houses with enclosed 3-season porches etc. 'back in the day' when air conditioning (houses and RVs) was uncommon.

I might be inclined to say today's trailers with wall-to-wall carpeting makes as much sense as those jalousie windows.

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