Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

The TITANIC was built with iron rivets.

(But then again, the Costa Concordia was all welded, and it still peeled open like a can of sardines.)


I like aluminum pop rivets for RV windows. They take the load off of the trim ring screws and seat the butyl tape fast, even on a cold day.

When I cut the uprights for my window holes I intend to use a grinding blade on a Dremel or one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/120-volt-3 ... 68523.html

Now what to do for the siding skin? I will watch these posts at the time and learn from others. I wonder if these grinders mentioned above will work.

Something along this line might work. Will have to search the web some more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw0XD-bdOYM

I have one of these. I wonder if it is too aggressive. Would have to experiment first.
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-double-c ... -8065.html

Bob

A cutoff disc that is made to cut ferrous metals will not work on aluminum; like the skin. A toothed saw of some type or shears are best on aluminum. Good aviation snips are great. There are special versions for left and right hand cuts like cutting the radius corners.

MtnDon wrote:A cutoff disc that is made to cut ferrous metals will not work on aluminum; like the skin. A toothed saw of some type or shears are best on aluminum. Good aviation snips are great. There are special versions for left and right hand cuts like cutting the radius corners.

Thanks MtnDon,

I will be very careful in what I use. And will not use the cutoff disc.

A little trick for cutting alum, no matter what kind of blade you use put beeswax on it . As the metal heats up the wax will melt and keep the alum build up off the blade.
Ron

Tx River Rat wrote:A little trick for cutting alum, no matter what kind of blade you use put beeswax on it . As the metal heats up the wax will melt and keep the alum build up off the blade.
Ron

Thanks Ron. I will try and remember this tip.

I hope I don't sound like an idiot here, but does anyone have pictures of how exactly the window itself installs? The cutting doesn't sound like that big of deal (I have a pneumatic hacksaw), but is the window sandwiched between the two rings? I went to my parents over the weekend to look at their fifth wheel but it has frameless windows, which must be installed like automotive glass

I was just searching around and found a mention about Truck U episode on speed channel. So I looked it up. I hope this can help someone the way it helped me! Makes the window install a lot easier to think about after watching someone do it!

http://truckutv.com/?p=3178

I am not an expert, but I will try to answer some of your questions.

Putting in the windows really depends on the windows you buy.

Most new windows with appropriately sized trim rings you can put in without any screws on the outside. The trim ring screws into a groove on the main window piece. When it is screwed in it sandwiches the wall between the window and the trim ring. It is held in place by that pinching action.

Windows that you get without a trim ring you will need to screw in through the frame from the outside.

RV window install http://easyrvwindows.com/rv-window-installation.html

Here is a link to my install. Unfortunately I didn't photograph all the steps. The windows are at the bottom of page 1. viewtopic.php?f=42&t=55219

Here is another link to an install http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=32431& ... w&start=30 and

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=36215&start=15

One on the metal bracing viewtopic.php?f=42&t=44595&start=15

Hey, awesome! Thank you for posting those links! very helpful!

Where is everyone buying their windows from?
We live in Central Florida and own a black 6x12 Haulmark. We plan on two slider windows and are debating between two roof vents vs air conditioner. We don't feel we need the ac but there are times when we will be traveling with our two fur babies.

Personally, I bought mine thru Ebay. Was right around a $100 including shipping to get it, and its a 24x30 tinted slider with screen. the roof vent I also got from Ebay and bought a Max-air cover for it from Amazon

I got my windows from Frank Bear's Vintage Tech site. The nice thing about his is that I could order my trim rings to the correct thickness for my wall. Most other places didn't have my trim thickness in stock.
http://teardroptrailerparts.com/Windows___Doors.html

Anybody have a source for a small window that I could put in my door? like maybe 12x12?

I used this window in my door, its an RV window, a bit pricey but it has held up well and looks good also, good quality product you might find cheaper versions out there
http://easyrvwindows.com/rv-entry-door.html