Window install = pain

[ho-do]

Hello all,

I just wanted to put in my two cents worth about installing windows with trim rings. I ordered a small 14x21 vertical mount window with a trim ring for my CTC. I specifically order the 14" wide window to prevent cutting any studs in the wall. And I ordered it from a highly recommended dealer mentioned several times in this forum.

I carefully made a template for the window (which was a hard thing to do since the part of the window you need to use as the hole outline was not the thing sticking out the furthest. It was resessed somewhat. And the trimring would not work either since it was larger around than the window). I then caefully cut out the hole in the skin of my CTC and the window fit into it perfectly.

HOWEVER, when I go inside to slide in the trim ring, it wouldn't go into the same sized hole. I had to cut a larger hole, now on the inside wall of the camper, and try to make sure I keep it perfectly aligned with the hole I cut for the actual window unit.

This was NOT easy. First, I had to cut my jigsaw blades off by 1/2 inch so that they would not cut through the outer skin of the trailer. And, of course the larger diameter trim ring meant I ended up cutting more of the metal studs than I had wanted to.

Why do they design the trim rings larger than the windows themselves? It would be so much better to cut one hole and both sides fitting that hole.

I hope what I have said makes sense. I finally got the dam* window mounted, but I would never do it again. Cutting a hole for the AC was much easier and I had no problems installing it (even though it did require a stud to be cut and a frame to be made).

There, that rant makes me feel better!

Also, I made a drop down brace for my Suzuki Burgman 650 Scooter so that we dont have to try and secure it with straps anymore. Folds up on the wall when not in use.

[8ball_99]

Its not the easiest thing in the world to do, But thats how most RV windows are made.
Just be glad you only had to do it once.. So far I've installed 4 of them and two were the larger 20x30 windows.

[Archam]

Try doing all the above but without a trim ring! It gets even crazier.
I wound up making two separate templates, scaling down from the closest edge that I could trace then using one side to cut the metal and the cutout portion to cut the wood on the inside. This of course had to be perfect because I was using the 3/8 ply siding as my trim ring. Turned out decent but what a PITA

[Pyrofish]

Man, you guys have me worried... I picked up some used windows at a surplus place this past weekend. For some reason I thought it would be great to have huge windows... 57 tall x 27 wide. They were a good deal at $40 each with tint and trim ring... now I'm thinking the install won't be as easy it looked...

Oh well, it will be fine... or it won't

[ho-do]

I don't want to scare you. I just was not ready for the amount of work it took and the larger inner hole. I also figured out that it would have been easier to mount a larger window unit that would require one stud to be cut; because, my unit required me to trim two studs (they are z-shaped studs, so I had to remove one part of the Z from each side where the window was supposed to fit in-between the studs).

Good luck with your install. Also, I am no carpenter or handyman, so I must struggle through each project I create for myself. Every one of them turns into an adventure

[woytovich]

I found it pretty easy... but I'm not building a show trailer. Mine is a cargo trailer that will be used to carry stuff and then sleep in... it is not a stealth camper fully outfitted...
I sourced junkyard windows, made a cardboard template, drew on the trailer with a sharpie, drilled a big hole near a corner and had at it with a Sawzall.
Came out pretty good considering... less than an hour or so a window... See my 5x8 thread in this forum for pics.

[B@tt]

I found it pretty easy... but I'm not building a show trailer. Mine is a cargo trailer that will be used to carry stuff and then sleep in... it is not a stealth camper fully outfitted...
I sourced junkyard windows, made a cardboard template, drew on the trailer with a sharpie, drilled a big hole near a corner and had at it with a Sawzall.
Came out pretty good considering... less than an hour or so a window... See my 5x8 thread in this forum for pics.

I totally agree w/ woytovich here. If your not cutting studs the process is really simple. (nerve racking to cut the hole, but simple)

Im not sure why someone would have to cut a larger hole on the interior of the trailer for the trim ring, my window must be different from everyone else. I cut a hole put the window in and mounted the trim ring.

Anyone looking for step by step pictorial can check my CTC Toyhauler build thread. Im no master craftsman but the basic idea is there. Everybody who has seen my trailer says the window looks factory.

[bdosborn]

ho-do,
The same thing happened to me on the teardrop; stuck the window in my carefully sized opening and the trim ring didn't fit. Boy was I pissed off! I used a router to open up the inside a little. But I agree, why would you make the trim ring so you need ~1/4" bigger opening than the window? I sized the window openings to the trim ring on the Boxcar and all was well.

Bruce

[BERT]

I experienced the same issue with my installs. To make it easier I used a longer jigsaw blade and adjusted the foot of the saw to approx 30 degrees. Cutting from the inside wall I followed the outer hole as a guide and increased the inner diameter by just an 1/8th of an inch. It worked really well but was nerve racking to say the least. Measure 100 times and cut once! Good luck and I hope this helps someone and reduces their stress!

[mskobier]

all,
I went about my window install a bit different than what has been posted. I had to cut one wall stud on each side of my ct to install the 15x24 windows. After I cut out the necessary portion of the wall stud, I welded in 1 inch square tubing to form the rectangle window box. I built this box abot 1/4 inch larger in both directions so I would have a little play for the window install. Since the corner radius on my windows are 3 inch, I used a 6 inch hole saw to cut out 8 raduis corner blocks from 1" laminated plywood ( 2 x 1/2") for the corners. Installed the corners with polyurethane caulk/glue and let set up. I then test fit the outter portion of the window in the inside and used 1/8" plywood strips glued to the steel to fill the extra space. Once all of the polyurethane had dried, I used the same 6" hole saw with pilot bit installed to drill the centering hole in each of the corners. I then finished installing the interior plywood sides. Once the sides were installed, I then used the 6" hole saw from the outside to cut through the aluminum skin using the previously drilled pilot holes to locate the holes. Once that was all done, I used a cheap electric sheet metal shear to cut between the 6" holes. The electric shear was <$40.00 at HF. Then I just used the same 6" hole saw to drill through the interior plywood sheeting. Using a Sawzall, I cut the plywood between the 6" holes. That completed cutting out the window openings. I did note that the trim ring was a close fit to the welded in frame, but the extra 1/4 in gave me the extra clearance I needed.

My window install was probably more labor intensive than necessary, but it was the method I came up with, and it worked for me.

Mitch