How do you make windows?

[Chef_Stan]

Hi all,

How do most people go about making windows, do you reuse old along with all the trim and items to make it stay in/weathertight, do you purchase new, or do you fabricate? If so how do you fabricate?

I am thinking about making a trolly top and I am trying to figure out the top windows. I am also thinking the door windows through, I want a good amount of screen for max airflow. The trolly top will likely be fixed windows.

Has anyone made a double door like on a commercial RV, inside door is screen and outside door is hard with fixed glass? I am thinking I want doors on both sides.

Thanks

Stan

[eddie6775]

I went and stripped a camper top from an old truck for the window for my standee. Two crank-out types and the sliding window that goes rite behind the cab. what i did was just transfer the measurement from the truck cap. If ya buy new I suspect the seller would send some kind of instruction sheet with pointers. I've made windows from scratch out of lexan before for a hot rod I had as a kid and used universal window rubber from J.C. Whitney. I think it come in a 20 foot roll or something. I hope I understood your question and was able to help!

[dh]

There are lots of ways, including those you mentioned, to get windows. Its a matter of what works for you and your budget. Look on ebay, craigslist, local RV shops, salvage yards, camper junk yards... The only thing I recomend is stay away from residential windows with plate glass. Tempered safety glass is a must, IMHO.

[doug hodder]

I've scratch built my own door with the screen. Did it on my standy. It's not the easiest thing to do and to do 2 of them only doubles up on the work load, and it will cut down on the body width on the trailer.

I had to have a steel Z channel bent up, then modify a hinge so that I had 2 swinging portions, and build 2 doors, you'd have to do it 2x. The real challenge is getting them to mate up nicely, open and latch solidly and seal. You gotta match/mate the doors so that they work together.

Bought windows just seemed to be the best way for me to go. I didn't have to reinvent the wheel for them.

On my last trolley top, I used a Fantastic fan in the aft end of it, but had 4 15x18 windows on the trailer body. Worked well with only 2 windows on another trolley top as well. When the fan is on and pulling air through the windows, it stays really comfortable. I've never had to run it on high to keep it cool.

I know it doesn't do anything for the bugs, but for the time I'd spend inside with a door open, just wasn't worth the effort for me. Just my opinion. Doug