Installing windows

[drcurran]

I guess I need some help as to how to use the search feature here. I went to search, typed in "Installing windows" and got over 6000 results none of which gave me the info I was looking for. To get help on a window install what should I type into the search line. I know I have seen the kind of info I'm looking for, just can't find it. Thanks

Dan

[Ashleymeadow]

It is really hard. I find that it only works with one word. For example: I typed, "wiring a seven pin trailer plug". That failed, so I typed, "wiring 7 way plug". Then I tried, "7-way wire". I gave up and used Google!

[BigAl]

Whenever, I cannot find something from the search tool, I often turn to sdtripper2's index, an alphabetical catalogue of thread subjects, a kind of 'Encyclopaedia Teardropicus'. There are quite a few listings under 'windows'.

If that didn't turn up anything useful, I would then craft a new thread asking the question in the thread title, and in the thread body give a full description of your question.

The generous T&TTT community has never failed to help at least in some way with these methods.

Searching for "Installing Windows" is likely to return as many results containing "Microsoft" as "Plexiglass". While your search is perfectly logical to us humans, the forum search engine struggles with natural language searches.

The secret of making search work for you is;

1. to understand the search engines result scoring system and its search language syntax.

2. anticipate as best you can what text other user's posts might contain, by understanding the user community.

3. formulate a search string that contains only the key text you want to search upon and phrases to exclude junk results.

So a better search string might have been "Installing AND Windows NOT Microsoft OR Install AND Windows NOT Microsoft". Note the use of search syntax (IN CAPITALS) and also the conjugation of the verb 'install'.

As a side note to Ashley, I like the look of that boat in your avatar, got anymore pics? :)

[vreihen]

The search function here has two useful options:

1) The radio buttons right below the search string box that allow you to search for "any" terms or "all" terms.

2) The picklist below that where you can specify the individual sub-forum to search (like "Cargo Trailer Conversions" to avoid a gazillion teardrop window postings).

With that said, searching *all* terms and just this sub-forum for "cut window masking tape" gave me only 4 hits, one of which is:

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=32504&highlight=cut+window+masking+tape

I cheated a little, because I knew that masking tape on the outside was included in the process. If I remember correctly, user Prem did a step-by-step procedure a while back, which might pop up with a search for posts by Prem in this sub-forum containing all of the words "masking tape window".....

[starleen2]

. . . and now that topic is the first sticky post in the Cargo trailer Conversion section - for others to find easily

[danlott]

I guess I need some help as to how to use the search feature here. I went to search, typed in "Installing windows" and got over 6000 results none of which gave me the info I was looking for. To get help on a window install what should I type into the search line. I know I have seen the kind of info I'm looking for, just can't find it. Thanks

Dan

Instead of searching "Installing windows" search for "Installing AND windows". I came up with 154 results. The trick is to use "AND" between the search words.

Dan

[8ball_99]

The sticky at the top pretty much covers it. I've put them in a couple trailers now.

I hold the trim ring up inside to figure out where I want them.. Keep in mind if you want windows for standing or sitting.

If you have to cut a stud out remove some of the screws holding the skin of the trailer.. Place some luan between the skin and the stud. Use a angle grinder with a cut off disk to cut the stud. Your going to want to cut the stud out low enough so you can put a brace in top and bottom. So if your using 1" square tubing you just cut out 2 inches more then the height of the window. Install the braces. I then drilled 4 holes from the inside. One top and bottom and one on each end.

I made a template out of luan for the hole for the windows. Mask the area on the outside of the trailer you plan on cutting. I then taped the template to the exterior of the trailer. Use the four holes to line up the template with your framed hole. Trace the hole then removed the template and cut the hole with a jig saw with a fine tooth blade.. Test fit the window.

Reinstall the plywood on the inside and then trace the hole from the outside. Remove the plywood and cut the hole. The trim ring is larger then the window so keep that in mind when cutting out for the trim ring.

Then you just install the plywood get someone to hold the window on the outside while you screw the trim ring to the window which clamps it in place. Run a bead of silicone around the outside and your done.

[dog812]

I installed a window in mine.. check my gallery..
i bought one small enough to fit in between the verticle beams. Mine was also dirt cheap because it didnt come with the trim ring..
so i had to take a trim ring from a larger window and cut to fit then screw through both the window and inside trim ring to mount it.. but it worked.

If you want a larger window.. you will cut through the verticle beam and use wood or weld metal in to make a window box from the 2 closest verticle beams...
Any other questions feel free to ask...
It was very easy,.. only took me about a hour to do.. even with terrible assortment of tools.. I also left the plywood up on the inside due to laziness.. and just cut through both outside and inside all at once.

My template was a piece of cardboard, traced from the window that is going to fit in the wall.. then i placed it on the outside.. drilled 2 holes through in the middle.. then placed the cardboard on the inside of the trailer reversed and lined up the 2 holes... worked great.

[drcurran]

Thanks to everyone for their help. I installed my two windows with some of the suggestions. Everything went very well. Unlike some info I heard here, my trimring were the same size as the window "hole". I did have to build an extra frame to make up for the distance the trim ring did cover. I'll try to post a pic. Again thanks for the help to all.

Dan

PS - I think the pics are in my album.