Installing windows in living room slide-out

First, be very sure of the side wall construction before starting. Do not do any cutting until you know the size of the window frame. Do the inside first using, as mention earlier, blue tape to lay it out. I would use a multi purpose tool with a toothed cutting blade to cut the hole on the inside. If there are no surprises, I would use a jig saw to cut the outside wall, from the inside. Trial fit the frame to make sure you have enough clearance to fit the window in and not bind it. Cut 2Xs to the with of the wall between the inside and outside skin. Hollow out the foam to the depth needed for the 2xs how ever you can. Once everything is cut and ready, use construction adhesive to glue the 2xs between the skins, and use clamps for at least 24 hours. Just install the windows and enjoy.

mike brez wrote:

Berner2 wrote:
I talked to a Coachmen rep this morning regarding adding windows to the ends of the living room slide. The answer I got is that there isn't a stud type framework per se. Instead they add an aluminum frame where the window opening will be and it provides the necessary interior structure for the window to clamp around. My understanding is that it keeps the window frame from crushing the wall over time.

This doesn't seem like an insurmountable problem, but, you'd have to open the wall to really come up with a plan. That said, do you open the inside wall or the outside wall to take a look? I'm thinking outside would be an easier repair from an aesthetic standpoint since its flat sheet metal. You would have the wallpaper and the wife to deal with if you open the interior wall!!

Inside

yep, less chance of totally messing things up and make it fairly easy to cover/hide your mistakes.
bumpy

Berner2 wrote:
I talked to a Coachmen rep this morning regarding adding windows to the ends of the living room slide. The answer I got is that there isn't a stud type framework per se. Instead they add an aluminum frame where the window opening will be and it provides the necessary interior structure for the window to clamp around. My understanding is that it keeps the window frame from crushing the wall over time.

This doesn't seem like an insurmountable problem, but, you'd have to open the wall to really come up with a plan. That said, do you open the inside wall or the outside wall to take a look? I'm thinking outside would be an easier repair from an aesthetic standpoint since its flat sheet metal. You would have the wallpaper and the wife to deal with if you open the interior wall!!

Inside

I talked to a Coachmen rep this morning regarding adding windows to the ends of the living room slide. The answer I got is that there isn't a stud type framework per se. Instead they add an aluminum frame where the window opening will be and it provides the necessary interior structure for the window to clamp around. My understanding is that it keeps the window frame from crushing the wall over time.

This doesn't seem like an insurmountable problem, but, you'd have to open the wall to really come up with a plan. That said, do you open the inside wall or the outside wall to take a look? I'm thinking outside would be an easier repair from an aesthetic standpoint since its flat sheet metal. You would have the wallpaper and the wife to deal with if you open the interior wall!!

dougrainer wrote:

Deano56 wrote:
I doubt the factory makes the end panels any different for slides with or without windows for every particular model, but as said already the manufacturer would be able to help

So, you have inside knowledge of HOW RV's are built?? I DO. Every Model and sub model will have different specs for framing. IF the wall has a window or any other outside access door or appliance, they will have radius corners and studs that the window/door/appliance will mount too. They do NOT just cut a hole in the wall and install doors or windows. My point in explaining is NOT to stop someone from doing it, but to explain the risks that they may incur when doing something out of the ordinary on the RV. If the wall has no studs, you cut the hole and then insert wood studs on the 4 sides for support. If it is a radius window(almost all are), you really need the plastic radius corners to install also. Doug

I certainly understand about needing studs or support around the windows for them to be mounted too just as a residential home would need them, but in a home I would cut out the wall and add a header, studs and supports where needed. My thought was that the studs are always in the walls of a motorhome on certain centers whether they are on 12, 16, 18,or 24" centers, they are in every motorhome. If there is a window going in a wall they don't move the studs to 36" centers to accommodate a 36" window.

Deano56 wrote:
I doubt the factory makes the end panels any different for slides with or without windows for every particular model, but as said already the manufacturer would be able to help

So, you have inside knowledge of HOW RV's are built?? I DO. Every Model and sub model will have different specs for framing. IF the wall has a window or any other outside access door or appliance, they will have radius corners and studs that the window/door/appliance will mount too. They do NOT just cut a hole in the wall and install doors or windows. My point in explaining is NOT to stop someone from doing it, but to explain the risks that they may incur when doing something out of the ordinary on the RV. If the wall has no studs, you cut the hole and then insert wood studs on the 4 sides for support. If it is a radius window(almost all are), you really need the plastic radius corners to install also. Doug

Deano56 wrote:
I doubt the factory makes the end panels any different for slides with or without windows for every particular model, but as said already the manufacturer would be able to help

I doubt that too but they may add more bracing when they install a window. It wouldn't be very much trouble to have the studs set differently inside the slide for different models and then just use the same composite panels when done.

I'm pretty sure that they person who recommended taping it off and just going to town with the sawzall was joking... Obviously, careful cuts on the inside wall to reveal the support structure in there first would be a slightly better idea.

I doubt the factory makes the end panels any different for slides with or without windows for every particular model, but as said already the manufacturer would be able to help

I say go for it. Get some three inch wide blue painters tape and tape off were window is to go on outside. Use a four foot level and mark window rough opening onto the blue tape with black sharpie. Get yer sawsall and cut away. Be sure and take plenty of before,during and after pics and post them here. :B

I too would like to add a window to one end or both ends of my living room slide. Newer units like mine have windows in the ends of their slides.

If and when I decide to look at the possibility of adding windows I will contact Winnebago for info about my slides. It is possible that there is structure in the wall that could be compromised if I cut a hole for a window. It is also possible that the structure of the slide-out is such that it would make little difference such a composite laminated structure.

I would also buy a window that had been specifically made for this purpose. A window that manufactures are putting in their slid-out units.

Please let us know what you find out and post pictures of your project.

Safe travels.

JD