I've been cruising these forums for years, taking tidbits here and there, but here's my first post. First of thanks to everyone whose posted... So many of us have benefited from the discussions.Anyway, I'm looking at possibly upgrading from my current trailer, a Jayco Jayfeather 26s - 2006 vintage. It's been a great trailer but,... Both my wife and I are retiring within the next 6 months and we're looking for the next... more living space, bigger kitchen, bigger bath, etc.One of the items I'm researching is thermopane windows - are they worth $1000 extra. My current trailer doesn't have them and all is well unless we camp in cold weather. Sleeping on cold nights we feel cold drafts and the heat cycles frequently. Will thermopane windows end the drafty/cold feeling?

Besides cutting back on the drafts, you will also notice how much more quiet it is inside.As far as heat loss, the windows play a very small part if you buy a poorly insulated RV.

Yes, it's worth it. They keep you cooler in the heat, warmer in the cold, block outside noise better and will increase the resale value. If you were making the choice for your house, would you spend the $1,000?Bill

We fulltime without dual-pane windows and have no drafts. If we ever upgrade I doubt I'd pop for them. I often see posts complaining about moisture problems and the solution is get dual-pane. Again we have no problem with moisture even at below freezing temps. We only stay in private campgrounds while traveling so noise is noticeable but with the TV or radio plus the AC we produce more decibels inside than those from without.

Double pane windows will make it more comfortable, esp. when sitting near a window. It will also be quitter in your rig. Drafts can come from a variety of places, but I doubt it is the windows.Steve

Trackrig wrote:Yes, it's worth it. They keep you cooler in the heat, warmer in the cold, block outside noise better and will increase the resale value. If you were making the choice for your house, would you spend the $1,000?BillHouse is totally different scenario. In a house thermopane windows provide a financial rebate from energy savings in a RV there is seldom if ever a rebate because utilities and generally included in the site fee.Yes the thermopanes may save some propane in cold wether but RV's are seldom out in extreme cold. If you full time or RV 3/4 time, the windows maybe worthwhile.However there is no cost savings, Very little insulating value on most RV's simply because the entire RV isn't very well insulated vs. a house.Thermo panes do reduce window condensation and exterior noise infiltration. I don't expect total solitude or silence when camping so noise reduction is not an issue for me.Again RV's are not out in extreme cold so condensation is not a major issue.I considered dual panes when I ordered my 5'er, but I could not justify the cost. I did not think they would enhance my RV'ing.The primary reason for dual panes in my book is to save money, however in an RV there is no savings. I don't believe the windows would ever pay for themselves in the long run.

Are thermopane windows worth it. | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

Jframpey
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
Wes Tausend wrote:
...

Another option is to add a clear plastic barrier to the inside in cool/cold weather. Almost the same temperature/condensation benefit as thermopane/dual-pane at a fraction of the cost. Far less sound benefit, though.

Wes
...

I did that 25 years ago in a house with single pane windows... It was quite effective in reducing the drafts and cold chill in the bedroom. That may be an option-it would be a pain (pardon the pun) to remove to get a fresh breeze in temperate weather.

The current trailer's layout has the bed at the front under a fixed single pane window... In cold weather ( anything <40) a cold draft washes down the window right onto our heads and shoulders.

And, I am looking for this to be a "4 season" trailer.

Thanks everyone - guess my mind's made up to strive for thermopane windows.
Wes_Tausend
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
...

Another option is to add a clear plastic barrier to the inside in cool/cold weather. Almost the same temperature/condensation benefit as thermopane/dual-pane at a fraction of the cost. Far less sound benefit, though.

Wes
...
BurbMan
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2013
YES worth it, we have them on ours. Forget about sub zero camping or not, they eliminate ANY condensation on the inside of the windows when it is cool outside. Plus they are much quieter. Ours are tinted also which is nice, helps keeps the TT cooler in the summer.
TenOC
Nomad
Oct 12, 2013
Trackrig wrote:
Yes, it's worth it. They keep you cooler in the heat, warmer in the cold, block outside noise better and will increase the resale value. If you were making the choice for your house, would you spend the $1,000?

Bill

At my home I pay for the electrical. Camping the electrical is included (most of the time) in the camping fee.
Huntindog
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
I wish I had them. I often camp in severe cold... In fact that is the very reason I have a TT.. Went on a cold Kaibab deer hunt in a tent over 20 years ago... That was the last time I tent camped.
Again since severe cold weather camping is much more comfortable in a TT, and if one chooses to use a TT in cold weather, then it makes sense to do/get any upgrade that will make it do the job better.
So I say spend the money. It will seem cheap when you are more comfortable in severe weather.
rdrector
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
moe f wrote:
Jframpey wrote:

One of the items I'm researching is thermopane windows - are they worth $1000 extra.

I quickly scanned through the responses and didn't notice anyone mentioning the difference between thermopane and dual pane, sorry if I missed it. Thermopane windows, at least in our neck of the woods, mean the two panes of glass have an inert gas between them and are hermetically sealed, while dual pane windows are simply that...two panes of glass with no special gas between them and not hermetically sealed. Does anyone build an RV with true Thermopane windows?

We camp into late fall in Ontario and our current fifth wheel a Jayco has dual pane windows and we do notice a difference, for the better with both temperature and noise, over our previous 5th wheel which had ordinary one pane glass.

cheers and have a great day.

Mine is a 2013 Jayco, at least according to the website options, it is advertised as Thermo pane windows, and they are dual panes.
moe_f
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
Jframpey wrote:

One of the items I'm researching is thermopane windows - are they worth $1000 extra.

I quickly scanned through the responses and didn't notice anyone mentioning the difference between thermopane and dual pane, sorry if I missed it. Thermopane windows, at least in our neck of the woods, mean the two panes of glass have an inert gas between them and are hermetically sealed, while dual pane windows are simply that...two panes of glass with no special gas between them and not hermetically sealed. Does anyone build an RV with true Thermopane windows?

We camp into late fall in Ontario and our current fifth wheel a Jayco has dual pane windows and we do notice a difference, for the better with both temperature and noise, over our previous 5th wheel which had ordinary one pane glass.

cheers and have a great day.
rdrector
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
IMO yes they are worth it. 3rd trailer I have had, 1st one I ordered with Thermo pane windows.

Temperature has been easier to maintain. ex.(air and heat haven't cycled as often)

Noise has been reduced enough to notice.

Radiant heat and cold from outside is not really felt from the windows any longer.

It will add value at resale; how much who knows; but it will add a more desirable unit value which makes it worth it IMO.
BillB800si
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
Had a 2007 Jayco Eagle 322FKS trailer for 7 years with thermo pane windows. Just bought a 2014 Keystone Cougar High Country 321RES trailer without thermo windows.
Noticed no difference what so ever. Both will allow moisture condensation on the glass if you're cooking a lot with cold temperatures outside.
The ultimate insulation value is "dead air space" - PERIOD. With 2 inch walls there's not much dead air space in RV's to start with.
Save you money... ( and BTW when we traded in our Jayco they never asked or had a question on the form about thermo windows. So don't look for any extra trade in value for thermo's.
Happy trails,
ontheroad101
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
What nobody mentions is they add weight to any RV. Can't remember the exact number when we order our 5th wheel, but our 12 windows added around 400 pounds. We have 4 large windows in our RV. We had both and as said duel pane are much better IMO. It is not a money saving issue on propane as it is a comfort issue. Another thing is they may fog up between the two layers of glass. We had 6 windows replaced by the manufacture. Also on resale like in a home they add value to the unit.