Forum Discussion

GrannyGrump's avatar
GrannyGrump
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013

Desperate for ideas on windshield replacement

Hi everyone and thanks in advance for any help you might be able to provide me.
I have a specialized old travel trailer. It's an old AWARD 30 ft trailer. We don't use it often and in general we really like it BUT the parts are very hard to come by for repairs. They come out of Canada.

Here is my problem. The windshield has cracked pretty much beyond repair and at this time I cannot afford to replace it with a new one from the factory. That cost is about 1500.00 and I just don't have it, but I need to get something to replace it or cover it for several months and I want it to look decent and not leak.

I originally planned to put a piece of Lexan to replace it and at the last minute the supplier tells me they won't do the job because of the curve of the nose they won't guarantee it and then they almost doubled the price of their original quote to cut it for me to attempt it myself.

For the time being I was considering just covering the window with plywood or something else for the winter because it is not kept in a storage unit but I want it to be secure for towing and something that won't leak and that is removeable down the line for a good window. Is this possible? Has anyone done this? Do you have other suggestions. We are operating on a shoe string right now and can't afford to spend more than about 400 hundred right now.

All suggestions are appreciated.

Here is a picture of the trailer before we got the shell back on. We have the shell back now.

27 Replies

  • AWARD GROUP address.

    Sorry - missed adding it

    http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/award2
  • Ok; this is a long shot but here goes.

    A friend of mine had a custom car that he was finishing up. It needed a new window in the back but he could not find one for this car and he did not want Lexan or anything like that. It was curved glass so a flat piece would not fit.

    I was over at his house and he was telling me his troubles. He also had his Olds mini van parked out in front. I looked at the windshield on the mini van and said, "hey, that glass looks about like the curve you need on your car." He said, darned if it doesn't.

    We made a template out of cardboard and matched it up. Exact curve he wanted and needed; the piece of glass was just too big.

    He called around and found a place that could water jet cut glass. The only problem was it was on you if they broke it. You had to pay the cost of the cutting. $300.00 bucks or something like that IIRC?

    He went to a wrecking yard and pulled a piece of glass out and tried it. They broke it. :M $400.00 bucks down the tubes. :R

    He did it again and it worked this time. We installed the glass in his car and never looked back.

    You might give something like this a try. I would also fit within your price.

    Good luck and let us know how this turns out.
  • Hi

    There is an Award user group at the address below. The members have done extensive repairs and mods to their Award trailers. I think it would be worth joining this group and pose your questions there. I know more than 1 owner has replaced the big front window with different material. Also occasionally there will be a used window for sale. From talking with an owner here he purchased a new window from the manufacture of the window - in Holland.

    We had a Classic 30 - It was a lovely trailer - towed well but the work need on that 91 model was beyond what we were willing to tackle so it now has a new home.

    Good luck.
  • BillB800si wrote:
    Here's a thought.
    Find a standard window and build a frame around it. You already have the old frame exposed.
    Good luck,



    this would be the best long term fix on a budget..., and shouldn’t be hard very hard to do…

    but bending the Plexiglas shouldn’t be that hard to do either…
  • Here's a thought.
    Find a standard window and build a frame around it. You already have the old frame exposed.
    Good luck,
  • For a temporary fix, you might look into clear vinyl. Like THIS. It is pretty heavy duty, conforms to most any shape and lasts a long time. Good luck!