We went to an RV show yesterday in Portland, ME. There were a lot of Heartland 5th wheels that were huge, 3,4 & 5 slides. I was quite surprised by the number and size of windows. Though they were darkened, I couldn't help but think of comfort in maintaining temperature. We have 1 large window at our dinette in our Cougar, and find it troublesome in extreme temperatures. We don't ever raise the shades unless the temperature range is 65-75 degrees. We're otherwise quite happy with the rig, but wonder if all the huge windows in these new rigs are practical. I know they add the illusion of more space, but seriously wonder if they allow for comfort in the real world, outside of a climate controlled showroom. Anyone have experience with these?

Our heartland Bighorn 3160 Elite has huge windows. It also has 2 AC's. We don't anticipate any thermal issues,

I had the same thoughts when I went to an RV show in February. Between the light at night, heat in the summer, and cold in the winter I am not sure I would want them unless they were double pane and had thick shades.

We love our 'big' windows for the view and with them being Dual Pane no problems hot or cold with inside temps. The day/night shades provide total privacy when needed.Dinette viewRear window

My current FW has a much better quality glass, than my previous one. It is a so called 4-season, but not double pane glass. It is a thick safety plate, and dark like Jayco above.I have one 15,000btu AC, and no cooling problems at all. I do keep several of the large nylon MH window shades behind the couch, that I will use in extreme conditions. I just set them on the sill, and pull the shades.What I was most impressed with, is how quiet it is inside, with all that glass.I also spent 8 nights camping, with night time temps in the mid 20s. It heated very easily, and had no condensation on the windows.Hope you find a trailer you like!Jerry

The wife and I both agree our next trailer will not have lots of window or especially the large sizes. Heat gain and heat loss is a huge battle. Now if your camping just a few days sitting in direct sun or don't camp when its cold with the wind blowing 35-40 mph then the big windows may work out for you. I like my nephews new 32' 5er with two or three tall narrow double pane windows down each the side and a 12"x30" for the kitchen sink.

Lot's of glass in new rigs- good or bad ? | Good Sam Community

Seattle_Lion
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Our heartland Bighorn 3160 Elite has huge windows. It also has 2 AC's. We don't anticipate any thermal issues,
rjf7g
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
I had the same thoughts when I went to an RV show in February. Between the light at night, heat in the summer, and cold in the winter I am not sure I would want them unless they were double pane and had thick shades.
Us_out_West
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
We love our 'big' windows for the view and with them being Dual Pane no problems hot or cold with inside temps. The day/night shades provide total privacy when needed.

Dinette view

Rear window
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 06, 2014
My current FW has a much better quality glass, than my previous one. It is a so called 4-season, but not double pane glass. It is a thick safety plate, and dark like Jayco above.

I have one 15,000btu AC, and no cooling problems at all. I do keep several of the large nylon MH window shades behind the couch, that I will use in extreme conditions. I just set them on the sill, and pull the shades.

What I was most impressed with, is how quiet it is inside, with all that glass.

I also spent 8 nights camping, with night time temps in the mid 20s. It heated very easily, and had no condensation on the windows.

Hope you find a trailer you like!

Jerry
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Apr 06, 2014
The wife and I both agree our next trailer will not have lots of window or especially the large sizes. Heat gain and heat loss is a huge battle. Now if your camping just a few days sitting in direct sun or don't camp when its cold with the wind blowing 35-40 mph then the big windows may work out for you.

I like my nephews new 32' 5er with two or three tall narrow double pane windows down each the side and a 12"x30" for the kitchen sink.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2014
Us out West wrote:
We love our 'big' windows for the view and with them being Dual Pane no problems hot or cold with inside temps. The day/night shades provide total privacy when needed.

Dinette view

Rear window

He he he. Looks like you have been in the same CG, same site even that we were in last year below Mt St Helens. Can't remember CG name offhand.
ddschuman
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
We have some big windows but not as big as some. I think I would like the larger windows. I like to see outside when the weather is bad and I'm unable to go outside. I also like natural light inside the rig. We have camped on the coast of Texas (Port Aransas) a few times and also at campgrounds in and around Central TX. Temps get rather HOT in Texas and our rig stays relatively cool inside. Of course we run it on continuous fan and temp at about 60 during the day. It will freeze you out at night but daytime it gets to about 72-74 which is not as cool as I'd like but tolerable. I'm a hot momma and our sticks and bricks AC is kept at 65 in the summer :)
Us_out_West
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Veebyes,

Pic 1 & 3 are from Silver Cove RV Resort in Silverlake, WA. last July.

More from there...
Aridon
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Double pane glass is great but its not as good as a well insulated side wall. The trade off is pretty minimal unless the entire unit is windowed and they face the sun most of the day without any awning. Since most units we've seen and had have their windows on the awning side the difference isn't so bad given the view you gain.
JEBar
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
for recreational camping large windows are great, there is no question that they provide the best possible view .... for camping during hot or cold weather, they aren't so good .... the R-value of standard RV glass windows is 1 .... the R-value of thermopane windows is 2 .... if you are paying your electric/propane heating/cooling bills, having large windows can really add to your monthly expenditures

Jim