Block off cab-over window?

[WesternHorizon]

I would like to block off the cab-over, forward-facing window of my '95 Fleetwood Tioga Montara.

I don't see the point of this window. I guess they appeal to kids who want to lie up there, sans seatbelts, and look out at the road and possibly disaster rushing towards them.

For me it is just a huge source of solar gain which is not needed. If I want to look out while in bed I will just use the side windows.

I tried putting mylar foil/bubble insulation on the inside with spray adhesive. Fell off after about 2 hrs.

Has anyone done this with success? Here is something that might work:

SOLYX: SXF-5050 Total Light Blockout. 60" wide

http://www.decorativefilm.com/products/340-solyx-sxf-5050-total-blockout-window-film.aspx

Thank you

[pnichols]

Hmmm ... I tried EternaBond to completely cover the exterior of the frame of our leaking cabover window and it didn't stay stuck at all to the glass. I don't think EternaBond sticks to glass well. It sure didn't in my case.

[mlts22]

Skid Row Joe wrote:
Eterna Bond tape will work permanently, regardless whether applied to the interior or exterior. Trim the excess with a razor blade.

Plus, it comes in several colors.

The advantage of EB-ing on the exterior is that you don't have to worry about leaks around the window, assuming the EB is overlapped enough and well pressed into place.

[WesternHorizon]

Yes,it has a good curtain system installed by the previous owner but lots of southwest heat gets through. She had a leak too 😞

Spray painting from inside: Guess I could do it silver but what a mess with masking and everything.

Rigid foam is a good idea too

Spray painting outside: Seems easy but not sure how good it would look

Tinting place: probably the best bet to get it down right

Thanks all!

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Eterna Bond tape will work permanently, regardless whether applied to the interior or exterior. Trim the excess with a razor blade.

Plus, it comes in several colors.

[mlts22]

I read about someone getting a tint for windows that also functions as a PV panel. Doesn't bring that much electricity, about 20-50 watts, but it gets rid of the solar glare, and provides at least a token amount of juice for battery charging.

I wonder if this is commercially available yet.

[pauldub]

I've thought of cutting a piece of rigid foam insulation slightly oversize and massaging it into the window frame. Your windows may or may not have a frame that would work this way.

[svtkev]

if you spray paint it black from the inside it will just look like really dark tint from the outside

[JaxDad]

Take the unit to any place that does window tinting. They can either black it out or apply silver reflective film to the window. I don't know what they put on that tint film, but will NOT come off.

I think the problem you're having with the adhesive is that by putting the adhesive between the sun and reflective foil you are essentially putting it in an oven.

[Dusty_R]

I covered the inside of ours with some 1/4" insulation foam, that is tucked into the window frame, and covered the outside with aluminum foil tape.

[Jim_Shoe]

I keep the curtain closed and only use the space for storage, but sometimes, its nice to be able take a peek in front of where I'm parked without removing the outside windshield cover, just to see what that noise was before I go outside. 🙂

[pianotuna]

Hi,

My first class C had the front window painted over from the outside with silver colored paint.

[pnichols]

We have ours blocked off with reflective and insulated silver colored material that stays in place held between the curtain and the glass.

However, I've for years thought about and wanted to completely eliminate this window in our rig without having to completely replace the front overhead area. I've found no commercial company that has a solution for eliminating this window and filling in it's opening in a Class C. This window poses a far more serious water leakage problem than heat gain problem, IMHO.

[eric1514]

The bubble/foil (Reflectix) will work. Cut it oversize to the size of the metal frame and use 1" pieces of velcro to adhere it to that frame in as many places as you think will work, maybe 1 in each corner and an extra top and bottom along the long edge.

Eric

[path1]

I take your term of "solar" is both a light source and heat?

Many don't like the front window and many like it. Wife loves to gaze out at night and look at the stars. We have had trouble with ours leaking in the past. Now fixed after many head aches. And newer stuff most don't even have front window.

Anyways for "light" source have you checked into curtains? When our curtains are pulled hardly any light or "solar" light shines thru. We ended up with some pretty heavy curtain. Material is (what lady said at craft store) is theater drape material.

On the "solar" heat source point of view, I cut out a piece of cardboard and glued the air bubble stuff to the cardboard cutout so it is portable and use it when you want to. Lasted 3 or 4 years now, maybe time for new one? But you get idea.