Frameless windows question

[Jayco25E]

My wife and I are looking at a new RV and I like the look of the frameless windows. But one of the dealers I talked to was trying to talk me out of that option because according to him they have problems leaking. Does anyone with frameless windows have any problems with them leaking? I really like the look of them but also do not water in my RV.

[Campfire_Time]

My only beef with them is less air flow. We have one window on our trailer that opens like a frameless. Love that we can leave it open while raining. Hate that it's less air flow. I'm glad all the rest of our windows slide and give us more breeze.

[Jayco25E]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to post your experience and opinion on them. Seems that some folks like them and some do not. I think over all they have more pros than cons based on everyone's input.

[azdryheat]

I like them for two reasons. They don't leak and they don't need to be closed during severe rain storms (Mine hinge at the top). I found out that last one with the trailer parked at the house when a monsoon storm came by. No moisture anywhere inside the trailer.

[Lantley]

I have them on my 2012 5'er. I agree they don't open very far. However I'm an AC guy and seldom open widows.
So far I have not had any issues in 8 years.

[derouen6]

Had 5 replaced on a 5 month old DP due to fogging. MH is now 5 years old only 2 have not failed. Four months ago the emergency egress window over the bed fell out while traveling down the highway.
I hated them before the problems because of lack of air flow.

[rk911]

WVcampground wrote:
...5- Most, if not all are made by LCI, which goes a long way to explain why there are the first 3 issues.

boy you got that part right! LCI is buying or has bought out a lot of parts suppliers. look up cheap parts in the dictionary and you'll find LCI's company logo.

got a letter from Winnebago today touting it's current, new and proposed line of diesels and moving that production back to Forest City. one line from that letter really caught my eye. I quote:

"...we are re-evaluating suppliers and demanding higher-quality components.... I hope that means either demanding LCI improve quality or Winny will do us all a favor and wave bye-bye to them.

[smarty]

We have them in our rig and have never had a leak. Had a window break and it was a breeze to swap out the window. Took less than 30 minutes.

[Ivylog]

Made sure our “new” ride had the big ugly framed windows that open 50%.

[ajriding]

Yes, those are every bit as leaky as the typical car windshield which is also bonded to the frame. Like a sieve! aka, waterfall.
no, just kidding.
likely he did have another framed unit to sell you.

These look great, but sadly they will date all our framed RVs from here on…

[ford_truck_guy]

Let me guess, the salesman had a unit on their lot that did not have frameless windows that he had a drop dead deal on ??

I have had frameless ( dual pane ) on my last 3 RV's and love them, we have never had a leak as well...


Joe

[T18skyguy]

I haven't had any issues with mine, but I agree with what WV says above. I think another reason manufacturers like them is they save a lot of weight over double pane windows, and probably saves them money too.

[WVcampground]

Frameless is sort of a misnomer as they still have a frame. The glass itself does not have a frame.

I have not heard of many leaking issues and the ones I have heard of have been the clamp frame leaking due to bad installation, which is the same configuration as any RV window. The outside frame goes into the opening, the inside frame acts as a clamp when the screws are run in and tightened down. We have had them on the current and prior trailers we have owned, and never had a leak.

They are also referred to as "bonded" windows. Because the hinge extrusion and operator channel are bonded to the glass panel with an adhesive.

Here's the issues I have seen, had myself, or heard about.

1- There have been instances of the glass separating from the hinge extrusion due to adhesive failure and the glass panel falls off the trailer.
2- There have been issues of windows opening on their own while traveling down the highway, due to the cheap operator hardware used.
3- There have been issues with the operator arms breaking because they're cheap and chincy.
4- They only open about 3"-4" depending on the height of the glass, but it's easy to mod the cheap hardware to get them to open further to 6"-8", but your taking a chance with the cheap hardware. Once modded they really need treated with kid gloves.
5- Most, if not all are made by LCI, which goes a long way to explain why there are the first 3 issues.

[fj12ryder]

I don't care for them due to the reduced air flow, because I like having the windows open when the weather permits. And I have read about some people having issues with the windows coming off. Only read about that a couple times though.

[dodge_guy]

Since there are no mounting hardware showing how is the glass attached to the opening hardware. I believe they are bonded. If so over time the adhesive may fail! It’s too early to tell that though. They do look good though. But how are they thermo pane with that type of mounting system?

[djousma]

I happen to like the way they look. My Cardinal is loaded with them. Two have leaked over the years, and both have been fixed. No big deal.