Taping Window on Cab Over

[CYCLEPATH]

I'm getting ready to drive Alaska to Michigan in my Dodge 3500 with '04 Lance 921. I was thinking of putting cardboard, or something, over the cab over window. Has anyone done this type of thing, and also, would the duct tape damage the finish of the camper? I have down multiple Haul Rd trips with no window problem, but was wondering if I was pushing my luck. Thank you.

[Bert_the_Welder]

HMS Beagle wrote:
Find the 3M preservation tape (4811). Does not seem to harm finishes or leave much behind. More expensive than duct tape, but this is the kind of thing it is made for.

Also, while you are in Canada stop at a hardware store (if they will let you) and get Varsol. Much better solvent than we can get here (in California, anyway).

Ah, no. Please, no stopping in Canada. Travel directly through if you are driving through here. Sorry, but we've allowed travel to and from Alaska at our risk, so please follow the rules. Hardware store isn't a necessary stop.

[HMS_Beagle]

Find the 3M preservation tape (4811). Does not seem to harm finishes or leave much behind. More expensive than duct tape, but this is the kind of thing it is made for.

Also, while you are in Canada stop at a hardware store (if they will let you) and get Varsol. Much better solvent than we can get here (in California, anyway).

[deltabravo]

Use gaffers tape. It's less nasty than Duct Tape.

Gaffers Tape on Amazon

[Z-Peller]

One more thing I should have said in my above post is that 3 years ago I used white Gorilla tape to secure solar wires to the roof of my F/G Bigfoot. I love the way this stuff sticks on. A month ago I made some changes so had to pull tape off and remove the 3 years old hardened adhesive. Varsol and a rag again and cannot even see where tape had been on the roof.

[Z-Peller]

I had a painted aluminum siding camper years ago on Alaska trip. I used a 3/16 mahogany door skin and painted it both sides for waterproofing then cut it to shape of front glass and used similar colored Duct tape on siding to attach it. Never had a rock strike, but it made me feel better knowing my bed was not going to be wet and covered in glass!...in my experience Duct tape glue has never hurt painted Aluminum or Fiberglass siding. Varsol and a rag and a bit of elbow grease cleans it up. I have had Duct tape cooked on in AZ sunshine on my Bigfoots many times and hardened glue left on camper when tape is pulled off always comes off with Varsol.

[Bedlam]

Maybe use painter's tape to reduce the residue? I would use a foam sheet rather than cardboard unless you plan to remove it every time it rains.

[Grit_dog]

I wouldn’t have thought or worried about it, but I wouldn’t use cardboard. I’d be thinking like a piece of tub surround FRP or a piece of plexiglass. Cut to the shape of the window and stick on with some sticky back Velcro or maybe a few dabs or caulking or construction adhesive between the pieces or double sided tape for vehicle trim. I’d do Velcro. Easily removable later.
Doesn’t need to be attached terribly well just enough to not fall off from vibration and bouncing.

[MORSNOW]

I've made the trip a few times, the only time I destroyed a windshield was making the drive in the winter (November). The Yukon spreads crushed rock on the highway that is kicked up by passing vehicles and my front tires trough rocks forward and I drove into my own rocks. You'll be fine this time of year and there won't be much traffic. Report back and let me know how the road is, I'll be headed out the first week of September.

[gbopp]

I think cardboard would get weaker as it gets wet. I would use 1/2 inch foam, maybe a little thicker.

[Bert_the_Welder]

jimh425 wrote:
I don’t think the duct tape would hurt anything, but you could put and extra coating of wax on to make getting the residue off with GooGone or similar. I’d take it off as soon as you can and possibly bring extra tape to retape it. I also don’t know if it’s necessary.

I don’t know how think your window is, but maybe you can magnets through the glass.

That's an interesting idea! Rare earth mag's are pretty strong.
Possible to even take it a step further and use 1/8" baltic birch ply painted white or Coroplast or even a piece of white Laminate cut in the shape of the window. Epoxy or PL Premium metal strips or 1/2" plated washers to the side facing the glass. R.E. mag's on the inside of the window. Probably want some felt between the glass and mag's so not to scratch the glass.
If lighter is wanted, a piece of white or black vinyl coated tarp might be good. And if it does peel off, it's less of a danger to others.
Definitely do a test with an off cut first to make sure you can get it off!:B. Then build the full size one and find a quiet stretch of road you can do a speed test. Don't want that thing pulling a Frisbee on you during the trip. A strip of weather stripping tape around the perimeter may be prudent to keep the wind from getting under it and causing lift. Test, test and test some more.
Would look a bit more steak and lobster then hotdog and corn chips. And less likely to get the evil eye from the Mrs. :W

Anyhow....I get carried away with the coffee shop engineering....:S

[Bert_the_Welder]

moebedick wrote:
I have never done that trip, though I wish I had been able. If your luck is even vaguely like my luck, you have just succeeded in jinxing yourself. If you cover the window, nothing will happen. If you don’t cover it,well, you can see where I’m going. I would rather worry about removing glue residue, than spend the rest of my life dope slapping myself for not covering it...or, worse yet, listening to my wife remind me that I should have covered it.

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!! I hear ya there!!

[jimh406]

I don’t think the duct tape would hurt anything, but you could put and extra coating of wax on to make getting the residue off with GooGone or similar. I’d take it off as soon as you can and possibly bring extra tape to retape it. I also don’t know if it’s necessary.

I don’t know how think your window is, but maybe you can magnets through the glass.

[moebedick]

I have never done that trip, though I wish I had been able. If your luck is even vaguely like my luck, you have just succeeded in jinxing yourself. If you cover the window, nothing will happen. If you don’t cover it,well, you can see where I’m going. I would rather worry about removing glue residue, than spend the rest of my life dope slapping myself for not covering it...or, worse yet, listening to my wife remind me that I should have covered it.