Hi everyone! Questions as a new owner of a camper

[ryleigh]

Hello, I was wondering if people could give me some advice on a few things. I purchased a Play-Mor II 1985 13 foot trailer a couple of months ago and started the renovations on it. So far, things have gone smoothly, until recently when it poured down rain and unfortunately my trailer leaked all over.

I have closed up most of the possible places for it to leak but I need advice on what to do about the front window. I removed it to try to clean it and re-seal it but it didn't do anything at all. I want to replace the window completely because it is old and scratched up. It has curved edges and the whole front of the camper curves slightly. Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to replace this window? I'm at a loss for this.

Also, I removed the inside wall carpeting (rat fur stuff that was nasty and smelly) and am unsure as to what to put in it's place - should I glue new carpeting up? What do people recommend for insulating the trailer?

Finally, I want to have an A/C unit installed since I'm traveling in it in the summer time. Recommendations for type of A/C unit and how/where to install it?

Thanks!

[John in Michigan]

Ryleigh, good afternoon and welcome to the FiberglassRV forum! Looks like you have lots of questions, and you've come to the right place to start getting some insights.

Regarding the front window on your vintage camper, its generally better to first explore all options for using for using the existing window rather than replacing, however, to help understand the problem it would help if you would post some pics of the window (and the rest of the interior and exterior while you are doing this).

Regarding the interior wall covering, there are a few options and there are many threads on this topic. You may try searching this forum using the search button at the top of the screen (the lower, google search box works best).

Regarding AC, its not likely your roof can support the weight of an AC unit. In this case, owners have found ways to install either a small window mount unit in one of the cabinets (with exterior venting), or used a portable AC unit on wheels.

I'm sure others will post more ideas soon. Again welcome!

-John

[Tom 72]

Welcome. I claim no expertise here. I looked up a pic of your trailer. Perhaps it is similar to the one below. Lucky you got the Play-Mor, and not the Pay-More. If replacing the front window becomes necessary, I would look for a shop with experience shaping plexiglass, or what ever they call it as opposed to actual glass.

For example, someone who makes custom boat windows or windshields may have the expertise. Especially if your window can be preserved as a pattern. Just guessing, but the horizontal bend looks more important than the vertical, in case a compound bend is too difficult. Good luck. Others will know more.

[John in Santa Cruz]

if that scratched up windows is plastic (plexiglas, lucite, acrylic... those are brands for the same thing), then it can be polished with a buffing wheel and the appropriate hard polish wax. alternately, if the originalk is glass, someone skilled at plastic window fabrication should be able to use the original as a template/mold to curve a plexiglas/lucite window...

otherwise, making compound curves that match a shell is *hard*

[Gerry]

I found that even finding the leaks in these fiberglass trailers is a chore. It could be leaking around the roof vent and traveling down to show up at the window. Anyway, Sealing the window with butyl tape, if you have taken it out should have solved the leak if it was at that point where the water was coming in. I now use Dicor Roof Patch or Dicor Lap Seal for any water problems I have.

I have used this, self leveling roof patch around a roof vent that had a half inch puddle around it after it rained, on my 5th wheel, and even with this standing it hasn't leaked in 2 years.

Clean the area of any other GUNK that was used. use a bit of PVC cleaner to get off wax and silicone oils, dry good, and lather this mashmelowie stuff on with a putty knife. it will set up in about 4 hours depending on thickness and your done.

This is all I can add about roof or window leaks.

[Jon in AZ]

If Tom's picture is like your trailer, the front window appears to be the same type used on Bolers, Scamps, and many others. It's just a piece of flat plexiglass installed with a rubber gasket. It has enough flexibility to conform to the slight curve of the shell.

There's some good information here, including a video if you attempt to do it yourself. The old window can be used as a template for the new.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...amp-37263.html

[ryleigh]

Thank you everyone for all the responses! The original window is plexiglass. I wouldn't mind reusing it after buffing it out but the new window gasket is smaller than the old metal trim that was previously in use. Therefore, the plexiglass window is cut too small for the new gasket. So, I have to get a new window that is slightly larger.

I believe that a sheet of plexiglass would do well but how do I ensure that it is cut properly? If I go to a specialist, will they know what to do? I have all the tools to install it (gasket, sealing strip, special tool) but am really concerned about the plexiglass window getting cut properly. I've attached a photo of the front of my Play-Mor to hopefully show the curve a little bit.