Cut in a new window?

[Kathy with a K]

Has anyone tried to cut in a new window? If so, what did you use to reinforce the edges and how did you trim the foam back to make room for the reinforcing? Anything else to be aware of? Thanks!

[Glenn Baglo]

I'd just use a jig saw to cut a hole and then I'd keep the hole and throw the rest away.

[Larry C Hanson]

Hi,

From the internet:

Tango uses an aluminum-framed wall construction (not wood stick),
insulated with R7 structural-block foam, then covered with a gel-coated
fiberglass Lamilux 1000 skin that resists denting.

You need to find where the aluminum wall studs are in order to avoid
them... Ideally one of the new window's edges would one of the studs.
Use a Studfinder.

Usually you will need to put some sort of support around the edge of
the new opening you cut. Be careful.... it is not a project to be taken
lightly....

Uncle Larry

[FRED SMAILES]

Welcome K, athy!
Would enjoy pics of your trailer complete as
Im not familiar with your trailer. Maybe a pic or two what kind of interior finish, type of window, is the surface curved?
Fred

[thrifty bill]

It appears your trailer is not molded FG. If so, cutting out the side of a trailer to mount a window that has an aluminum frame is a totally different animal.

Sounds like a laminated wall, I would expect some luan in there as well. Many of these trailers can get delam problems, where the fiberglass outer layer separates from the luan. I would be very careful before doing anything, and I would seek out an RV expert.

But without a lot more information, we all are guessing here.

[Jon in AZ]

It's worth mentioning that this particular forum is devoted to all-molded fiberglass trailers. These are the "egg-style" trailers that consist of a structural fiberglass shell with no underlying frame. Most simply have some kind of soft insulation and headliner inside, kind of like the fiberglass pickup truck toppers.

Unfortunately that's not obvious from the web address, which says simply "fiberglass."

If your trailer is laminated with a fiberglass skin as others have suggested, then the issues are definitely different. Larry's advice seems about what I'd expect. You have to watch out for wiring, too.

[Kenny Strong]

I have removed 3 of my 4 windows and put them back with a roll of putty from the RV center. Remove a window to see what the core looks like. don't use a coarse blade, to cut a new opening. In my "lil" Bigfoot; the shell, the insulation and the wall covering is in between the aluminum frames( inside and outside ) as the frame is screwed together the foam insulation is compressed, forcing the putty tape to squeeze out and sealing the window contact surface. The original seal on one of the side windows was not good for the whole (top) 3" corner radius.