Making front window rock shield

[MyronL]

I will be installing a different front window in my Burro soon, a Hehr I got on Ebay. It is not a perfect fit, being slightly longer in width and flat. The original window is not flat, being angled slightly to conform to the egg body. That means I will have to add tapered shims left and right around the outside rim when its clamped in place. This shouldn't be a problem and it also gives me some leeway for adding a rock guard.

Question is, how to attach rock guard to the window framing. Have not seen any difinitive pictures anywhere on how they attach. The original Burro installation manual shows what looks like a weird aluminum extrusion that I assume runs the length of the window and acts as a hook-on thingie for a rock guard. That don't look so good to me even if I could find one to match. I want my rock guard to stay securely in place when in transit, and maybe swing up in place as an awning when camped.

I asked the Hehr rep about this. He's ordered the inside mounting clamp rings I need, but had no answer. Use standard hinges screwed into trim? Is that it? Or is there a more better way?? Yah, also thinking about how to prop it open. I was browzing around an auto junk yard for sizzor jacks ($5 each) and noticed those light thin rear window lift shocks on junked SUV's.

[MyronL]

I should also add a note of caution about buying pre-owned windows on Ebay. Great deals are out there, for sure. Sometimes they are listed as "without interior trim clamp" so when I got mine I ID'd the manufacturer and contacted them for this absent but crucial part. However, I found out along the way that IF that window is categorized as an emergency exit window the manufacturer will not send you a replacement interior clamp ring. That leaves you with a real installation challenge. They said it would make them legally responsible for any subsequent related mishap and they don't like being that.

By the way.... I ordered three clamps and the cost to make them was more than my ebay purchase price for the three windows! Go figure.

[jrnutpaul]

The front rock guard on our 17' Bigfoot had a piano style hinge on the top that ran the full length. On each side a lift shock held it up when open and two pull up type locks held it closed. The piano hinge was mounted to the trailer shell and kept water tight with a gasket.

Paul

[Lizbeth]

Myron, Burros have a board that is contoured to fit the trailer screwed above the window. Attached to that board is the hinge. It's two pieces that slide together, one attached to the board, and one to the cover. The way it goes together allows the cover to be removed by sliding it out sideways or lifted up to form a window cover. In "cover" mode it's propped up by normal gravel cover arms like you find on sticky trailers, they also pin the cover down when traveling.

[Con]

Myron, take a look at the SS hanger clips I made for our rock guard on Webshots. Cheap and simple and works like a hot damn! I haven't got around to picking out what type of stays to use yet.

[MyronL]

Con, that's an impressive group of pictures. Wow, what door work !!!

I Like the simplicity of your Stainless Steel hangar clips, with the marine hold-down clamps. Will be looking around for S/S scrap metal to duplicate what you've done.

[Con]

You are welcome Myron. As you can see from the ealier pics the old ones rusted and stained the gelcoat. Later pics show the guard after I cleaned and repainted it, redid the logo, applied new edging and remounted the hardware. Big improvement my friend! And didn't cost all the much. When traveling I have not noticed the cover rattling or shaking at all.

[Pete Dumbleton]

The hardware on Con's Boler looks very similiar to the original Scamp hardware (which also has a tendency towards rust streaks).

[Con]

Myron, go to my thread"Boler Mods" wher I have posted some closeup pics.

[Donna D.]

The hardware on Con's Boler looks very similiar to the original Scamp hardware (which also has a tendency towards rust streaks).

That's because they're plain ole steel. Like anything exposed to the weather one of the best methods to keep them from rusting would be paint, barring that, a good coat of wax everytime any part of the trailer is waxed. Prior to mounting the hardware on my Scamp, I gave all the hardware a good shot of spray silicone wax to get into every knook and cranny. I have to admit, what Scamp provides is NOT one of their better ideas.