Camper Windows?

[Ghettofab75]

I'm looking for thoughts on camper windows.

I'm in the planning stages for building my own camper from scratch and would like peoples thoughts on the windows, window layouts in an FWC or ATC style popup camper?

I've heard some remarks about people not wanting the forward most cab window because it becomes a cold spot during cooler travel periods. I don't plan to travel in the cold much, does this window provide any benefit otherwise? Is it at all useful for rearward vision, or the ability to see whats on the pass side of the truck when lane changing? I can't imagine its really useful.

Those with the front dinette floor plan, do you use the side windows much at all? It seems like the windows would almost be covered up all the time with the dinette cushions?

It seems after researching rv windows, I can find dual pane flip out windows like these, https://www.ternoverland.com/arctic-tern-window, for as much as a really basic sliding window like FWC uses. There really aren't that many RV window options, since most are made to order and are $$$ because of that. Those of you with a camper, do you see any advantage to having a flip out window like that vs a sliding window?

I'm starting to lean towards not having any windows in the side at all, and just using the ones in the canvas. The canvas ones are higher up and less of a break in/theft risk when the top is down and traveling. Am I wrong on this? Would I want more ventilation? I'm thinking a screen door, two roof vents/fans and the canvas windows should be enough ventilation. I was also thinking of doing windows in the front and back of the canvas as well as the sides.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[MarkBC]

I'm looking for thoughts on camper windows.
...

1) I've heard some remarks about people not wanting the forward most cab window because it becomes a cold spot during cooler travel periods. I don't plan to travel in the cold much, does this window provide any benefit otherwise? Is it at all useful for rearward vision, or the ability to see whats on the pass side of the truck when lane changing? I can't imagine its really useful.

...
2) I'm starting to lean towards not having any windows in the side at all, and just using the ones in the canvas. The canvas ones are higher up and less of a break in/theft risk when the top is down and traveling. Am I wrong on this? Would I want more ventilation? ...

Thanks,
Kevin

For what it's worth:

1) I do use the front window for looking back through from the truck via rear-view mirror while driving. Of course, you have to make sure your rear-door curtains are open, but it is functional for seeing behind (if you don't have a rear-view camera. And when I'm in the camper I like being able to look out that front window and through the truck windshield -- it's the only way to look that direction from inside the camper.

2) I never open the camper (glass) windows for ventilation -- only the ones in the vinyl/canvas pop-up section.

 

[RicoV]

From my point of view, the biggest reason to opt for a side window is for its use as an emergency egress, in the event your normal door entry/exit becomes unsuitable for any reason. Some would argue that a side window is completely unnecessary; maybe so, but it gives me piece of mind at some basic level. I like the awning-style (top-hinged) egress window that FWC put in my Grandby, it fits the bill nicely. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Rico.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I agree with both Mark and Rico. It’s nice to see out the back, and an emergency exit is a must in my book. With respect to the front window, I do not recommend one that opens. They often leak through the weep ports.

 

[Ronin]

I like a lot of natural light so I had my ATC built with windows on both sides as well as the front window. I like to see what's behind me as I'm driving. While sitting inside I don't like the feeling of being in a cave and if I hear any weird noises I can just look out the window instead of having to poke my head out the rear door. At least one side window is a must for emergency egress. I camp fall through spring and if it's really cold I have insulation ready to put up against the side and front windows. My prior 2 Hawks had front sliders that never leaked but apparently it's a common problem. ATC recently stopped using front sliders on their builds. My $.02.

 

[craig333]

I could be wrong but I think an emergency exit is a requirement. The only window I use is the rear door window and the pop up windows. I'm fine with that.

 

[klahanie]

Front window: We have a slider. Like it for covered ventilation; viewing forward from inside (we often back into a camp spot but note, the cab window tinting reduces visibility at night); the occasional carrying of long items in camper; potential pass / reach thru to the cab.

Side window: We have a large side slider behind a side couch. It is too low to be of much use for sitting and "looking out" so we cover it with a curtain and store stuff in front of it. and never open it for ventilation as there is no protection from rain.

Emerg exit: As mentioned, window is a good idea tho if you always had the top up when inside, I suppose it wouldn't be hard to cut a vinyl type soft wall.

Windows in link: Those flip outs look good for venting and popping out for emerg. Also uses less wall area than a slider. One caution, I've read the poly windows can scratch easier than glass (think branches).

Ventilation: Top down sleeping (with rear door closed) we rely on our two roof vents, an open turnbuckle port and perhaps the front slider. Note that rain can enter open roof vents if they are open more than just a little bit which reduces air flow (ours anyway) - and air flow is important in damp weather. Building your own, you could add vents to the main living area on any wall.

Windows in soft wall. Perversely, ours are a bit too high for "looking out" when we're not in the cab over berth. They are great for light and ventilation but again, rain protection may need to be addressed.

 

[Ghettofab75]

I agree with both Mark and Rico. It’s nice to see out the back, and an emergency exit is a must in my book. With respect to the front window, I do not recommend one that opens. They often leak through the weep ports.

So the front sliding window under the cabover beds leak? Seems like an odd spot to get a leak being under the cabover. I don't have a sliding rear window on the truck so I wouldn't install a slider anyways.

It does sound like a fair number of users like to see towards the back of the truck so that's probably a good one to keep.

I hadn't considered the emergency exit aspect of the side windows. So that's a very valid point. Truth be told I can't for see many situations where it would be used vs leaving through the rear door. These campers are so small I'm not sure that any direction has much advantage. I don't know I would even think I had an emergency window in an emergency. I realize that to sell a camper it has to have at least one emergency exit. It does get me thinking about possibly a zippered escape flap in the canvas front wall though. I have also seen large skylights in some campers double as an e-escape path, although I can't imagine climbing up to use it. I guess if the truck was on its side it would work, although I don't know how it would wind up on its side with the top popped. I would never plan to have anyone in the camper with the top down, nor do I really plan to ever camp that way.

Thanks all for the input. Keep it comin!

Kevin

 

[Alvis]

ATC Ocelot - I like my front slider window. See through camper when driving, more ventilation, ... Have not had any leak issues.

 

[Vic Harder]

ATC Puma, shell... build underway. It has a front slider, and I am thinking of removing it and having a solid front wall with cabinets. I use a backup camera for rear view vision.

 

[CougarCouple]

Morning Ghettofab75
If I were to make changes would only have two windows in the fabric section, probably in the center. Would change the front slider to small fixed. Don’t have front seat dining. Would definitely have side louvered window with emergency exit. Times 2 on the powered roof vents. Don’t forget to document your build.

Russ

 

[Stokeme]

Consider no-see-um screen netting for the soft windows if travel takes you where they can be prevalent. I wish FWC had done so.

 

[DesertDave]

Thoughts on side windows. On my first camper I used a standard-cab truck and had the side couch. I needed to look through that window when driving, for example when I needed to check for traffic on my right when the intersection was over 90 degrees. In that instance that side window was critical.

On my current truck/camper I have an extra cab and front dinette. I can see fine out the side windows of the truck and never look out the camper side windows. They are blocked by the cushions anyway, and until such time as I need to set up a low bed, they remain blocked and unused.

Thoughts on front window. I sometimes use a velcroed-in screen on the front slider for extra ventilation - especially nice when it is raining. I always use it to look behind me through the rear door to judge how close tailgaters are - those depth-perception challenged folks who are too close to see in the side mirrors.