Obscured windows in 2010 17B

[marant]

I have a problem with the windows at the back of my 2010 17B. They are discolored and obscured. At first I thought the double glazing had failed, but doubt would happen to several windows, especially in the same area of the trailer (all the other windows are fine).

Then I began to wonder if the tinting had failed. I do not know if the tint is on the exterior and can be scraped off or not. When I return home I can check that.

Does anyone have any idea what has happened, and how to fix it? Has anyone else had it happen to their trailer?

[BC_Camper]

Originally Posted by marant

I have a problem with the windows at the back of my 2010 17B. They are discolored and obscured. At first I thought the double glazing had failed, but doubt would happen to several windows, especially in the same area of the trailer (all the other windows are fine).

Then I began to wonder if the tinting had failed. I do not know if the tint is on the exterior and can be scraped off or not. When I return home I can check that.

Does anyone have any idea what has happened, and how to fix it? Has anyone else had it happen to their trailer?

It looks like the seal on dual pane window might be leaking and condensation got between the panes of glass. We have had that happen to windows in our house. Hard to tell for sure by the pictures.

[marant]

B C Camper:
That was originally my thought also, but it was on two windows at about the same time, quite a coincidence. Also, it does not seem to change, regardless of the temperature or humidity. If it is condensation maybe I can hit it with a hair dryer (carefully) and see if I can drive any moisture out.


That is why I am curious about the window tint or some other coating on the glass


.......(Thanks, Donna)

[HABBERDABBER]

I doubt you will see any effect at all. I don't think anything will work, other than replacement of the windows.


Wait! There is 1 thing. As a sailor, I've had electronics get wet and screens fog. I tried the "in a bucket of rice" type drying methods. Nada. But my try was to place the item in an industrial "dry room", 1% relative humidity and used for making prototype lithium batteries. Nada, even after days in there.
Lithium metal exothermically reacts with water, heats up big time, produces hydrogen gas and then ignites the hydrogen gas and burns. Graphite powder is used to put out lithium fires, not water. Thus the 1% RH dry room.



What does work very well is to put an item in a vacuum chamber and draw down the atmosphere. I had access to one at work, and this worked like a charm. The water literally boils off and out at room temperature because of the much reduced air pressure.


So, if Elon Musk has any unused space on his next launch, either your windows or Escape trailer could go up into space....a swell vacuum up there even in low Earth orbit. But who or how to reseal them up there? That's your problem to solve.


Further thought. I've owned a vacuum pump for doing work on air conditioning systems in vehicles. If you remove your windows, find the leak path, or just reseal everything, create an opening and draw a vacuum inside the window with a vacuum pump and then very quickly reseal your vacuum pump opening, you might have a chance. Same deal in vehicle AC systems....if opened, water vapor gets in and you have to get rid of it with a vacuum pump.

[gbaglo]

I'd draw the blinds. Sit outside for the view. Under the awning.

[flynfrfun]

If your problem is that the seal has failed, I have read that you can grind a tiny hole thru the inside pane of glass. Has to be done with a Dremel and the right tip and very carefully. This allows the condensation to work it’s way out. You lose some of the insulation value. But if the seal is leaking you are already losing efficiency. Worst case you break the glass so it’s your call. I couldn’t live with windows all fogged up like that. Or talk to a glass shop.

[Bill and Earline]

We had our rear picture window go out a couple of years ago. Some days were more noticeable than others. That's what led us to conclude the seal had deteriorated.

We made an appointment, and had it replaced at ETI on what turned out to be Reace's last day at the shop. Price was reasonable, and we wished him well.

If I had it to do now, I'd confer with local glass shops. One shop made custom sized dual pane replacement windows for our den a few years ago, so I know it can be done.

[Viajante]

The windows can be repaired. RVfogDr in Searcy, AR does a good job at about 50% of replacement cost and it comes with a guarantee of a couple of years I believe. It’s a days drive for you, which isn’t bad. They are specialists and do it all the time.

You might be able to find a local window shop that can disassemble and repair the windows.

There are YouTube videos showing some do it yourself efforts, but none seem convincing.

Somebody on this forum was going to diy but I don’t know how it turned out.

Ignore the people who tell you to live with it. You’ll be happy you had it fixed every time you look out the window.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Viajante

Ignore the people who tell you to live with it.

I didn't advise. I said what I'd do.
"I'd draw the blinds. Sit outside for the view. Under the awning".

[marant]

Sounds like the consensus is failure of the seal, not any kind of window tint. I am not really concerned about having double pane windows in TX, especially in a 10 year old trailer. Has anyone just had the local glass shop replace with a piece of single pane safety glass?