Skylight

[Crows Nest]

Has anyone ever added a skylight to their Escape?

[Viajante]

Sort of. I had to replace the white vent cover after it became brittle and cracked. The replacement from etrailer turned absolutely clear after about 2 years. So I had a skylight of sorts.

It wasn’t good because of the heat buildup. I made a reflector to block the sun, but ended up replacing the vent cover with a different brand that stayed white.

I know people talk about wanting more light in the trailer, but in my experience the skylight wasn’t the answer.

Edit: the vent cover I’m referring to is the manual opening 14x14 vent installed where the air conditioner would go, not the max fan.

[brroberts]

Had one in our Bigfoot. It was tinted some. It had a shade for hot or cold days.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Crows Nest

Has anyone ever added a skylight to their Escape?

Closest I've seen was Johnny Hung replaced the vent with a larger unit. You should be able to find it on youtube.

Ron

[Perry Butler]

We have a large skylight in our Bigfoot. It’s fine in the shoulder season. However in winter I put in silver foil bubble wrap between the skylight and the shade to keep the heat in. In the summer (any sunny day over 65 F) that same bubble wrap to keep the sun out. In summer it can easily raise the inside of the trailer 10-20 degrees F. Today many informed Bigfoot owners don’t order the skylight because of its heating and cooling issues.

I would rather have a MaxxFan in it’s place.

Food for thought,

Perry

[MrLynn]

I have a vague recollection of seeing a photo of a 5.0 with a skylight over the bed. But maybe it was a Bigfoot? Certainly not listed as an option on the current ETI web page.

When we bought our 2013 Ford Expedition used in 2014, I had the dealer install a motorized sunroof (see, I really wanted a convertible). It came with an internal shade, and also opens up a few inches in the back (but no screen). So far (knock wood) it hasn't leaked. I would guess the same company could install one in the roof of an Escape, but matching the contour of the roof might be a problem.

[Selkirk]

From what I understand, any large roof opening (such as a vent, AC, or skylight) would require a wood perimeter frame and/or additional bracing to be installed in the underside of the fiberglass shell. This provides necessary structure and would allow a flange-mounted RV skylight to be screwed into something solid.

I believe the roof bracing for the stock vents/AC is encased in fiberglass when the shell is manufactured in the mold. If the plan is to add a new opening, I would think it would be major surgery to retrofit additional bracing. The whole upper headliner might have to come out....which doesn't look easy. A lot of wiring concealed in the ceiling might have to be re-routed as well.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Selkirk

From what I understand, any large roof opening (such as a vent, AC, or skylight) would require a wood perimeter frame and/or additional bracing to be installed in the underside of the fiberglass shell. This provides necessary structure and would allow a flange-mounted RV skylight to be screwed into something solid.

I believe the roof bracing for the stock vents/AC is encased in fiberglass when the shell is manufactured in the mold. If the plan is to add a new opening, I would think it would be major surgery to retrofit additional bracing. The whole upper headliner might have to come out....which doesn't look easy. A lot of wiring concealed in the ceiling might have to be re-routed as well.

Not necessarily. Johnny's was installed in the A/C opening. He did remove some surrounding wood, but it's there already and if it can support and A/C it can support a skylight.

The unit Johnny installed was way upscale compared to the standard ETI vent. Larger, screened, slide blind and double glazed. I considered installing one but haven't gotten around to it.

Ron

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Not necessarily. Johnny's was installed in the A/C opening. He did remove some surrounding wood, but it's there already and if it can support and A/C it can support a skylight.

The unit Johnny installed was way upscale compared to the standard ETI vent. Larger, screened, slide blind and double glazed. I considered installing one but haven't gotten around to it.

Ron

You are probably referring to a Midi Heki which is European and sold here by Dometic. https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoo...idi-heki-25263

I had one of these in my Winnebago View motor home. Factory put it in as it was large enough to qualify as an escape hatch. They come in several different sizes.

Charles

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Closest I've seen was Johnny Hung replaced the vent with a larger unit. You should be able to find it on youtube.

Ron

Go to 14:20..
https://youtu.be/EavsmBF1dzc?si=V6dO-fvK2Fn_4sG2

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

The unit Johnny installed was way upscale compared to the standard ETI vent. Larger, screened, slide blind and double glazed. I considered installing one but haven't gotten around to it.

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

You are probably referring to a Midi Heki which is European and sold here by Dometic. https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoo...idi-heki-25263

This is what Johnny used…made by Maygood
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25641838037...d48747c6d56d2c

[rubicon327]

If someone wants a drop-in “skylight” solution for the 14x14 opening I can recommend the non-powered 800900 model vent by Fan-tastic Vent. Since bought by Dometic and appear to be discontinued but can still find them if you poke around. Appears available at the link below. Much better quality than the Heng’s garbage that Escape uses. Ours has been holding up well since 2017 and the trailer is rarely covered.

https://www.marinepartdepots.com/pro...removed_item=1
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post183339

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

This is what Johnny used…made by Maygood
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25641838037...d48747c6d56d2c

Yes, that's the one. No surprise that you found it.

The cut out for it is 19.6" x 19.6" and that does take it out of the drop in type. But the square area of opening is almost twice the area of the 14" x 14" one.

Ron