Dear Dave,
I have a 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador motorhome with slide windows. The ventilation is excellent. When I think of getting a newer coach I’m hesitant because of the new window designs that just tip out at the bottom. It just doesn’t look like you could get a breeze flowing through the RV very well. Being able to spend as much time as possible without the air conditioners running is important to me. They do look good, though. Am I wrong about the new windows? —Ed
Dear Ed,
It’s another example of “form over function” in my opinion. Everyone wants that sleek look of the frameless window on the side of a full body painted unit. In my opinion, the slider provides superior airflow, like you said, and has less of a need for roof air conditioning.
I have noticed that many models will have the tip out windows in the kitchen and living room area, as I would suppose you could leave the entrance door open and have the screen door shut to get some good airflow. Combine that with the roof vent and it should be sufficient.
The advantage of the tip out window is being able to leave it open when it’s raining, or if there is a chance of rain if you leave to go sightseeing or run an errand. However, window awnings typically do well for that.
If the tip out window is a deal breaker and puts those units on your do-not-want list, you might consider replacing the RV’s frameless tip out windows with an after-market one from Lippert or Hehr, which are the two most popular. I do know that Hehr offers the same size window in either slider or tip out, so it should be an easy swap.
Replacing your RV’s frameless tip out windows
Remove the old window. The new window’s slider will fit flush to the sidewall. The interior frame (or “ring”) screws into the outside frame and sandwiches the window in the sidewall. It’s very easy to install—just make sure you run a strip of butyl tape on the outside frame. Also, when you take the standard window out, check the cutout to see if there is sealant on the edge of the insulation. It’s a good idea to use a sealant there to prevent any moisture penetration. Check out the video here.
Let’s get some feedback from our readers! What do you like best, sliders or frameless tip outs? One more thing from me, check out the question from yesterday about how to make the tip out window go out farther.
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook” as well as the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club.
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If you dry camp the slider is a blessing. We have window awnings and they work well in keeping the rain out.
Sliders are hard to keep clean imho.
We’re slider fans. Lots of fresh air blowing through the trailer. But I also agree that the ‘fashionable’ push-out windows look sexy and cool, especially if you have a fancy paint job on your RV.
But, sliders all the way for us.
We have tip out windows. With the windows tipped out and the MaxiFans turned on, we get an adequate air flow. I like the window design keeping the rain out when open.
No hands down, sliders would provide more air flow, but more water inside the coach.
I’m old fashioned, I’ll take the jalousie crank out windows, plenty of air flow with little to no rain inside. I have been in a heavy rain with the window opened 75% and didn’t get any rain inside but still had air flow. That was in 1978, but they’re not as attractive as the tip out. I was also living in northern IL. Now in FL never open windows because A/C is necessary to be comfortable.
We have tip out windows. Depending on outside temp when leaving for the day we will open them, place 2 small fans next to windows on the shady side to suck air in and turn on our fantastic fans full speed. Upon returning we leave the screen door open and open the small windows in the front of the MH. Works well but you’re never going to cool the RV’s temperature down below ambient air temp so sometimes I use the AC
We chose our current motorhome, a Tiffin, over other brands specifically because Tiffin still uses slider windows. We love opening all the windows on a pleasant day and the frameless tip-out windows just aren’t enough for us.
Motion Windows in Vancouver,WA makes custom windows to exactly fit any opening. They almost certainly could make a replacement sliding window. Making a very accurate measurement of the window rough opening is essential and is best done by first removing the old window.
I believe Hehr was bought and closed by Lippert, the junk king of RV’s!
Our current RV is the first with tip out style windows. Over the years we’ve also had jalousie and sliders.
Jalousie are horrible when it’s cold…too much air leakage around all the “seams.” Sliders are great for max air movement, but as noted, can’t be left open in rain sans window awnings.
We’re OK with the frameless tipouts. With the ceiling fans operating, sufficient air is pulled through. Of course one needs fan vent covers or you are back to rain infiltration.
There can be some seal or dirt left around the window hole after you remove the old windows from your RV. Prior to moving on to the following stage, it is best to clean it.
I would not buy an RV with frameless windows again. When we are dry camping and I cook it becomes an oven inside. And yes I have windows door and vents open.