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  1. #21
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    Oservations and ramblings about dual pane windows

    I have read many posts over the last couple pf years regarding dual pane windows. Most who have them love them. I have single pane windows and have no trouble with them. They work well for us. So I thought I'd give a single pane counterpoint. Besides, I'm stuck in this bed for four hours and I'm bored. BTW, these are conclusions I've come to for me and is in no way meant to determine whether DP's worthwhile or not.

    The discussion about dual pane windows is interesting. Lots of conflicting info. One person says there's no gas between panes, another claims an inert gas such as Argon is in there. Estimates on increased weight seem to vary quite a bit. The R value seems to be debatable. I've read a few posts that say they still have condensation issues but most say they cure it. The sound attenuation makes sense.

    Even though they are an option on the 315RLTS that I have I wouldn't order them because CCC is 2000lbs. I don't see adding 300+ lbs to the trailer's uvw. Also, I don't do extensive winter camping, don't need them for that. My trailer is pretty comfy in 100 degree weather using the awnings and A/Cs. As far as condensation, I don't really have a problem. There's only the two of us. We do camp in freezing and foggy weather, we like the Oregon coast in Feb. My weather station has an interior hygrometer and I keep my eye on it. When humidity gets to 50% or so inside I open the roof vent and turn the fan on low. The fireplace and furnace keep up easily, even in freezing temps.I have added insulation to the belly and frame rails, that helps. Usually takes 10- 15 minutes. No need to skip showers or not cook. Drops the humidity pretty quickly. BTW, using the propane furnace adds little to no humidity in the trailer according to the hygrometer. I've never had enough condensation on a window to need to wipe it up. Usually if there is any it disappears when the humidity drops below 50%.

    At $1400+, for me, dual panes advantages don't outweigh the disadvantages of cost and weight. I don't live in my trailer and don't intend to camp in harsh winter conditions either. The best way to combat that is to use the wheels to get somewhere warmer.

    People that have 'em seem to love 'em. But there's a lot to ponder when deciding to get them or not, like your CCC, cost and how you intend to use your rig.

    As always, YMMV and this editorial does not represent the views of management.

    CBM

  2. #22
    Long Hauler DaveMatthewsBand's Avatar
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    Chief makes a fair point. It is possibly more about perception and opinion.

    I realize DPW are not a “major improvement” over SPW and some don’t want to lose valuable CCC but I think of it like this...

    On a cool day I am more comfortable wearing 2 T-shirts under my jacket than only wearing 1 T-shirt. Even though the shirt is very thin, just as thin as the other one, the layers make a noticeable difference.

    For me, $1,100 was an inexpensive option to get get what I feel to be a worthwhile option in a trailer we would be living in full time for several years.



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  3. #23
    Long Hauler Canyonlight's Avatar
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    Moderators - possibly one of you could add the words dual or double pane windows to the title of this thread to add clarity on what the issue real is and to help locate it in the future using the search tools.

    @howson @Cate&Rob @TucsonJim @Country Campers

    Thanks, guys !

    Dan
    Dan & Carol
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  4. #24
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Toes in the water View Post
    Moderators - possibly one of you could add the words dual or double pane windows to the title of this thread to add clarity on what the issue real is and to help locate it in the future using the search tools.

    @howson @Cate&Rob @TucsonJim @Country Campers

    Thanks, guys !

    Dan
    Done! (Good suggestion Dan--thanks.)
    2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
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  5. #25
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Kim @Chiefblueman makes a good point that condensation on the windows is more about controlling the humidity in the trailer than about the small surface temperature difference between single and dual pane glass. The only time that we have significant condensation on our single pane windows is when the temperature has dropped quickly and the interior of the trailer still contains high humidity warm air. Getting an exhaust fan going pushes out the moist air and draws in the low humidity outside air. Problem solved. As the guy in the video linked by @Bill & Tori in post 16 describes . . . lowering the window blinds has a big affect on heat transfer . . . in either direction.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

  6. #26
    Long Hauler bertschb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chiefblueman View Post
    ...The discussion about dual pane windows is interesting. Lots of conflicting info. One person says there's no gas between panes, another claims an inert gas such as Argon is in there. Estimates on increased weight seem to vary quite a bit. The R value seems to be debatable. I've read a few posts that say they still have condensation issues but most say they cure it. The sound attenuation makes sense...
    That pretty much sums it up!

    We ordered dual pane windows on our Reflection to help cut down on condensation and to help reduce noise. We didn't order them for their increased R value because I didn't think it would make much if any difference. The problem I have (actually my wife mainly) with the dual pane windows that were installed in our Reflection is they were difficult to slide open. Pain in the b*tt really. Ours may not have been installed correctly but almost all the windows were very difficult to open and close. The non-dual pane windows pop open at the bottom which is much easier! Plus my wife and I both prefer the sleeker look of the frameless non-dual pane windows. Soooooo, when we ordered the Solitude we chose not to get dual pane windows.

    We only use our RV in the winter in Palm Springs where humidity is very low. Because we've never camped when humidity was high I really can't say if the dual pane windows help with condensation. And, since our RV park is pretty quiet, I'm not sure if the dual pane windows in our Reflection were any quieter.

    We did recently see a Solitude that the dealer said had dual pane windows and they looked identical to ours (frameless). If Grand Design made frameless dual pane windows that popped open at the bottom, I would have ordered them for our Solitude. Why? Because some day we may camp where the humidity is high and if that happens, I don't want fogged up windows. But, for where we stay, standard windows work fine for us.
    Brian & Kellie
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
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    Previous setups:
    2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
    2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch

  7. #27
    Big Traveler
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    Quote Originally Posted by DaveMatthewsBand View Post
    Chief makes a fair point. It is possibly more about perception and opinion.

    I realize DPW are not a “major improvement” over SPW and some don’t want to lose valuable CCC but I think of it like this...

    On a cool day I am more comfortable wearing 2 T-shirts under my jacket than only wearing 1 T-shirt. Even though the shirt is very thin, just as thin as the other one, the layers make a noticeable difference.

    For me, $1,100 was an inexpensive option to get get what I feel to be a worthwhile option in a trailer we would be living in full time for several years.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    The rest of your story is you boondock almost exclusively and run off your fab solar system year round. Any extra insulating factor you can get makes total sense.
    I've seen pics of where you camp. Doesn't look like sound attenuation is a factor for you, there's never anybody around to make noise!

  8. #28
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    Our first travel trailer didn't have them. Every unit since has. Being on both sides of ownership, with and without dual pane, I won't buy a unit without them again.

    Noise reduction
    Less heat
    Less condensation in cold weather


    Especially with how large the windows are in the momentum, we are happy we did it. When our unit was at the dealer they had another momentum right in front of it, facing the same direction. The noise reduction from the busy road by itself was worth it. The glass was notably cooler and the frames sightly cooler to the touch. I didn't have my infrared thermometer with me, I wish I did, but I'm happy we have them and will buy them in any future RV
    2019 Momentum 395
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  9. #29
    Commercial Member huntr70's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bertschb View Post
    If Grand Design made frameless dual pane windows that popped open at the bottom, I would have ordered them for our Solitude.
    Any Solitude that options the DPW are the same frameless window, with dual panes. It doesn't change to a framed window.

    The S series has the framed windows no matter what you choose.
    Steve- Inventory Manager at Tom Schaeffer's RV, Shoemakersville, PA www.tomschaeffers.com
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    2011 RAM 3500 SRW Outdoorsman Edition 4X4, 6.7 Cummins--TWEAKED!
    2021 Reflection 310RLS

  10. #30
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Interesting discussion that dual pane is available in frameless tip-out windows and full opening sliders. When we were shopping, we weren't really focussed on single vs dual pane glass, but we knew that we wanted wide opening windows.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

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