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Ever since first getting one of these windows on our Travato years ago, we’ve been loving dual-pane acrylic windows in our RVs. In this video, we go into the reasons why.
Since we tend to do a lot of cold-weather camping, I’ll say that we just wouldn’t consider traveling in an RV that did not have dual-pane acrylic windows. Their thermal performance is just that good. But that’s not the only reason we like them. They excel in all of these areas:
- Thermal performance (of course)
- Acoustic performance (they’re quiet)
- Aesthetic performance (they’re unobstructed, and they open wide)
- Security performance (they have a latching vented position)
- Weight performance (they weight much less than glass)
With all these going for them, and only one real negative (OK. So you can’t wash them with steel wool – I think I’ll live) we think they should be standard on pretty much all RVs.
But they are a premium product. They do cost a bit more, so you’re not likely to see them on entry-level RVs. But you can get them on a number of Winnebago products, like our very own Winnebago EKKO.
Also, unlike glass windows, custom sizes aren’t really possible with this type of window. So if you want to retrofit your own RV’s windows, check carefully and make sure your window sizes are compatible before you get too excited.
This is probably one of the ways you can tell how serious you are about cold weather camping with your next RV… If the rigs you’re considering all tend to have dual-pane acrylic windows, then you’re part of the cold weather club. (It’s a cool club. Ha!)
Oh – And a couple links for you
If you want to find the DIY Paint Protection film I mention in the video, here’s one place you can find it, right on Amazon.
The Meguiar’s Plastic Polish I mention in the video is also available on Amazon, here.
Here’s the Dometic Window Polish I mention in the video (yes, it’s showing an Italian site).
And finally, here are some microfiber cleaning cloths I’ve bought on Amazon. It’s like $17 for a ridiculously large number of cloths.
Travato GL owner here with 80+ mods…. Acrylic Insulated windows just got added to my research list; hoping to find a source to retrofit my GL; any insights? Though you mention you don’t know who makes them.. maybe you got some leads?
If you strike out in the US, you can always try Europe. They’re more popular there.
Dometic sells some.
Seitz is another name.
Plastoform made the single one we had in our Travato.
Arctic Tern is a brand that some folks in the US retrofit with.
Finding the right size is going to be your difficult bit.
Good luck!!
Totally agree with your assessment, we love our acrylics as well. Question, you noted manufacturer of the windows.. are the windows in the Sprinter version and the Transit versions of the Ekko the same?
I would assume so, but that’s based on nothing more than the thought that Winnebago would enjoy ecoomonies of scale by buying both from the same source.
I know the Sprekko uses dual pane acrylic windows, but I cannot verify the manufacturer. Perhaps someone with a Sprekko will chime in?
I love my Dometic acrylic windows but be careful with them. Don’t leave the windows open if you’re expecting strong winds or they may be torn off. And stay away from tree branches as the windows scratch easily or can be punctured. Replacement windows are impossible to find, so you’ll have to spend big money for the entire window and frame assembly. Ask me how I know. 🙂
So sorry to hear you’ve had to have the windows replaced. We haven’t had any of those things happen to us.
What does it take to puncture one?? (Perhaps we don’t want to know…)
Love you guys….but the big glaring omission in your review is that if you’re the type of person who likes to camp on public land, you will eventually – without a doubt – experience tree branches / foliage brushing past your windows as you access that great boondock spot. Aka “desert pinstripes.” Acrylic windows will not survive this unscathed, sadly.
Yes, and we mention that towards the end. On our own windows, we have professionally-installed “clear bra” type material for just this reason. But there are DIY options available. (Link in the post above.)
But even without that, we’d make the same choice. Because on the one hand, you can have single pane glass windows that suck thermally, suck acoustically, and gather condensation – 100% of the time, infuriatingly, on every single trip you ever take. Or, on the other hand, you have a window you *might* scratch one day, but that will beat the single pane glass windows on every performance metric, every single trip.
I want to hear more about the “next” RV.
Seriously, remind me what was the final straw for Lance that motivated the move to One?
You’ve done such an amazing job upgrading One, that I’d be surprised if there were any “pain points” left.
Anyway, if there is a next in your immediate future, my money is on Sprekko.
Well, we have no immediate plans for a “next” RV, but we’re always watching!
The one main problem we had with Lance was that we always had to decide on either bringing the bikes or the cat (which meant the bikes went in a small trailer). There just wasn’t room for both inside at the same time. We don’t have that problem with Number One. And you’re right, we have no real pain points with it. But I always think it’s fun to dream.
Thank you for another intelligent video on double pane windows. the only reason I’m not buying an ekko is the cassette toilet. The coachman 20gx has a black tank but single pane windows… I have had a a Hymer exis t 580 in Europe for 5 years and I really had enough of cassettes… Mine is well insulated with double pane acrylic windows but, in the cold, 26 kgs of propane don’t last too long. wish the Ekko had a gasoline heater.
Cordially, Paul.
You could always convert the EKKO to gasoline powered heat… We did! You can watch the video on this post for details.
On the Sprekko version can it be converted to diesel?
Yes. Timberline offers a diesel product. Winnebago uses it on the Revel.