Removing front window

topshelf · Thursday at 8:06 PM

Hi. The metal seal bar that attaches to the caravan acting like a inge has parted, allowing water to pass the seal as there is not enough pressure on it. The screws have lost grip so im hoping to put a longer screw in but failing that il have increase the screw width. Il need to drill the hole but the window is in the way. How do they come out ? If I take the window arms off will it just slide down.? cant post photos at the moment as the file is to big.

JTQ · Thursday at 8:14 PM

Typically they slide out sideways after stays and any end stop is removed.
Or roll right up and separate the hinge.

IanB1485 · Thursday at 8:59 PM

A lot don't, on a lot they have 'wings' on either side of the hinge bar also they can be recessed. To remove these types unscrew the steadies from the front wall , then rotate the window right up and it will detach from the hinge bar , be prepared for the shift in balance by supporting it near the hinge bar.
You should also take off hinge bar off and reseal it and also check the wooden framing under the window seal is not rotted which is the usual reason for the hinge bar screws not gripping.

toad a caravan · 2025-09-19T10:14:42+0100

What year is your caravan, and which windows.My 3 front windows are in a glass fibre moulding which is recessed for the windows,this makes the removal of any of the windows longer to remove,they will not go sideways nor lift and in hook out.

toad a caravan · 2025-09-19T10:24:06+0100

Here is an image I took whilst doing a complete reseal of all my aluminium rails and joint covers,I have an abundance of images on the removal of all aluminium trim and the cleaning and refit also all materials I used,I will post others,please check in the vintage section of this forum,some images have been posted previous

topshelf · 2025-09-19T16:54:44+0100

toad a caravan said:
What year is your caravan, and which windows.My 3 front windows are in a glass fibre moulding which is recessed for the windows,this makes the removal of any of the windows longer to remove,they will not go sideways nor lift and in hook out.

Think i have the same type fitting, its a 2004 sterling . I cant post pictures as the file is to large , gives me a idea of what to look for as I dont want to prise of bend the window at 2004 it will most likly snap. Thanks

topshelf · 2025-09-19T17:02:01+0100

IanB1485 said:
A lot don't, on a lot they have 'wings' on either side of the hinge bar also they can be recessed. To remove these types unscrew the steadies from the front wall , then rotate the window right up and it will detach from the hinge bar , be prepared for the shift in balance by supporting it near the hinge bar.
You should also take off hinge bar off and reseal it and also check the wooden framing under the window seal is not rotted which is the usual reason for the hinge bar screws not gripping.

Im hoping to put a longer screw in and sik a flex the rail that as parted, yes I know a bodge job , the screws have np bite in them but the area is solid I think its because the rail bends here and is under strain, its a 2004 caravan and we have had it 14 years so we have had our moneys worth out of it, the cill board is damp especially after Mondays rain , because the rail was off the van there was no tension on the window seal to stop it coming in the flow from the roof was huge. Thanks

IanB1485 · 2025-09-19T18:19:15+0100

The wooden frame behind the hinge bar is only 23 mm thk with 3 mm of plywood backed vinyl wallpaper behind it ,and the original screws are 20mm , so I would go for slightly larger ones and increasing the countersink diameter , also you can double up on the number of screws securing the hinge bar, remembering once you have drilled clearance holes countersinking the holes. The other thing is to insert small slivers of wood into the existing holes( matchsticks are good) , also precoating the slivers with PU expanding adhesive( wear gloves ) .
Once set, the protruding piece of wood can be cut off with a sharp chisel. I have used this method both on caravans and old door frames in houses when hanging new doors to great effect . The advantage of the PU glue over PVA or other glues is that it will expand into all the small crevices in the wooden frame and sets very hard and is waterproof (it actually relies on water vapour to cure.