Double pane windows

[Airborne]

I am considering a new travel trailer, and I'm thinking about getting double pane windows. I would like to know anyone's thoughts on this if it's worth the value. I was in an upscale Montana fifth wheel who had them and they claim that it keeps the rig cooler in the summer and much warmer turn cold temperatures. Is anybody have any experience with Forest Rivers double pane windows are they worth it?

[B and B]

We have just bought a new Fifth Wheel with dual pane. Was a requirement for the new trailer and also Yeti package for heating the tanks and lines under the trailer for Early/Late season camping.
They are heavy and will add to the trailer weight reducing CCC. Not and issue in my car as we had 5,100 lbs available

[Kimber45]

I am not familiar with double pane rv windows but I did sell residential windows for 12 years.

1. I have been told that rv double pane windows are not thermal pane that they are merely two pains of glass (no dead air space between to add insulation quality)

2. it would take 50 years for you to save back the expense of the windows in saved energy expense. windows are very inefficient no matter how efficient they are. (very low r value)

[dontay]

The double pane windows in our Tiffin motorhome helped a lot with noise. I can't say about cooling or heating difference but RV's are not well insulated so my guess is the energy difference wouldn't be worth the cost.
Some of ours fogged up within a couple of years and we went to a place near Tampa that does a brisk business repairing fogged dual pane windows. It was not cheap so no more dual panes for us.

[B and B]

Hello,

In our case condensation with a thermal break is the reason. Agreed R.005 maybe in heat loss /solar gain.

[Wiscampsin]

We ordered our FR 5th wheel with dual pane windows and they did help in keeping the camper cool/warm without ever fogging up. They also helped with exterior noise. Worth the $ IMO.

[camper1999]

We have them and will order them on our next fifth wheel. They helped with condensation, when you sit by a window the draft is greatly reduced, and helped filter out outside noise.

[dblr]

We optioned them in our last unit a Cedar Creek and they came standard in our current River Stone Legacy and are very pleased with them. I agree they do keep it quieter inside so if in your budget I would get them.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by camper1999

We have them and will order them on our next fifth wheel. They helped with condensation, when you sit by a window the draft is greatly reduced, and helped filter out outside noise.

Agreed!!

[Homebrew]

We requested them in this unit and have been very happy with the sound difference.
I’m sure the heat and A/C run less with double pane over single pane.
My 5th wheel is over 4 years old and No issues with the windows.

[woo10-210]

They're a true dual pane but with a smaller air space than residential windows so not quite as efficient. Still much better than single pane. Even if you don't realize an energy savings you'll definitely appreciate the condensation resistance. Most are now made by Lippert through their acquisitions of Atwood, Hehr, and Taylor Made in the last few years.

[spock123]

I ordered dual pane windows on a Wildcat and honestly I couldn’t tell the difference in noise or condensation.

[Theb2b]

Worked in the window and door manufacture industry for 20+ years. We manufactured our own insulated glass, IG, my question are they true IG, IE insulated glass, or just two pieces of glass set into a common frame?

If true IG then yes fogging is a real concern due to the constant movement of the glass along the edges while the trailer is going down the road and the stressing of the sealant along the spacer bar.
If two pieces of glass set into a common frame then fogging can me minimized by having air openings to allow free movement of air between the space between the glass. This of course defeats the whole purpose of dual pane or insulated glass. But this would prevent condensation on the inside piece of glass and help cut sound transmission from outside to inside.
But to answer the question is it worth it, in the eye of the beholder. I would ask how late or early into camping season are you looking for? There are other methods such as heavy covers over the glass and\or keeping the air moving inside the trailer and minimizing the amount of moisture being generated inside the trailer.

[Malojeer]

Loved ours for the noise factor

[dblr]

Some in our old Cedar Creek did fog up but they were replaced by the factory, now that was around 5 years ago.

[FFred]

Some folks that get into really cold living will use a stick on plastic outside , tightened up with a hair dryer or heat gun,

AND "warmshades " inside which when unrolled are about an inch thick and have magnetic seals to make airtight.

[hondo]

Is there a difference between dual pane and thermo pane windows?

[httntheroad]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

I am not familiar with double pane rv windows but I did sell residential windows for 12 years.

1. I have been told that rv double pane windows are not thermal pane that they are merely two pains of glass (no dead air space between to add insulation quality)

2. it would take 50 years for you to save back the expense of the windows in saved energy expense. windows are very inefficient no matter how efficient they are. (very low r value)

Our build sheet shows thermal

[cstreu1026]

We ordered our Sandpiper with them. We haven't used it yet since it delayed construction and didn't come in until the first week December but I'm expecting that the arctic package will be beneficial for summer camping as well.

[Shamrockthecasbah]

On various Rv forums I often see references to "Thermo pane", "Thermal pane", etc. Some folks seem to think that use of this term means there must be inert gas between the panes. Thermopane used to be a brand of sealed double pane windows, but now this term, and variations, are used generically for double pane glass. So, I wouldn't assume that term guarantees anything beyond double glass, particularly in RVs.

There is also the faulty argument that since r values for single and double un-insulated glass are both so low, that its a waste of money and weight to go with dual pane. Single pane glass has an R value of about 1, while double pane (no inert gas) is about 2. So even though we are talking low r values here, double pane glass will reduce conduction heat transfer through the glass by about 50%. A 50% reduction is huge when we are talking about comfort. I don't think the argument can be well made in terms of cost savings, but when you look at comfort, quietness, and reduced condensation there is a strong case for dual pane.