Tips on adding a window

[Gerogesin]

I'll be adding a window to the top bunk of an apex nano 208bhs. It has an azdel exterior. Any tips before I make my first hole with a holesaw? Planning to put the new window above the old one.

[Boomerweps]

Measure thrice, cut once. No repairing Azdel panels, no pressure
You might want to ball park where you want it on the outside, measure, then remeasure on the inside to match the current window. Drill a few marker holes from the inside using the new window’s frame inside edge. Then go back outside, draw the inside of the window frame, and use that for the first rough opening hole cut. THEN you can measure and draw for the finish hole cut that matches the current window.
You may find out you need to reinforce across studs. Likely easiest to use a hole saw to Swiss cheese the stud up the wall between the Azdel and inner paneling, then chisel out the rest to inset a cross stud reinforcement.
Don’t push on the hole saw or any saws, let the blade do the work chewing away the wood and the Azdel.

Found a good amount of RV windows on Amazon. Considering one that opens for my door.

[Gerogesin]

Thanks for the advice. I attached a picture to give you a better idea. Its hard to landmark the exterior and interior without drilling a small hole first. First I'm most worried about any metal studs being in the way and secondly worried about any water penetration. I think I can fix the latter with good rv caulk.

Is there some sort of stud finder than can detect metal studs? An xray machine would be good here!

Originally Posted by Boomerweps

Measure thrice, cut once. No repairing Azdel panels, no pressure
You might want to ball park where you want it on the outside, measure, then remeasure on the inside to match the current window. Drill a few marker holes from the inside using the new window’s frame inside edge. Then go back outside, draw the inside of the window frame, and use that for the first rough opening hole cut. THEN you can measure and draw for the finish hole cut that matches the current window.
You may find out you need to reinforce across studs. Likely easiest to use a hole saw to Swiss cheese the stud up the wall between the Azdel and inner paneling, then chisel out the rest to inset a cross stud reinforcement.
Don’t push on the hole saw or any saws, let the blade do the work chewing away the wood and the Azdel.

Found a good amount of RV windows on Amazon. Considering one that opens for my door.

[flymhi]

Most electronic stud finders have a deep stud scan as well as metal scan. I would be concerned about electrical that may be routed in the area. If you have access to a wire tracer/toner, I would hook it up to the 12v trailer plug and tone near the area listening for the alternating tones in the area you plan on cutting. Pics of both tools below.

[HaulinMyHarley]

The best idea for seeing what's in the wall whether it be cables, studs, pipes, or whatever is to use a Walabot wall scanner device. This device in conjunction with an app on your phone "sees" through the wall. It really works and can discriminate between wood, metal and plastic objects. Best I've found short of an x-ray.
Happy drilling & cutting!

http://walabot.com/

[rollscanardly]

You could get a borescope and drill a hole large enough to insert the lens.

Of course, the borescope would have to be able to light up, which many do.

Then you could look around in between the walls.

Rich

[Wolf26]

If it was me, I would cut the inside paneling first to see what is inside. If everything looks good to go, drill thru to the outside. Its easer to fix the paneling than it is the outside.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

You could get a borescope and drill a hole large enough to insert the lens.

Of course, the borescope would have to be able to light up, which many do.

Then you could look around in between the walls.

Rich

Aren't most RV walls thin wood inside, foam in the middle, and then the outer skin? I'm not sure you can really "look around in between the walls".

[Gerogesin]

I forgot to attached the file.

I will definitely try that app to see if it works. So far the plan is to use the electric current tester, deep stud finder (hoping it'll work for this purpose) and try that app!

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

You could get a borescope and drill a hole large enough to insert the lens.

Of course, the borescope would have to be able to light up, which many do.

Then you could look around in between the walls.

Rich

It is an exterior wall, it is going to be full of insulation........he won't be able to see much except directly in front of the lens, and good luck figuring out where that is at any given moment.

[D W]

Originally Posted by Gerogesin

I forgot to attached the file.

I will definitely try that app to see if it works. So far the plan is to use the electric current tester, deep stud finder (hoping it'll work for this purpose) and try that app!

Take a look at that outside section early in the morning when it's cool, just as the sun is coming up. You should be able to get rough idea of where the stud work is located.

[Jay2504]

Why not just get the drawings from Coachman? Also there may be an issue with the header board above the existing window. Jay

[fshrlou]

Here is where the factory is putting the window in the newer 2021s. This is a 208BHS

[WanderMore]

Are there any factory videos on YouTube that can give you a better view of studs/wires?

[SmackIt]

I tried that Walabot unit and did not like it at all. Readings were not much better than a regular stud finder and trying to use it with a phone is very clumsy. The materials inside the camper wall may have different heat signatures at different times of the day. A Flir camera can help you see what's inside.



I was able to trace some power lines by running a space heater on the wall outlet which warmed the power cable enough to see where they went in the wall.

[clint6760]

Originally Posted by Gerogesin

I'll be adding a window to the top bunk of an apex nano 208bhs. It has an azdel exterior. Any tips before I make my first hole with a holesaw? Planning to put the new window above the old one.

New member but was thinking of doing the same thing to my 194bhs. Did you ever go through with it and if so do you have any tips. Thanks

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

Why not just get the drawings from Coachman? Also there may be an issue with the header board above the existing window. Jay

I can pretty much guarantee you there is no header above the window. 5 to 1 there’s no structure at all around it.

[dustman_stx]

Might have a stud on the front side where the awning arm is on second thought, but not necessarily.

[Gerogesin]

Originally Posted by clint6760

New member but was thinking of doing the same thing to my 194bhs. Did you ever go through with it and if so do you have any tips. Thanks

Yes I've started. Its raining for the next couple of days so I have to wait before putting in the window. I basically drilled several pilot holes and made the cut with a good Bosch blade for metal. The trick is to go slow to minimize chipping. Put some painters tape so you don't scratch the surface.

I will double layer some eternabond tape around the window instead of buying the foam strip. Then I will seal the exterior with proflex sealant.

[Rolland]

Originally Posted by clint6760

New member but was thinking of doing the same thing to my 194bhs. Did you ever go through with it and if so do you have any tips. Thanks

I added a small window to a fifth wheel we had, the outside was Filon (not Azdel) inside was luan with rigid foam in between and glue to both surfaces. Even though a few owners of the same model assured me their were no studs or wiring I took the time to use a stud finder to confirm.

Also took the caution to work from the inside, cutting the luan, then removing the foam, then drilling the exterior Filon last to have the hole for the window. The biggest reason for the approach I used was if I came across something and had to scrap the install, I could always come up with a way to repair the inside.

Before even starting on the inside I took the inside trim of the window I was installing and traced the size hole I would need to make in a scrap piece of 1/4” plywood I had for a template. Then fit both the window and trim in the template. I then put blue painters tape in the area on the inside wall, traced the hole where I wanted it using the template and used my oscillating saw to cut the hole. After getting the rigid insulation removed I drilled some holes from the inside so I could match up the template on the outside and mark where I needed to cut.

Taking your time I think an oscillating saw would do well on the Azdel, but can’t say for sure.