Safari windows fitted

[TeeCeeJay]

By a very scientific method of stuffing loo roll in the gaps between the window and the trim and pouring vast amounts of water behind the window, I think I have found where it’s getting in. It’s the top right hand side (if in the van facing the window). I did struggle a bit there as the bonding agent is rather tough to squeeze out of the tube with the gun. So I’m thinking I have nothing to lose and may as well try and plug it from the inside. I’m thinking of flattening the end of silicone nozzle, ramming it in and giving it a good squeeze. I appreciate this is a bit cowboy, but if anyone else has any ideas of salvaging this mess before full window removal, please let me know. I wasn’t even trying to cheap out with this, just really fancied working on the van myself………. Lesson learned the hard way I guess!

That sounds like exactly how I got our window to leak. It was my 2nd window and my arms were knackered! So the sealant went a bit too thin. Try the fill it with gunk method first. I don't know how well new sealant will bond to old sealant. That's how I ended up having to get mine cut out and done by a man with an electric sealant gun.

 

[Jay-D]

Thank you both @Rioja John & @TeeCeeJay! Luckily it’s not pouring in so I’m guessing it’s a small gap, likely where the bond was a bit thin. Excuse my ignorance, what’s the gunk method? (Edit: sorry been a long day, gunk as in the creeping crack sealant stuff)

 

[cossie]

It’s Always good have a go on your own, think them mods are more rewarding! I think if you’ve found where the problem is you will be able to cure it Just think even VW get it wrong with their resources and money….

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Thank you both @Rioja John & @TeeCeeJay! Luckily it’s not pouring in so I’m guessing it’s a small gap, likely where the bond was a bit thin. Excuse my ignorance, what’s the gunk method? (Edit: sorry been a long day, gunk as in the creeping crack sealant stuff)

Yeah gunk just my slang for black sticky window sealant

 

[Jay-D]

Captain tolleys creeping crack cure is very good for sealing window leaks if you do buy it and try it any that over runs the bodywork wipe off straight away as it’s a pain once dry.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Tolleys-Creeping-Crack-sealer/dp/B003T6EJ9A

Gave it a good few rounds of Captain Tolleys, during the rare good weather we had Thursday and Friday. Thought I kept it off the paint work, nice full length trail down the side of the van on Saturday morning! Autoglym tar remover made light work of it. It’s absolutely chucked it down today in Manchester and so far so good, bone dry around the trim. I haven’t had chance to take it for a drive in heavy rain yet as that will be the real test, but I’m cautiously optimistic!

Also apologies for highjacking the thread on this matter, but I’m loving the safari window! Still need to install the second one……..

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Finally got round to getting ours fitted. Really happy with it. So much more open area than a slider. Need to take a trip to Woburn now!

 

[Greybeard]

Finally got round to getting ours fitted. Really happy with it. So much more open area than a slider. Need to take a trip to Woburn now!

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They do look good.
I’d like to have the leaking OEM opening windows on my twin slider Kombi replaced and don’t feel confident enough to do myself.
Who fitted yours, please?
Andy

 

[TeeCeeJay]

They do look good.
I’d like to have the leaking OEM opening windows on my twin slider Kombi replaced and don’t feel confident enough to do myself.
Who fitted yours, please?
Andy

Ours were fitted by a local company here in Cambs. They had to smash the old one to get it out because there wasn't enough space to get the cheese wire in.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Watch these if you fancy a go at DIY ing it.

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

So many horror stories of leaking windows I’m very dubious to any openers …. Uk weather isn’t that great that they are needed … you can’t sleep with them open either

 

[Greybeard]

Watch these if you fancy a go at DIY ing it.

Thank you for your prompt replies.
I’ll watch vids, which will probably put me off proper!
Did the installers need to smash your VW OEM slider window, or THQ safari one??

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Neither. It was a plain window previously that was bonded too close to the van.

I did the back windows myself last year after watching almost every window fitting video on YouTube!

 

[Rioja John]

… you can’t sleep with them open either

Yes you can. You can open them very slightly like a normal window and fasten the latches.

 

[Cool Carlos]

Finally got round to getting ours fitted. Really happy with it. So much more open area than a slider. Need to take a trip to Woburn now!

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Getting mine fitted in a couple of weeks. Do you know if the curtains and rails had to be removed to fit the Safari window? It looks like they have left them in place on the THQ video.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Getting mine fitted in a couple of weeks. Do you know if the curtains and rails had to be removed to fit the Safari window? It looks like they have left them in place on the THQ video.

I took our curtains off and left the rails. They won't be able to cheese wire the bonding with the curtain in place.

 

[JumpShip]

I'm liking the look of these more and more at the mo .
Will be off to europe at the end of the year so will get plenty of use
....need a fly mesh

 

[HAL.]

Hi Folks,

After previously owning another type of van with this style window I am completely sold on them. I'm definitely getting one for the drivers side.

However my layout has me sitting on the couch looking out the sliding door window so I'm wondering how much vision I would lose.

Does anyone have the dimensions of the opening (and transparent) part? How much window would I be loosing?

Here's the trade glass one as an example of what I'm looking for (it's too small in my opinion).

Thanks
AL

 

[Rioja John]

I haven’t got the measurements at the moment but you can see from my van that camper glass safari windows are a bigger opener than trade glass UK.

 

[drinfinity]

I like the look of those Camper Glass ones @Rioja John , no latch fixings visible on the outside looks very clean.

@Greybeard For fitting my (not Safari) windows I bought an electric caulking gun from Ali Express. It gives you the deep bead you need, and you just have to steer it. I use it round the house as well, it gives a smoother flow than I can do by hand.
Edit for spelling

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Hi Folks,

After previously owning another type of van with this style window I am completely sold on them. I'm definitely getting one for the drivers side.

However my layout has me sitting on the couch looking out the sliding door window so I'm wondering how much vision I would lose.

Does anyone have the dimensions of the opening (and transparent) part? How much window would I be loosing?

Here's the trade glass one as an example of what I'm looking for (it's too small in my opinion).

Thanks
AL

View attachment 260938

The opening / clear section is 740 x 340
From the top and bottom there is about 80mm and the large section to the right is about 160mm