Boarding up a window (1 Viewer)

[maz]

One of the windows on our van has developed a crack. We are going to get a replacement window from Eeco near Halifax but as we full time in the van we are going to deliver and collect it from them ourselves, rather than send it in the post.
We will tie this in with a few weeks in the Yorkshire Dales and County Durham, but the trip up to Halifax will necessitate about 4 hours of motorway driving.

To get to the point, we plan to board up the hole where the window was with plywood on battens but I am a bit wary of driving at sustained motorway speeds with this arrangement - especially as the van has slightly curved sides so the plywood will not be a completely flush fit.

What do you reckon? Is it safe to drive the van like this or not? Any opinions gratefully received.

 

[Kevan]

if the window is still in, how about cling film will stop any rain getting in, just a thought

 

[scotjimland]

I'd try strong polythene sheet and gaffer tape..

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[Autowbars]

You may find that EECO can let you keep the existing window after measuring.

 

[Dognewf]

duck or gaffer tape would be my choice. assuming the window is there.

 

[Terry]

Hi cut 2 bits of 2 x 1 ins 4/6 ins longer than the window -place inside and screw through the ply so that it squashes the ply to the 2 x 1 on the inside or as already suggested poly and gaffer tape
terry

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[maz]

You may find that EECO can let you keep the existing window after measuring.

That would be great but it's a curved frameless window so I think it will be needed for them to create a moulding for the new window. Have been told that the process will take 2 to 3 weeks .......

 

[maz]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

No, the window will not still be in place - it will be left with Eeco. At the moment we have sealed the crack with tape, which stops any moisture getting in. However, once the window is out we need a secure way to block off the window hole for a few weeks. It would be too easy for someone to just cut through polythene sheet.

So, plywood on battens as Terry says is the way we are planning to do it. But it's the fact that the van has curved sides that is making me a bit twitchy about driving at speed with the plywood in place. Can't find a photo to illustrate the van sides, but they bow out slightly in the middle from top to bottom - think traditional gypsy caravan but on a less exaggerated scale. It's a Hobby Toskana 750.

We're thinking of using rubber draughtproofing strip around the edges of the plywood to try to fill the gaps where it will not be flush with the window hole. But will that be enough to stop the plywood trying to lift off at motorway speeds?

 

[movan]

Might be silly suggestion as I can't imagine window ... if you place board over it INSIDE would it not be better? I used a flat piece of thin lightweight metal.. ok no light but from outside looked secure to keep would be thieves away.

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[Autowbars]

I know the contour of the hobby, externally some thin ply wrapped in cling film with 2/3 battens inside will bend the thin ply just fine.
Maybe some foam draught excluder on the inside of the ply.
It will be more secure than the original window.

 

[rangi]

Post #10 is the way to go , 3mm or 5mm ply BOLTED THRO TO 50X25 BATTENS not screwed BOLTED ! nuts on the inside

 

[maz]

I know the contour of the hobby, externally some thin ply wrapped in cling film with 2/3 battens inside will bend the thin ply just fine.
Maybe some foam draught excluder on the inside of the ply.
It will be more secure than the original window.

Thank you for that. Feel a bit happier about driving with it like that now.

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[maz]

Post #10 is the way to go , 3mm or 5mm ply BOLTED THRO TO 50X25 BATTENS not screwed BOLTED ! nuts on the inside

Thanks for that, Rangi. It's pretty much how we plan to do it.

PS In our van, the nuts are always on the inside!

 

[Lot lover]

duck .....would be my choice. assuming the window is there.

I might even pay to see that temp fix