Bigger Cab Skylight

[RetiredTorng]

I've noticed Class C RVs in other countries have a much bigger skylight window above the cabover. People can stick their heads out and check equipment on top of the roof, even climb out to do maintenance if necessary. Why don't US MH manufacturers do the same?

 

[16ACE27]

Are you calling this vent a "skylight"? Because it is a vent, all have screens, many have fans. The ladder is made for getting on the roof.

 

[RetiredTorng]

Yes, your are correct, that's the vent I talked about. My Chateau 22E has a skylight/vent without a fan above the cabover. The point is if you can stand up on the cabover, stick your upper body out and check roof top equipment, it's much safer than climbing up the ladder and walk on the roof. I am 73 years old and don't feel comfortable walking on the roof any more.

 

[ducksface]

Anything you could see from that vent you could see while standing on ANY ladder(RV or household) WITHOUT getting on the roof.

The things I can't,
I find someone or somehow that can:
Any kid, any neighbor.

Park rv next to your house and go on house roof.

Park rv near any hotel stairwell and go to the second story window in the stairwell.

You or friend with two story house and handy temporary parking for an rv.

$10 selfie stick.

Drone.

My first Drone/quadcopter was bought to inspect a third story roof.
A Drone with a 1080p camera is $37 today on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Drone-1080P-...7&s=cyber-monday&sprefix=drone,aps,215&sr=1-3


This one practically flies itself.
You'll love the drone for rv travel pictures.
$37 buys you something interesting to learn.



I'll need a picture of an larger Standard roof opening.

 

[ghnl]

Our truck camper (long since sold) had a large (~ 24" square) skylight in the cab over. If I recall correctly (but often I do not...) it also had a red handle and was labeled Emergency Exit. I doubt I can get anything beyond my neck out the normal 14" square RV vent.

 

[16ACE27]

Yes, your are correct, that's the vent I talked about. My Chateau 22E has a skylight/vent without a fan above the cabover. The point is if you can stand up on the cabover, stick your upper body out and check roof top equipment, it's much safer than climbing up the ladder and walk on the roof. I am 73 years old and don't feel comfortable walking on the roof any more.

14" x 14" vents are standardized to the same standard opening required by rooftop air conditioners. Besides providing flexibility, they also make it easier for builders to build support for the standard opening.

Getting old sucks. Some people are no longer able to climb up on the roof at 53. At some point you gotta make the decision to value your health (and time) and just pay the younger guys to do stuff for you. That will be sooooo hard for me: I have always worked on anything myself. I know the QC/QA if I do it. Heck, I just replaced 4 tires on my boat trailer this summer using a manual Harbor Freight tire changer because, even at 69, I am too impatient and cheap to take them to a tire store.

 

[RetiredTorng]

Our truck camper (long since sold) had a large (~ 24" square) skylight in the cab over. If I recall correctly (but often I do not...) it also had a red handle and was labeled Emergency Exit. I doubt I can get anything beyond my neck out the normal 14" square RV vent.

Yes, that's what I was talking about. Once my Winegard cover broke in the front, I couldn't see it until the cover was ripped open, too late for repair. I can't see the front of my A/C either, don't know whether it's still solid or not. When I was driving and hit a tree branch, most likely the front is damaged. You can't see the damage frolm the back. I also cannot reach out to the front to clean the roof. With a larger window that I can squeeze my shoulder through, I can see clearly and take care of some minor issues before they become big ones.

It's not just seeing it, it's taking care of any suspected problems immediately when you have the access.

Like I said, I saw RVs from other countries have this large window you can open in the front, I wonder why doesn't US manufactures have it? It should not be difficult. Is it just the manufactures never thought of this?

 

[16ACE27]

Like I said, I saw RVs from other countries have this large window you can open in the front, I wonder why doesn't US manufactures have it? It should not be difficult. Is it just the manufactures never thought of this?

You can buy them. Cost in the $400 to $500 range. Compared to sub $100 14 x 14 vent.

So the answer is cost, customer needs/wants, and standards.

Most RVers can't see the benefit or a larger hatch.

 

[RetiredTorng]

You can buy them. Cost in the $400 to $500 range. Compared to sub $100 14 x 14 vent.

So the answer is cost, customer needs/wants, and standards.

Most RVers can't see the benefit or a larger hatch.

Good idea. Thanks 16ACE27, I'll check with my RV vendors.

 

[ghnl]

I would assume that in addition to buying a new (larger) roof vent/escape hatch the RV's roof framing would need to be modified to accept the hatch.

 

[16ACE27]

I would assume that in addition to buying a new (larger) roof vent/escape hatch the RV's roof framing would need to be modified to accept the hatch.

Yep, hence the manufacturers' standardization on the 14 x 14 opening.

 

[ducksface]

You're thousands and thousands of dollars away from accomplishing this.
All bracing in the roof will need entirely reworked.
I'll go as far as to say anyone who would agree to do this for you will either have a bill for you from an engineer or entirely cannot be trusted to know how to do the work.

I am not understanding the value of looking at your roof through a hole in the ceiling.

Until we get an absolute reason I'm going to counsel newbs to not consider this.

 

[ghnl]

As mentioned, one of our truck campers had the large opening in the cab over area. I do see the value - both for roof examinations and as escape route if 'it' hits the fan.

But, having rebuilt the roof in said truck camper, the framing for the larger hatch has to be part of the design. It would not be a simple add-on.

 

[16ACE27]

You're thousands and thousands of dollars away from accomplishing this.
All bracing in the roof will need entirely reworked.
I'll go as far as to say anyone who would agree to do this for you will either have a bill for you from an engineer or entirely cannot be trusted to know how to do the work.

I am not understanding the value of looking at your roof through a hole in the ceiling.

Until we get an absolute reason I'm going to counsel newbs to not consider this.

Well that's funny.

You think an engineer ran the numbers for bracing for a roof opening?

They may have done that for the roof ribs and sandwich construction taking into account roof load and dynamic forces.

But for the opening bracing, the most an engineer did was add it to the engineering drawings.

The problem with adding the bigger opening bracing to existing lateral ribs is access. The access hole to weld in this bracing will likely have to be much larger that the new vent opening. And then you have to contain the heat from welding to prevent damage to surrounding material.

Easily doable in a bus or cargo trailer conversion.

Not so easy in an existing finished RV.

 

[ducksface]

The bracing is why someone other than someone who agrees to do the work needs to take a look at it.
The added someone better be someone educated in bracing and boxing and not just
'That guy who built a gate once'.

anyone short of a structural engineer could make dire decisions about
'Yup that'll hold it'.

A retrofit requires an entire understanding...not just a Sawzall and a neighbor.

This will never be a good idea.

 

[16ACE27]

This will never be a good idea.

Yup!

 

[RetiredTorng]

I believe I've seen class C sold here (Thor Genesis?) with a wide window over the cab and a remote controlled shade. I believe it can be done. The cost and structural are separate issues and need to be considered.

 

[16ACE27]

I believe I've seen class C sold here (Thor Genesis?) with a wide window over the cab and a remote controlled shade. I believe it can be done. The cost and structural are separate issues and need to be considered.

 

[RetiredTorng]

Thank you very much for all your advices and comments. :bow: