Right material for a camper window?

I am replacing the rear window on my camper, a 2.5'x4.5' clear sheet of plastic window material is needed. I believe thickness is either 1/8" or 1/4", I have yet to take it out of the frame and check. What is the best kind of material to use?

I have been referring to just plain "plexiglass", but I am not sure if that's what I need.

There are a bunch of options listed in the links below... I am going to jigsaw the cuts I need based of taping and tracing of the previous window. I am not worried about the "safety automotive shatter glass" or anything like that, being that it is a rear window on a hi-rise camper shell.

https://www.eplastics.com/plexiglass/acrylic-sheets/clear

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Glass-Plastic-Sheets-Acrylic-Sheets/N-5yc1vZc9x2

 

You do not want 1/8th. go with 3/16 minimum. The problem is flex and 'drumming'. I just rebuild the rear windoor of my newly aquired $50 camper shell with 3/16 lexan which is less prone to cracking but it is more prone to scratching. Trying to use the stock gasket it kept bowing badly whenever you opened the windoor. I ended up gluing it into the frame with Windo Weld and that helped with rigidity. I put plexiglass in another application, and it was riveted in. We ended up switching to lexan too because the plexi would fatigue crack around the rivets.

But the short version is, I would go with 3/16 and not 1/8

EDIT, yep I'm a dumbass. I meant 3/16- just measured a scrap. Got confused 'cause I put 1/4 lexan in my race car. That shit is seriously robust- it'll stop a .38 and forget about trying to bend it...

 

Polycarbonate (Lexan) is best. I don't think you will be able to get 1/4" in the frame; it's just too thick.
You can find 3/16" which should be the proper thickness to match the tempered glass that used to be in there. I did the rear window on my topper on my 1st gen last year, and although there are a couple of scratches, it works just fine. I used 3/16" lexan (rhino brand), and used my aluminum frame for a pattern, and cut it out with a jigsaw. Smoothed it a little around the edges with a sander & rasp, then used weatherstrip adhesive & the original rubber gasket, & mounted it back into the aluminum frame; works perfect!

 

Where did you end up getting your Lexan? Home Depot wants $200 for the size I need, and I'm looking to spend less than $100. Going to go around and ask glass shops/lexan distributors tomorrow to see if there are any deals I can work out

 

Look for a used window, and have it cut to size if needed.

 

Did find this website in the picture attatched, and for the size I need they're charging $100 for tempered glass in the size I need, free delivery. I'll just have to tint it once I get it cut to size?

 

Years ago I found some on craigslist, pretty cheap if I remember right.

 

It will bend but you need the right tools. We used to make guarding for machinery out of Lexan and put it in the brake press or finger brake depending on size. The only issue is keeping something against the material to avoid scratching it during fabrication. For tighter bends we used a heat gun and carefully raised the temperature while ensuring the surface didn’t get too hot and either distort or go cloudy / burn. Up to 45* bends were no issue and more than that it got dicey depending on thickness and your patience.

 

I am very fortunate in that respect. I got as much as I will ever need at the surplus store at MSU. The local university, Michigan State, has a "Surplus Store", and they sell EVERYTHING there.

Try and find a business that specializes in working with acrylic and lexan and possibly get some off-cuts and/or scrap big enough to make your repair. Also Craigslist is good.

 

I found a website two years ago on here that sold every type of camper seal imaginable. Does anyone know of places that have a good selection of seals?

 

Another place to look for the Lexan is a sign fabrication shop as it can be used quite extensively.

 

I bought from OneDayGlass, I sent them a template and they cut it to size. Tempered, shipped for $105. Best deal I've found

 

I just cut out a new side window for mine today. Small enough that I felt 1/8 inch was fine. Home Depot has 18"x24" Lexan for $23.00. Cut it with a utility knife. Takes quite a few "passes" with the knife to get a good score line, but then I snapped it (lineman's pliers) like cutting glass and it broke clean along all of the cut lines. Haven't installed it yet. Need to apply some tint to make it match.

FYI, I tried heating the blade of the utility knife with a microtorch. Worked okay, but I had to break off the blade section each time it cooled as molten Lexan would stick to the blade. I'd give that method about a "C" on the A-F scale.

 

I needed triple the size and double the thickness for my hi rise

 

I understand. I wouldn't use 1/8" on one that big.

I was basically posting so guys reading who may only need the small side windows would see my reply and know Home Depot was an option.

 

Well, yeah. With the right application of force. I was talking within the realm of camper windows, framed in fibreglas. We used to heat and bend 3/8th lexan skid plates for the gas tanks of our race cars. With a 20 ton hydraulic break.

 

For tinting, I honestly would go the route of just using some tint film, if you have a heat gun it will work just fine and stick well if you apply it correctly.
Here’s a good tint film supplier:

$35 Mkbrother® Car Window Tint Film - 5% VLT 24" in x 20' Ft (24" x 240") Roll, UV & Heat Blocking, Scratch Resistant, Privacy Adhesive Film for Auto & Home Windows

https://www.amazon.com/Uncut-Roll-W...+tint+film&dpPl=1&dpID=51LHD0HNb4L&ref=plSrch as with any window tint thou, if you apply it badly and scratch it, get bubbles in it, or so on, it obviously will not last as long. This will also help so that your window does not get as scratched. BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, DONT GET THE AUTOZONE TINT FILM! IT IS SO FLISMY AND THIN THAT IT WILL TEAR AND WILL BE VERY HARD TO APPLY PERFECTLY!

 

I’m going to bookmark that site. I bought a camper top a while back and the back window is scratched like crazy. But a $100 leer camper I can’t complain to put some money in it

 

I just picked up a free camper with a broken fixed portion of the side-slider window. I pulled out the frame from the canopy and found the 4 tiny screws to separate the aluminum track. The slider glass measures exactly 1/8" **but** I could fit a 3/16" spacer all the way around the fixed groove. I'm not sure if it was intended for 1/8", but I'm gonna try to fit 3/16 in. Found 24x36" sheets in transparent gray for $33 + 22 shipping here. https://www.estreetplastics.com/Gray-Smoked-Plexiglass-Acrylic-2064-3-16-p/x-t80187.htm Thoughts on that?

 

What is the best way to make a template when the full shape is hidden by ~1/4" groove all the way around. 2 corners are square and the other 2 are trapezoidal and curved.