Window part needed

[Bobcat54s]

Hello everyone,
We purchased an older used TM late last spring that we have been repairing and fixing. One of the front shell side windows was broke out, the window that slides back. My dad has cut a replacement, but the long metal piece that slides over the end of the window, that you push on to open and that curls up as a lock, is missing. The previous owner must have threw it away. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement? I appreciate any ideas or help a can get. I have attached a picture of what I’m talking about.

 

[Bill]

I'm not sure what I am seeing in the picture, but you may be in luck since the part you are looking for sounds like it was used on many Hehr windows. Your best bet is probably to check in with Shane826 on this Forum - he has parted out a couple older TMs and may be able to help.

If not, you can get Hehr windows (and presumably parts) directly from Hehr, but the process of buying it is annoying. Not hard, but annoying.

Hehr makes probably 10,000 different window assemblies for the RV industry. Many of them look the same and measure the same, but they are not identical. Even for the part you are seeking, you may need to know the part number of the specific window in question. To find it, go inside the TM, and remove all the screws from the window frame. Now you can pull the inner frame out of the wall. At this point, the only thing holding the outer half of the window in place is the exterior caulking, so be careful not to let it fall out. When you have removed the inner half, you will see a paper tag with a lot of numbers on it. I suggest you take a picture of this tag, and then screw the inner part of the window back in place. The tag contains the part number of this particular window out of the 10,000 styles. It also contains info on TM's use of the window. You can call Hehr directly - the girl on the other end was very helpful when I went through this. You will need all of this info.

TM buys entire windows assemblies from their supplier (no longer Hehr, I think). They do not buy or stock window parts. You could call the TM factory and ask if they have any windows in their trash pile. I doubt that this will succeed since they may not have a trash pile. Your "older TM" was probably built in Tennessee before the ownership change a number of years ago. The factory is now in S. Dakota, of course. Or you can call one of the servicing dealers and ask the same question. Start with Custom RV in California.

If you can't find the part, you may have to jury-rig something that will work. Good luck.

Bill

 

[Bobcat54s]

Picture

The picture is of a TM window I found online. It shows the metal piece at the end of the window I am needing. Not the best picture, I know. I would have taken a picture of one of my windows, but it's in a different town, currently.

 

[Bill]

The picture is of a TM window I found online. It shows the metal piece at the end of the window

OK, knowing that, I took another long look at the picture. Are you referring to the straight white vertical piece, near but not quite touching the curtain in the picture? The photo looks like the window is bent back beyond that piece (closer to the curtain), and I have no idea what that is about. But if you don't need anything in the "bent" area, you may be in luck.

Assuming that is true, the piece is a length of simple aluminum extrusion. If you do a Google search on "aluminum extrusion" you will get a ton of hits. Extrusions come in all kinds of sizes and shapes, so you would need to measure the missing piece carefully (I know, how do you measure a piece that is missing?) and find something that matches.

You will need to make two critical measurements. Most important, how wide does the groove in the extrusion have to be. The edge of the glass has to slide into the groove, so the width of the groove has to accommodate the thickness of the glass, plus a bit to accept a thin wrap of rubber strip around the edge of the glass, to water-proof it. You will also have to provide this rubber strip. Second is the depth of the groove - in other words, how far will the glass slide into the groove.

If you look carefully at the other windows in your camper, you should be able to get a good idea of both measurements.

When you put it all together, you will need to glue the rubber strip onto the glass, and also glue the rubber strip to the inside of the aluminum channel. Slow-setting super-glue might do the job and give you some time to work with it. Or buy some glue labelled "bonds rubber to metal and glass".

Good luck.

Bill

 

[Bill]

For a jury-rigged solution, it might be something like this. This extrusion is called "F-channel" for obvious reasons, and it is one of the simplest shapes. The edge of the glass slides into the groove. The stem of the "F" is the handle that you use to slide the window. Of course it does not have the lock, but that does not have to be a big deal.

If you need something more elaborate, I'm sure you will find it if you keep looking.

Bill

 

[Bobcat54s]

Thanks for those ideas

 

[Shane826]

Are you talking about the finger pull to slide the window open that the little lock strap engages?

I have a bunch of TM windows built by Hehr, used on TMs from roughly 2002 through 2015. I’m pretty sure that handle is glued on, no idea how I’d get one off. But I could sell you a whole square window for $50 plus shipping… Not sure if I have any large rectangles left.