Windows: to slide or not to slide?

[Emerald84]

Dear all,

My 84 LHD Westy has old plastic double glazing in three of its windows, and one way or another they're taking on a bit of water when it rains. I intend to replace the rear two with glass, and I wanted to replace the 'kitchen' window with a slider, to add ventilation when I'm cooking up a storm (beans). BUT, when I drove round to my local VW experts, I was told that all sliding windows risk leakage, and are better off avoided.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the merits of sliding windows? And, incidentally, has anyone else had trouble with leaky plastic glazing?

Grateful for all wisdom.

[Stesaw]

I have a sliding window on the side of mine. Water was getting in and I wasn't sure why water was getting in. 
It wasn't until I cleaned out the channel and saw the drain holes had been blocked from years of grime. Once cleaned no more water getting into the van, it's worth mentioning that water does still get behind the sliding window section but as the drain holes are clear it goes back outside. Sadly though it's been doing that for a few years it seems with the previous owner so it rusted out the floor underneath and took the sil with it as well..  big job...


 

[Emerald84]

Sorry to hear that pal. That's just the sort of thing I wouldn't notice, so I'm thinking I might choose a standard window just to give myself the best chance of rust-avoidance. Having said that, I suppose cookery-steam brings its own dangers...

[Stesaw]

If you have a roof vent then you should be fine, if not keep the slidingdoor or cab door / windows open if weather permits of course.
You could buy the vents that you can put into the window channels of your cab doors for some ventilation. I think about £30 from places like just kampers.
Well I only noticed when I came around to redoing the interior of the van. I had a suspicion due to the sil having a hole in it but hey ho it is what it is.

Maybe get a dehumidifier and run it occasionally, that's just a thought. Just ideas for what I'd do, I am sure others will have ideas (probably better ones at that) as well.

[Swebby]

I have a sliding window on the side of mine. Water was getting in and I wasn't sure why water was getting in. 
It wasn't until I cleaned out the channel and saw the drain holes had been blocked from years of grime. Once cleaned no more water getting into the van, it's worth mentioning that water does still get behind the sliding window section but as the drain holes are clear it goes back outside. Sadly though it's been doing that for a few years it seems with the previous owner so it rusted out the floor underneath and took the sil with it as well..  big job...


 

Mine didn't seem to have any drain holes so I drilled some in, much better now.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk

[maxstu]

Sliding windows lets in rain if open at night for ventilation while sleeping, so l found out on Mow Cop during last week. Louvre window for middle is better. Or get some wind deflectors for cab windows. Then you can wind down a bit and leave a gap of 50mm plus for ventilation on both windows.
Anyone fitted electric fans to the roof vent?

[Titus A Duxass]

Anyone fitted electric fans to the roof vent?

I saw something somewhere, someone had fitted 3 computer fans on a frame that day in the roof vent opening. I think it would work.

[maxstu]

Anyone fitted electric fans to the roof vent?

I saw something somewhere, someone had fitted 3 computer fans on a frame that day in the roof vent opening. I think it would work.

Yes. I viewed same recently , Titus. The fine weather this year warrants such a modification. Future use? Who knows ...

[Titus A Duxass]

Yes. I viewed same recently , Titus. The fine weather this year warrants such a modification. Future use? Who knows ...

I smell a project for my new 3d printer.