Autosleeper Conversion - Bridging the window gap

[bmouthboyo]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding bridging the gap between the outer window / skin and the inner metal:

This was its original vinyl type material:


Gap I have now:


I would like to use the mega stretch carpet we have for the walls but not sure if this would work?

Cheers

[tyneside-t25]

Hi, I recently re-trimmed my interior & had a gap like you do.. I used the foam pipe lagging( for 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe) cut or trimmed it then glued into place..stretch carped covers it great & makes a nice neat finish,

[bmouthboyo]

Hi, I recently re-trimmed my interior & had a gap like you do.. I used the foam pipe lagging( for 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe) cut or trimmed it then glued into place..stretch carped covers it great & makes a nice neat finish,

That sounds perfect, don't suppose you have any pics of the finish around the windows? Did you use one big pice of 4 separate pieces similar to my first pic?

[Plasticman]

as the lips have been cut off isnt there an as fibreglass moulding that fits over it ?
mm

[tyneside-t25]

sorry don't have any pics of it finished but it does make a nice neat job when the carpet is glued over the top.. the foam comes in 1m lengths so you'll need to use 3-4 pieces to go around each window.

[bmouthboyo]

as the lips have been cut off isnt there an as fibreglass moulding that fits over it ?
mm

Mine did not have any moulding so I would have to fabricate one. Not sure how hard / messy that would be. Originally mine just had a stiffer kind of vinyl.

We do not have kids so hopefully nobody will be poking the gap so stretch carpet might work for us, I was just unsure if it is stiff enough to poke under the window rubber seal slightly.

[dbz864]

was the vinyl just pulled across the gap originally?

[dbz864]

autosleepers normally have a fibreglass "shroud"

[bmouthboyo]

autosleepers normally have a fibreglass "shroud"

Interesting I never had a shroud on mine, the vinyl was just bridged over the gap, it was stiff from age and kinda tucked under the rubber surround. Don't suppose those shrouds can be bought?

Anyone have a picture of one? See if I can knock one up.

[dbz864]

not sure how old your van is? Later ones defo have fibreglass "shrouds "on, i would think early ones would but not 100% sure. You could try ringing autosleeper, but i would be amazed if they still have them, they do have some old stock. Other than that get some second hand ones,

[dbz864]

i would say the gap is to big to use the usual rubber edging and if you try and do it in vinyl or carpet you will struggle as its a double curvature. Not used the modern very strechey lining carpet myself as i dont like it but that may work.

[bmouthboyo]

Yea it is an early 83 so bit more of a bodge job by Autosleeper I think (if the screwed in poptop is anything to go by).

[freckvan1]

I'm in same position with my van, 1984 1.9 .
Van is an Autostrada conversion with full length side opening roof.
The gaps in the window surround had the material stretched over the gap, glued onto window cutout then seal and glass put in. Cut out on the inside is shocking, whoever at Autostrada did it must have been plastered at the time.
I will try the idea of the 15,- mm pipe lagging to bridge the gap, as now with two young grand daughters who I hope will be with me in the van, poking about with god knows what will rip any material.
Anyway I'm sure someone will come up with an idea for an affordable fibreglass surround, MM ?/dbz ?, got to be loads of vans in similar way.
Will let you know how I get on.
Chris

[Dazco]

My '84 , same conversion had the vynal pulled across and glued under the rubber seal, no mouldings . I did same with stretch carpet but like the pipe lagging idea

[bmouthboyo]

Managed to source some autosleeper fiber glass surrounds but not with my can for another 2 months. Does anyone have any pictures of how they mate up to the windows?