Hightop rear windows-up high?

[DesertTed]

Hi all. I've had a new 3500 a couple of weeks now. To you Hightop owners out there: has anyone put windows in the tops of the rear doors? There is the 14"high by 17 inches wide rectangle that looks like it could be for a small window. Hub and I are doing a conversion and will be having the bed very high to accommodate bicycles. It would be perfect to have opening windows up there. Is there anyone who has them, or knows if there are some available? Thank you.

 

I was just able to post the picture, but I don't know how to turn the photo upright. So, no, the van is not on its side!

Edited August 29, 2016 by DesertTed

[wollip]

While you may not find an automotive window (NV or otherwise) that will work in that area, don't give up until you have run thru a few marine supply catalogs.

[radin2son]

That will look very strange.

 

It looks like you do not have any windows which will create more of a ventilation problem than light problem. Go with a fantastic type fan and it will give you some light if you mount it toward the rear of your van.

 

If you want windows, go with OEM intended for the designed window space. Eventually, you may want to sell your NV...

 

SMB and Outside Van have added a small window over the slider door. OV's version may slide open. It looks ok as both have CRL windows in the slider. I would go with both on a high top.

 

I think the optional OEM windows are a must. You can make or buy blackout curtains if you are concerned about stealth camping. Dispersed camping on public lands is legal so you don't need black out curtains.

[wollip]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder - ask any NV owner.

[DesertTed]

From what I've found, there are no OEM windows made for those top spaces, even though it looks like windows could be installed. I can't even find any non-OEM window that would fit. The smallest I could find are too tall. I could have custom windows made, but just the engineering would cost about $250 and then the windows are additional. I will continue to research.

 

But Wollip, you're right. Ms.Liveaboard boats for years suddenly had a"duh!" moment just after I turned off my tablet last night. Yes, opening portholes with screens would work up there. They would be smaller than the cutouts on the inside, but since the outside is flush, it wouldn't make any difference as we were planning to finish the inside of the doors. And Hub came up with another positive for portholes-since the height is relatively short by necessity, it would be well nigh on to impossible to break in, as the cutout would be too small to do whatever nefarious deeds a "bad guy" may want to attempt. I did check out the Outside Van windows, but they are too wide to put in the rear doors. Their vans are sure nice, though!

 

We were planning to put in a Fantastic fan with the cowl-type covering so the casual observer wouln't see that it was open. But we do a fair amount of semi-warm camping, so every little bit of air flow counts. We've already begun putting in two opening (but sealable with deck plates) floor vents too. Between the floor vents and the hidden,but open fantastic fan, and the wind deflectors on the cracked cab windows, stealth camping should be a piece of cake. After we spend this pretty penny to convert the van, we'll need free or cheap camping as much as possible!

 

We're very slowly moving along and plan to do the back doors last, so we have ample time to investigate all our options. If I had my druthers, I'd prefer to put in an opening automotive windows. Portholes would look strange, but having fresh air and natural light by our heads while sleeping is not a negotiable item.

 

Finding ports is easy, so I'm continuing to search for automotive type windows.

[radin2son]

You misread my response. By "designed window space," I meant the existing rear windows you see on NVs. Unlike other taller vans, Nissan chose to use the same windows on both high and low tops.

 

Check out Mahu's latest post and photo. It will give you some idea of how much light comes through the fantastic fan.

 

I wouldn't mess with the floor in anyway. Properly sealed holes for wiring or plumbing is one thing but not an opening vent. It won't take long for road muck to cause problems.

 

You are coming up way short of ventilation. The van space heats up fast and cools slowly even in 70-80* temps. Higher temps and you will cook. You will need more than cracked front windows.

 

Why the fear about breakins, not just expressed by you. If I want in your van, it will be via the passenger door window. A bear will just rip off a door. Stealth camping can be a set up for trouble, same for dispersed camping but for different reasons: getting stuck, running battery down, injury and generally being in cellular dead zones.

[wollip]

Less expensive than windows, built in screens, available in dark smoke tint, and available without fan motors (passive). No reason they can't be mounted vertically. One might look odd - two would look like you meant it.

[DesertTed]

Points well taken. I have to sort out all our options and then confer with the Hub. The lower OEM windows would be ideal, but between the bed base and mattress, likely we'll be too far above what we want. Hub also wants to be able to look outside. The hatch is a good possibility. It would kinda sorta look like a window from outside the van. I'll let that Tasmanian devil in my head deal with all the data for a while...

[wollip]

teardroptrailerparts.com. - look under Windows and Doors

[DesertTed]

My name may be Ted, but in bear country (Glacier, etc.), even though we had been camping in our old Nissan Quest, we left the van with its smell of food and stayed in a tent! Humans are much more dangerous than any wild animal. Maybe living in the barrio and Hub growing up in Washington Heights(two brothers and father mugged) made us a just a little security conscious. Locked gates, rejas (security bars) on the windows and doors and other measures are second nature. Though, between the two of us, in the total time that we've camping, probably two years or more total, we've never once had a human problem.

 

That aside, the smallest opening window I've found is too large, unless it will be cut outside the the existing small area that I wanted to use. Maybe we should think about coloring outside the lines. I really appreciate the input from both of you, although it has added more complexity to our window/ventilation conundrum.

[radin2son]

As tent campers you were more exposed than you'll ever be in your NV. Take that skill and trust and you will be fine.

 

Good luck on your build...

[KMG]

Originally, I was going to purchase a low roof model and install a roof top tent for camping.  The sense of security I felt inside the high roof model convinced me to purchase a high roof and sacrifice visiting areas with height clearance issues.

[Daydreamin520]

Did you ever get the smaller opening windows in the upper area of the rear doors?  If yes, can we see pix?  Thanks.

[DesertTed]

Yeah, we did. We ended up using two marine rectangular ports. I've photos posted on the entire process, start to finish on my thread. Also, I posted info on putting in the overhead fan/vent. It's all been done very simply with a drill, angle grinder and jig saw, so it isn't beautiful, but quite functional.

 

You may see us right around Tucson, two solar panels on the roof and now, our "deployable solar wing", a fun project. We now have 445 watts, especially for our fridge. Just doing the finishing touches now, will be in the road by summer.

 

You have great travels this summer,too!

Ted