A Cure for the RV Window Blues
I love the windows in my 2003 Chevy Roadtrek, but they sure don't love me. The windows in the front, side, and rear doors are what came from Chevrolet, but the side rear windows are bought by Roadtrek and other RV upfitters and installed as part of the conversion process. It's a wonderful design – a louver on the bottom which allows you to get air circulation in a downpour. But, like any mechanical device, sooner or later it will start to wear and cause you headaches.
The Chevy windows are made by C R Laurence. The part that wears out is called the torque operator – a little gearbox that converts the rotary motion of the knob on the inside to angular movement of an arm that moves the louver. The one on the Chevy does this by turning a rod with an attached arm – the one on the Sprinter models, made by another manufacturer – Hehr – includes the arms as part of the torque operator.
C R Laurence can't be bothered to supply repair parts for us struggling Chevy Roadtrek owners. That's OK, they're a big company. I don't really know who makes the reproduction ones available online, but the quantity varies widely, and some may be rebuilt, judging by some of the horror stories I have heard. When I went looking, I settled on an online retailer, GlassWarePro, who sells Primeline replacement parts. The Primeline numbers are R7022 and R7023 – I think those are the CR Laurence numbers as well. They're nuisance money – $8 or so – so I ordered two of each, and started trying to figure out how to disassemble my windows to install them while I waited for them to arrive.
Here's a set of photos to walk you through the process. Click on each photo to read the caption which will tell you what's going on. In 190 and 170 (sheet metal side) Roadtreks, the process is relatively simple. The 200s and 210 fiberglass side Roadtreks will have a different procedure. There are a bunch of screws holding the window in, and the most important job is the catcher – the person outside the van who grabs the window as it comes loose and prevents it from crashing to the ground. Put your franchise player on this assignment- all the person inside the van has to know is how to run a screwdriver. Make sure you tighten the screws evenly as you reinstall the windows – as an artistic medium, tempered glass is as unforgiving as marble.
My RV window cranks are doing fine two years later, and it has given me confidence to know that there's not really much of anything you can't fix on a Roadtrek given enough parts sleuthing and common sense. And patience – lots of patience. And good hands.
For the Sprinter owners, your Hehr windows have a similar solution – read this post on the Sprinter forum which gives you the tricks on how to install it. The part is $24, of course, not $8, since it's going on a Mercedes 😉 Here is where to buy it. You don't have to take the window out, though, which is definitely worth the difference in cost. No mad window catching skills are necessary. If I had a Sprinter, I'd order one of these now and carry it with me, because when these break the glass is completely unattached at the bottom, and flaps in the wind as you drive. Given the glass replacement problems on the CR Laurence windows (it's basically impossible), my guess is the Hehr glass is similarly unobtainable, so you don't want to subject your glass to this kind of treatment for long.
I had all my window gears changed at a roadtrek dealer, and still you can turn them ten times without movement. I am very disappointed about paying 53 dollars each plus labor and didn’t work. I called roadtrek about a part and the retail sales person said I couldn’t buy anything from them, only a dealer. He was very unhelpful and was mean to me on phone. I would never buy another roadtrek nor recommend too others.
Hi, I just got a 2003 RT 190 V. It’s in very good condition, but the driver side louvre window fell out when we tried to open. Caught it, so no damage. The glue seal that joins the aluminum channel to the glass had given out. No big deal, glued it back on. BUT can’t get the window to seat back into the roller guides. Should be a simple thing, but it’s such a custom thingy, even the dealer said they didn’t know how to fix it (!)
Hi everybody,
bought a 1995 190 popular. The lower ventcover is broken,try to find a new one.
any ideas where to get those?
Axel
One of my windows doesn’t completely close and seal on one side, does anyone know if this is just an adjustment, or is a new torque operator needed?. If it’s just an adjustment, can it be done without removing the window?
Thanks for any advice,
Dave
PS- 2007 C190P
Thank you so much for this. Mine just broke and I was regretting the thought of going to a dealer. Please keep up your posts on Facebook!
David Rusland
ron try cascade for a dishwasher
I want to know how to get the molding around storage doors,and windows white again? have tried everything..
OMG! My window just fell off a few days ago… Luckily, I caught it. I’ll have the service department fix it. I’m so glad it didn’t shatter. (2002 Roadtrek Popular 190)
We had problems with one of our side rear windows that was similar on our 190 Popular. Unfortunately, before we got to the stage of repairing the cranks, the rear window fell out and was lost (not sure when or what happened–some friends were using the van). The Roadtrek dealer says we have to replace the whole side rear window–at $2200 plus labor! Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas for alternatives to such an expensive repair? Thanks for any ideas!
Thanks! I’ve been searching for long time for a solution to my CR Laurence window regulator problem. I placed my order today. Keep up the great work!
That will come in handy. Right now I pry the window open and hold it open with a rock. Ha.
Thanks, CS!
I found them at Mike Thompsons RV
Thanks Campskunk. I just ordered a spare. Keep up the great posts!
I like!!!!!
Thanks for this post….now I just need to order parts and find a “window catcher” !!
Thank you!!!
Thank you for the numbers for those parts I ordered one of each!
I have a 2002 Dodge Roadtrek with two latches on the large back window that allow it to open slightly. One of them will not open at all and I am looking for a replacement for that so I can use the window. do you have any suggestions where I might find this part? I did not find it a glass Pro.
Thank you!!!
penny, that’s a dodge part, not an aftermarket part. it’s on the van as it comes to Roadtrek for upfitting. best place to look is a junkyard, or you may be able to order it from Dodge. look at this website – i think it’s $82 if they have them in stock. http://www.factorychryslerparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=611971&ukey_product=4437669
More a question than a comment. Have you run into a problem with the lower part of a rear side window separating from the hinge? Any suggestions?
no, mine are still firmly bonded, but i have heard of this problem with laurence windows. there’s a special class of adhesives for rear view mirrors to stick to the inside of the windshield- that’s probably the best place to look. be sure you prepare the surface well, according to the directions. http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/mech_spec_mirror/overview/Loctite-Rear-View-Mirror-Repair-Adhesive.htm
Holiday rambler the windows fog up between the two panes. Help
dawn: now those i know nothing about – i’m from florida, and nobody has double glazed windows down south. i think the general idea is that you need to take it apart, get the moisture out, and reseal the two panes so no more water gets in, but i don’t have any experience with how exactly to do it.