Upgrade to dual pane windows?

An increase from an R value of 0.7 to 1.4 is insignificant particularly is something as leaky as an RV. It will not have any noticeable effect on the OPs propane usage which is their stated goal.



After our Micro Minnie was totaled we looked at many trailers before we settled on Grand Design. A number of these had what were advertised as "insulated" or "dual pane" windows and in every case they were nothing more than bonded glass sheets. I was aware that some high end Class A motorhomes had true dual pane windows with a gap but that they were not used in trailers as the harsher ride tended to break the seals and fog the windows. If GD is using them in their better trailers I'll give them credit. I still stand by belief they won't make any real difference in heating costs. However being a light sleeper anything that helps with noise abatement is welcome by me.

I have never had a problem with condensation on our single pane RV windows. We might get an occasional light fogging but not heavy sweating. The way I control it is when we are out in cold weather I seal the windows and weep holes to prevent the cold air from coming in. My technique is less sophisticated than the window sealing kit linked above and I might try those as it looks to be less work than taping around the movable window panes. Where I haven't been able to control condensation well is on the ceiling vents even when we use vent pillows.

The main problem area for us has been front bed trailers with the gap between the mattress and front cap. This gap ends up with condensation when we winter camp and ruined the mattress in our first trailer. As a result we pull the mattress away from the wall when we wake in the morning to give it a quick dry and let air get in. The 22MLE is the first trailer we have had with ducted heat. I made a mod to run a small duct from the heat vent under the bed to the pass-through with the hope that is will keep it warmer and reduce the chance for condensation between the mattress and front wall. The trailer is in for warranty work so I won't know how effective it will be until we get the trailer back in a week or so.

Our walls are said to be R7. An increase of R1in the wall would not be noticable. Double that to R14. would be. An increase of R1 in the windows is at least a 100% increase. My Momentum has a LOT of windows, as did my previous coach without DPs..The windows in the momentum ARE noticably warmer inside when it is cold out.
We are not fair weather campers. As my online name suggests, we hunt. This activity has specific season dates. It doesn't matter what the weather does, those dates cannot change. I love nasty weather, as I see the tailights of most everyone heading home..That is when the hunting is the best. I just returned from a December Elk hunt. It snowed 3 times. It was an awesome hunt
 
Do you have any problems getting the double back tape residue off of the window frame when you remove the film? I've had cases with double back tape where it is very difficult to get it off of the base it is applied to.

No problems removing the tape, it pulls right off leaving no residue. We use a 3M product made for windows. I think Frost King is another brand of shrink film for windows.
 
I would guess that the OP is using 5 gallons in 3 days as opposed to 5 lbs. Back to the windows, I installed 3m ceramic window film on our Solitude 310. The window film cut down on condensation, but didn't do much for heat or cold. Big Truck Big RV on you tube did a pretty cool test of dual pane rv windows and the difference of radiant heat transfer reduction was impressive. R values on RV's are kind of like snake oil. When you take an aluminum framed RV wall and fill in the openings with a foam rated at R-7 or R-11, the only thing insulated at all is the opening, with the aluminum sucking in heat or cold, so smoke and mirrors. 3m does make a window film that is marketed as an insulating film. I wish I would have insisted on that product, but I listened to the installer that told me the ceramic tint would block the heat and cold, they were wrong. I use reflective bubble wrap on our windows when camping in the cold and it blocks the heat transfer very well, but if it isn't sealed to the window, you can feel a draft at the bottom edge of the bubble wrap that feels like the window is open. If I ever purchase another 5th wheel, it will have dual pane windows and probably less windows than the 310GK, the windows are nice to look out of, but are huge hot / cold highways. As for propane use when it cold out, and by cold I mean lows of around 0F with highs around 30, typical rocky mountain average temps, I probably burn 10-12 lbs of propane a day. When the temp gets down around 0 or below, the furnace runs continuosly and the electric fireplace runs non stop too and doesn't really do much.We survived -44F Christmas of 2022 in Belgrade, Montana, but it wasn't fun.
 
Maybe this won't answer your question, but we're in Central Texas now and it has been extremely cold here, especially at night. My husband and I used the window insulating kit from WalMart to install a sheet of plastic on the inside. That almost has the effect of double paned windows. We've had very little, none on some windows, condensation on the windows, even the ones that had frost on them when we didn't have those insulating kits. They also make a big difference in keeping the warmth in and still allow sunshine in during the day and enables us to look out and see the sun.
 
Maybe this won't answer your question, but we're in Central Texas now and it has been extremely cold here, especially at night. My husband and I used the window insulating kit from WalMart to install a sheet of plastic on the inside. That almost has the effect of double paned windows. We've had very little, none on some windows, condensation on the windows, even the ones that had frost on them when we didn't have those insulating kits. They also make a big difference in keeping the warmth in and still allow sunshine in during the day and enables us to look out and see the sun.

How hard was the window plastic to install? It probably has to be done when the window frames are relatively warm so the tape will stick to the frame. Any experience with removing the plastic film and tape?
 
most of the tape was on the wall around the frame -- it has wallpaper -- as the frames don't really have enough surface area for the tape. It may not be pretty to look at but it worked and when the weather warms up we can remove it in order to be able to open the windows as we like to do. We had done this every winter in our home in Wyoming and it really made a difference. The tape comes off easily but if there are some spots where it doesn't, we use GooGone or alcohol.

I see that you too worked for the State of Wyoming, as did I. I worked for the Attorney General's office and prior to that the Dept. of Health.
 
most of the tape was on the wall around the frame -- it has wallpaper -- as the frames don't really have enough surface area for the tape. It may not be pretty to look at but it worked and when the weather warms up we can remove it in order to be able to open the windows as we like to do. We had done this every winter in our home in Wyoming and it really made a difference. The tape comes off easily but if there are some spots where it doesn't, we use GooGone or alcohol.

I see that you too worked for the State of Wyoming, as did I. I worked for the Attorney General's office and prior to that the Dept. of Health.

I spent 21 years at the Wyoming Boys' School in Worland, most of it as the Maintenance Supervisor where I oversaw buildings, vehicles and grounds.
 
Yes there is an air gap between the two panes of glass. They cut down on the noise, I read somewhere they equal R1. The bad news is weight, twice as heavy. Several of ours are separating and fogging up. Not sure how I'm going to fix that but working on a fix.
 
Yes there is an air gap between the two panes of glass. They cut down on the noise, I read somewhere they equal R1. The bad news is weight, twice as heavy. Several of ours are separating and fogging up. Not sure how I'm going to fix that but working on a fix.

If they’re anything like the ones on my house, you can’t fix them just replace.
 

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