Box truck conversion Windows: House vynal frame vrs recycled rv/camper

[Rajendora1]

Yet another question that has come up as I watch all these vids.  One guy has what amounts to a glass wall in the back of his box truck.  I found out by accident that there is an RV junk yard around here in SoCal (looney toon land) that breaks down rvs and sells the parts.  I'm thinking an RV or camper window would be more suited to the road than a vynal frame house type window.  We definitly want something that can be opened, and have a screen.  

Thoughts?

 

[rvwandering]

Yes, an RV window is definitely better than a house type window and RV junkyards are great places to get parts. Have fun with your build!

 

[highdesertranger]

for several reasons never use residential widows and doors in any vehicle build. I ALWAYS say no don't use residential windows and doors. some people want to argue with me well so be it. here are a couple reasons,

1. they are not built to any standard that applies to a vehicle. DOT would never approve them.

2. the glass is not the right type for mobile use. again not DOT approved. if you don't care for your safety what about other motorist who might happen to be close by and your widow breaks into razor sharp shards flying trough the air.

3. if you notice all modern vehicle glass, does not have 90° corners. this is also true of boats, ships, and airplanes. why? because the 90° corner will stress fracture the frame and skin at the corner. a radius will not, plain and simple.

same is true for doors.

even in houses and buildings that don't drive down the road stress fracture at the 90.

that's my 2 cents. highdesertranger

 

[LargeMarge]

[edited for brevity]

...an RV or camper window would be more suited to the road than a vynal frame house type window...definitly want something that can be opened, and have a screen...
[snip

2003, we converted a 1997 Ford CF8000 commercial truck to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle.
After placing cardboard boxes around the interior to mock-up our furniture to determine usability, accessibility, and traffic, we cut-n-mounted stand-still house dual-pane 3x1 sliders at our eye-level while standing inside.
To deter peepers, our windows are about eight feet above the pavement.

After nearly two decades full-time live-aboard, our decision is sound.