Is this a retrofit Skylight? December 07, 2019, 09:33:56 am Looks like my skylight was replaced once already with a different one. Should I do the same or can I make it better or more like original?
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #1 – December 07, 2019, 11:44:12 am I believe that is the old style of skylight, the Mothership has an improved version. Larry 2 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #2 – December 07, 2019, 12:14:05 pm Hi Steve and Jill; Your skylight may have been replaced once before, but with the same type it originally came with. I replaced one on a friend's 2001 MB with the new style available from the mothership. It fit perfectly and looked to be much better. It had a better metal framework, and I think thicker plastic dome. I'm including the only photo I took, wish that I had taken more. Duro has replaced his recently and had better pictures. New skylight installed The next post after Duro (Thanks Lynn) is by Huskerblue, (thankks Dave) and his link to Roger's Ramblings (thanks to Roger Nickey's blog) had a whole sequence, LD instructions and more pictures. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #3 – December 07, 2019, 04:28:43 pm Thank you. I will have to call them on Monday. The metal trim should be stronger.
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #4 – December 08, 2019, 12:15:02 am "It had a better metal framework, and I think thicker plastic dome."Yes, when I was there in 2014 Steve told me he had found a supplier with a heavier and more UV-resistant plastic for the skylight dome. I had one installed on my 2003 midbath, and it was indeed much sturdier than the 2003 original.
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #5 – December 09, 2019, 02:58:14 pm I was taken by surprise. $225 for the skylight a bit high but $62 to ship it to Florida for a total of $287. Does that seem right? Maybe I can repair it?
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #6 – December 09, 2019, 03:02:49 pm "Does that seem right?"I'm not privy to the LD pricing policy but in so far as the quality of the Skylight dome, it's a quantum leap over the old one. You will be glad to have spent the money!
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #7 – December 09, 2019, 04:20:13 pm Lazy Daze does have high shipping charges, and they accept checks or cash only. They ship when they receive payment; it's the way it is if one orders parts from the factory, and freight charges from California to Florida are not going to be cheap. Sometimes the best quality product and/or most convenient replacement process is not the least expensive. 2 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #8 – December 10, 2019, 07:21:12 am Anyone try to negotiate the shipping and handling? At $62.00 I feel I am being taken advantage of. It is one thing to pay the $225 for a specialty item from the factory, but the shipping is like double dipping on the profits. It reminds me of paying a lot to go to Disney and then paying 3x the price for bottled water. 1 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #9 – December 10, 2019, 08:02:19 am I'll bet that when they ship something like that, it'll be crated. A card board box just wouldn't cut it. Pretty delicate. Then there is labor to figure in as well. I think I would opt for getting there in one piece and pay the price.Jon
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #10 – December 10, 2019, 08:13:58 am Would you rather pay $300 with free shipping? 1 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #11 – December 10, 2019, 08:59:27 am Quote from: joel wiley - December 10, 2019, 08:13:58 amWould you rather pay $300 with free shipping?I would question $300 also.
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #12 – December 10, 2019, 09:45:16 am It seems to me that the OP has a few clear 'paths of choice' to acquiring a new skylight, i.e., try to find a replacement (availability, type, fit, quality, price unknown) from a local sticks and bricks source, search for a similar product from online suppliers (same constraints as sticks and bricks source plus unknown shipping charges), get the product name and number of the skylight from the factory and search online for that specific skylight (again, price, availability, and shipping charges unknown), or cut to the chase and order the skylight from the factory. (Or, patch the current skylight and hope the weight of the tape doesn't crumble it into dust? ) I have not ordered any large items from LD; I can't say if they might be amenable to 'negotiating' shipping costs, but I doubt it. Another 'YMMV' situation! 2 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #13 – December 10, 2019, 11:39:35 am Quote from: StevenJill - December 10, 2019, 07:21:12 amAnyone try to negotiate the shipping and handling? At $62.00 I feel I am being taken advantage of. It is one thing to pay the $225 for a specialty item from the factory, but the shipping is like double dipping on the profits. It reminds me of paying a lot to go to Disney and then paying 3x the price for bottled water.After seeing how rapidly the old style skylights disintegrate compared to the new style, I would say it's worth it but if it is too expensive, find the old stye and be prepared to replace it every few years, much sooner than the improved model.It all depends on how valuable your time is.No one said RVing was going to be cheap...it isn't.Larry
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #14 – December 10, 2019, 12:29:07 pm When you buy an older rig, you have to build a large cost buffer into your purchase budget. Repair and restoration can cost as much as the purchase price. It appears there is considerable mold around the skylight, so you may wish to first remove it and see if you have any wood rot. If you do, check elsewhere where there could have been water intrusion, and decide if the rig is worth the kind of further investment you may need. Also, in this day of ubiquitous free shipping, you may be insulated from the real costs of small-order shipping. The factory is NOT trying to rip you off, just passing on their costs...Steve 1 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #15 – December 10, 2019, 01:10:37 pm Quote from: Steve - December 10, 2019, 12:29:07 pmWhen you buy an older rig, you have to build a large cost buffer into your purchase budget. Repair and restoration can cost as much as the purchase price. It appears there is considerable mold around the skylight, so you may wish to first remove it and see if you have any wood rot. If you do, check elsewhere where there could have been water intrusion, and decide if the rig is worth the kind of further investment you may need. Also, in this day of ubiquitous free shipping, you may be insulated from the real costs of small-order shipping. The factory is NOT trying to rip you off, just passing on their costs...SteveThe rig is more than worth it. Cost so far is minimal. 6 v batteries(t105s for 108ea), tires and skylight. Carport getting ordered. Got the LD for almost half cost. I have plenty of money left, time not as much. I just like to be wise with my money and $62.00 to ship surprised me. I will probably go for it. Maybe they do take extra precautions to avoid damage. I wanted to check with the group. Good to see all standing up for the LD factory.
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #16 – December 10, 2019, 03:07:56 pm Quote from: StevenJill - December 10, 2019, 07:21:12 amAnyone try to negotiate the shipping and handling? At $62.00 I feel I am being taken advantage of.Shipping cost have dramatically increased over the last several years and many retailers have bundled some of that increase into the product price to appease the buyer. I just did a shipping cost estimate on the USPS website using a rough estimate of package size and weight. Here is what I found...Size = 28” X 28” X 10” (L X D X H)Weight = 10 lbsFrom zip 91763 to zip 33565USPS Retail Ground = $62.25My estimates may be a little off and the Mothership probably gets a business discount, but this cost estimate is uncannily close to the Mothership’s. Also, it’s been my experience that FedEx and UPS, on whole, are all competitive in price.I don’t think anyone is being taking advantage of here. I think the Mothership is just quoting actual product and actual shipping cost. But that’s just my 2-cents.- John 4 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #17 – December 10, 2019, 03:43:29 pm Quote from: JohnR - December 10, 2019, 03:07:56 pmShipping cost have dramatically increased over the last several years and many retailers have bundled some of that increase into the product price to appease the buyer. I just did a shipping cost estimate on the USPS website using a rough estimate of package size and weight. Here is what I found...Size = 28” X 28” X 10” (L X D X H)Weight = 10 lbsUSPS Retail Ground = $62.25My estimates may be a little off and the Mothership probably gets a business discount, but this cost estimate is uncannily close to the Mothership’s. Also, it’s been my experience that FedEx and UPS, on whole, are all competitive in price.I don’t think anyone is being taking advantage of here. I think the Mothership is just quoting actual product and actual shipping cost. But that’s just my 2-cents.- JohnOkay. You all convinced me I will send them the check. 3 Likes
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #18 – December 10, 2019, 07:26:41 pm LD should delete the skylite. Mine has been plugged with a two inch foam for 15 years. If there is a market desire for light in the shower there has to be a better alternative that does not allow as much heat and cold to penetrate the shower as the skylite does.
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #19 – December 10, 2019, 08:15:06 pm I had a foam upholstered cushion made up that fits tightly into the opening. Without it, the shower became very hot in the AZ sun. I also noticed in the winter (yes it does get cold here, it was 35f this morning), that the shower becomes very cold. I assume that the skylight was probably to accomodate tall people in the shower.
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #20 – December 10, 2019, 08:29:18 pm I took a spare piece of Reflectix insulation and put it in the skylight with four corner brackets I made from a coathanger.IR thermometer found it at 115 on an 80-85 degree day. Now much more reasonable.
Re: Is this a retrofit Skylight? Reply #21 – December 13, 2019, 11:51:42 am Quote from: M3ATX - December 10, 2019, 07:26:41 pmLD should delete the skylite. Mine has been plugged with a two inch foam for 15 years. If there is a market desire for light in the shower there has to be a better alternative that does not allow as much heat and cold to penetrate the shower as the skylite does.I replaced my skylite with the improved version offered by LD. Seems pretty solid. I also thought it a little high but had to replace the original that was severely cracked. Found that in use the skylite allows too much heat loss so I fitted a piece of insulation foam with a reflective surface to cover the hole. Bob
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