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Topic: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!) (Read 131 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Hello Everyone!
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Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Quote from: Dtbback  - 
Also gonna pony up the dough and get a new shower skylight from Todd.
Hey DTBBACK,
I just did the skylight from Todd.  Was a little shocked at the price at first but after installation, It was well worth it and should not have to worry about it again.  I need to post about it but forgot to take the "after" photo and the rig is not at my house.

Ramon
2000 Mid-Bath
2012 Lance 830 Truck Camper/2006 Cummins Dodge Ram Megacab
1985 Multi Plan - Donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #1 –
Quote from: mrfixit454  - 
Hey DTBBACK,
I just did the skylight from Todd.  Was a little shocked at the price at first but after installation, It was well worth it and should not have to worry about it again.  I need to post about it but forgot to take the "after" photo and the rig is not at my house.

Ramon

How difficult was the install? The price had me shocked too. I'm gonna oull the trigger but have been hesitating.
1999 MB, 7.3L PowerStroke
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Dtbback  - 
How difficult was the install? The price had me shocked too. I'm gonna oull the trigger but have been hesitating.

Personally the direction made it harder than it was but that's just me.  They are very good directions and very complete.  Of the 8 or so holes, 6 lined up so I only had to drill 2 new ones.  I did all the measuring as suggested but when I finished that, it was lined up perfect and most holes matched. 

Ramon
2000 Mid-Bath
2012 Lance 830 Truck Camper/2006 Cummins Dodge Ram Megacab
1985 Multi Plan - Donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #3 –
Quote from: mrfixit454  - 
Hey DTBBACK,
I just did the skylight from Todd.  Was a little shocked at the price at first but after installation, It was well worth it and should not have to worry about it again.  I need to post about it but forgot to take the "after" photo and the rig is not at my house.

Ramon

I also had the skylight from Todd installed on my MB, by a handyman at an Arizona Escapee camp. It was done in a very short time, and works perfectly.  Great improvement over the old one.  Should last for many more years than I could need it. 

Plus he saved it for me for nearly two years after I paid for it, even after the company closed.  Great guy, even sending it to Arizona after he had already moved to North Carolina.
Kristin
1997 MB
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #4 –
The new style skylights are a better product than the originals installed in the older MB and should last a long time.
The price several years ago made me gulp and I wasn’t paying for it.
Many rigs I have looked at have insulation, such as Reflectix, stuffed into the skylight to block out the heat or cold and negate the skylight's purpose.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #5 –
The price is pretty crazy but I think I'll end up getting it.
1999 MB, 7.3L PowerStroke
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #6 –
Hi Will;  In a Midbath in bright sun, the shower and bathroom area can heat up pretty well. Parking under trees or other shade can help.  I don't know the exact dimensions of your 'moonroof' opening, but a piece of white foam might let in some light, but stay up in the opening. 
   I use a snap-on vinyl cover for my escape hatch. If you don't mind putting matching snaps around inside your new 'dome' you could do the same.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #7 –
I was planning on making a slip in cover out of 1" foam and refectix for both the shower and the escape hatch. I'd love to get a shade RV cover for the roof but they look very cumbersome. It would be really cool if a motorized bimini for the roof could be made.  But then it would block my solar panel. Not sure if that would matter while camping.
1999 MB, 7.3L PowerStroke
 
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #8 –
I put a double layer of reflectix up in mine. Slightly oversize to arch up to the canopy.   I took some coat hanger wire and bent some clips to hold it in the corner. Before installation shower was 115 on an 85 deg day.  It's only slightly warmer than the rig now.
YMMV
joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #9 –
Quote from: joel wiley  - 
I put a double layer of reflectix up in mine. Slightly oversize to arch up to the canopy.   I took some coat hanger wire and bent some clips to hold it in the corner. Before installation shower was 115 on an 85 deg day.  It's only slightly warmer than the rig now.

If owning an old MB with a bad skylight, I would seriously consider covering the skylight’s opening with sheet aluminum, insulating and then finishing the ceiling in the shower, getting rid of it completely.
If the skylight was an opening vent, it would be more useful.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #10 –
Larry,

I agree it would be much better if the skylight had a vent function to it. But, for the ease of repair I'll probably just swap out and get the new skylight
1999 MB, 7.3L PowerStroke
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #11 –
"But, for the ease of repair I'll probably just swap out and get the new skylight"

When my skylight took flight on the Interstate I replaced it with the then 'new style' way back when. Have been more than satisfied with it since. Can't imagine what it would be like without the daylight it provides. The small window allows plenty of ventilation.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #12 –
Quote
I would seriously consider covering the skylight’s opening with sheet aluminum, insulating and then finishing the ceiling in the shower

I think that's a great idea. Another less expensive option to a new skylight is to replace it with 1/4" Lexan which I did on a past rig.
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #13 –
"I would seriously consider covering the skylight’s opening with sheet aluminum"

I spent a few winters with my midbath's shower skylight covered (inside) with an insulated cover that I'd made. I remember how happy I was to take it down every spring, and get back my gloriously bright bathroom! I would never cover that opening permanently. But that's just me. :-)
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #14 –
There are other ways to soften the daylight coming through the skylight.   RV Skylight Cover Blackout Shade - RecPro
  And https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Specialty-Recreation/SR66RR.html   Compatible with cutout sizes: 14" x 14", 14" x 22", 13" x 19", and 15" x 18"   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #15 –
Heck, for 12 years I used a square of cardboard, tweaked to pressure fit up there inside the dome, especially when the motorhome was in usual storage in an areas with dust storms.  Worked perfectly.  This is not a "genius" problem.  But it's the dome itself that sort of fell apart and leaked.  The new one from Todd is MUCH BETTER!
Kristin
1997 MB
Re: Replacing skylight (split from Re: Hello Everyone!)
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
If owning an old MB with a bad skylight, I would seriously consider covering the skylight’s opening with sheet aluminum, insulating and then finishing the ceiling in the shower, getting rid of it completely.
If the skylight was an opening vent, it would be more useful.

Larry


Think carefully about this if you're tall.   The skylight dome provides some extra headroom in the shower.  The benefit isn't just a place to put your head, but also a place to reach the shower nozzle up above your head to clear that shampoo.  

The new skylight design is SO much better than the original.   I also hesitated on the price, but the price is long forgotten and I would buy it again in a heartbeat if I ended up with a rig that needed one. 

We use a reflectix layer held in by tension rods to keep some of the heat out when needed.  

Rich


2003 MB