723. Hobby breakers and dismantlers, I don't think there are any just specific to the Hobby marque, you jut have to keep looking through the general caravan breakers who appear to get the odd one in now and then and yes Hobby part prices can be frightening and take a while to get delivered. Secure The Vent To The Roof. If you have a way to get to the roof without a ladder, such as a bedroom patio that rises above the roof, simply climb onto the roof from the patio instead of using a ladder. By following these steps and a little assistance, you can easily replace a caravan skylight yourself. Both Dometic and MPK have lots of PDF documents on fitting and user manual instructions on each of their roof lights. The procedure starts from the inside of the caravan. Put a caustic substance on your aluminium caravan at your peril. Step 1: Choosing the place you want to install the RV skylight. Use the screwdriver according to the kind of screws. When I got back home, I unscrewed the inside plastic finish and pushed up on the skylight to release it. Grab a stable ladder and have a look at the seams along the top sides of the van (called J-moulds), and around any roof apertures such as hatches, antennas and air-con units for any split, lifted or discoloured sealant. It offers the additional luminosity you need. When you buy via our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. I've tried removingsome of the plastic covers from inside but they don't want to move. Essentially, instead of a line or cross the screw head appears as a six-pointed star shape. Update your browser to view this website correctly. Start by removing the screw caps on the inner trim of the skylight. But I appreciate its not the easiest or simplest job to do when cleaning a caravan or motorhome. So, if you want to know how to replace a caravan skylight when it breaks or gets dirty, you have landed just the right place. In the short-term I have siliconed down a sheet of perspex covered over with polythene taped down with weights in the corner. Measure the space for the caravan window. When you use a different sealant MAKE SURE you use silicone sealant remover extensively. Including fridges, cookers, air conditioning units and of course, Heki roof lights. Just a point about using Sikaflex from using it in a REALLY important application (underwater on boats), it is important to use the Sika cleaning product, and also use a Sika primer when "re-Sikaflexing" something. In relation to mastic tape, how do you lay it without overlapping that prevents a leak path? Common sense isn't a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it. - YouTube 0:00 / 5:38 Introduction Description of how to remove a caravan window. Disclaimer: Hey! Arthur knows that this might change once he got married to the love of his life, Amanda. . Put the nut on a few turns and put something like a block of wood under the arm holding it putting pressure on the arm and tap the nut with a hammer. Furthermore, as I reference above really each roof light Heki/MPK has a different design, the number of screws to remove, size of screws etc. 400, to replace it was in excess of 800 ! We stock top-rate vents and skylights from the most trusted caravan appliance brands including Dometic, Camec, Fiamma, Maxx Air and Thetford. By the way any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon or Caravan Guard are affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase, with no additional cost to you. I notice new parts for HOBBY are a horrendous price. Dobloseven While the same hatch lid is used for all three styles . Drill a pilot hole and screw 3. With the rooflight out ofthe way, remove all of the old mastic. Apply pressure on the edges and corners of the skylight so that it is completely sealed. Also be sure to be very sparing with minerals spirits if you have a rubber roof, being careful not to soak the material.Now apply a nice thick bead of SureBond SB-140 on top of the old screw holes all the way around, and place your new skylight down, wiggling it slightly to spread the new sealant into place. There is the Heki 2, 3, Plus, Delux, Mini, Micro and Midi. Now, you should be familiar with Dometic unless you are a caravan beginner or motorhome beginner. Might try that as there are two stock car rally venues withing 40 mile radius. The existing mesh is very securely glued around the edges and those edges are extremely fine. If you are worried about the irregularity and non-resemblance of the holes of your current skylight to the old one, it is still okay. The national average cost of skylight repair ranges between $350 and $800. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Caravan Maintenance How To Replace A Caravan Skylight. However, if you find it a bit difficult scraping off the old sealant, you may use a mineral spirit to soften the dry putty to help you take it off conveniently. At the basics, bauxite is dissolved in caustic soda and later in the process the caustic soda is separated from the alumina which is then "cooked" and becomes a powder. Clean a skylight with soapy water or vinegar only, like ammonia, alcohol, or petroleum-based cleaning solutions will irreversibly damage the materials used in just about every skylight. Cut out the hole. A golden shade of light passing through it glittered everything inside. The next steps involve placing the new skylight and tightening it from the inside. If the original rooflightis in perfect working orderbut simply needs a clean, its a very simple task toremove the covers so you can give it a good clean. So after reading this post, as stated above find and check the manual for your specific roof light. Its of an age before large Heki rooflights or sunroofs were fitted, and both pop-ups (one over the kitchen, the other in the washroom) were quite grubby. Hopefully this will seal up the van and allow the inside to dry out, when I can then take stock of the damage done. We will see how you can determine the right location and provide a step-by-step guide on . If it's stuck, use a flat blade to carefully pry it out by levering around the edges. A vacuum cleaner, also known simply as a vacuum or a hoover, is a device that causes suction in order to remove dirt from floors, upholstery, draperies, and other surfaces. If your RV's skylight is cracked or broken, or just old and cloudy, we'll show you how easy it is to replace it with a brand new one. Ref. While the fly screen generally does a good job of stopping flys and insects getting into the caravan or motorhome, they often get stuck in the screen. There is very little 'sticking area' along the edge plastic frame. Start by removing the screw caps on the inner trim of the skylight. Read the document for your specific roof light to find out how to take it apart and clean it. .. By Cut the mastic seal evenly according to the sides. After removing the inner trim, you will see that four metal clips hold the remaining structure. At 75, the new unit is not cheap, but its design means you'll benefit from better ventilation and natural light. As has been said cleaning the area of the roof thoroughly (plus the flange on the skylight if re-using it) is paramount. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. What is the best way to reseal a skylight? By following these steps, you can easily replace a caravan skylight in no time. It would be easier to use your putty knife to help you elevate and loosen the edges of the skylight dome until it gets easier to remove it altogether. Store on a flat, clean, dry surface. From inside the caravan you can clean the interior surface of the roof light. If you want to replace your pop-up skylight for whatsoever reason, here is the list of required tools: A small knife or a flat-blade screwdriver. If you remove the screws it will separate the inner and out frames. Therefore, I wanted to write this post to emphasis that roof lights can be removed, separated and cleaned. Mastic seal is bound to the base of the roof, so be very careful; otherwise, you will end up damaging the roof. Everyone was right you can walk on the roof of a HOBBY. After removing the mastic seal, apply white spirit using a cloth on the surface. After doing so, you may now continue removing all the sealant residue as much as possible. Have attached photos hopefully somebody can help. Continue peeling the tint away from the window until it is completely removed. Next, check that the new rooflight is clean whereit sits on the roof (ie remove any old mastic and so on), then place it into the aperture,pressing the edges and particularly the corners into the mastic sealing strip. Make sure that the knife you are using is not too sharp. If you don't have a "jet" setting on your hose nozzle, block 3/4 of the end of the hose with your thumb to build pressure in the hose and shoot out a jet of water. Clean the area using a clean rag and white spirit. Once this has been done, thoroughly clean around the sides with white spirit, and ensurethat none of the old mastic remains. At the same time, it makes your RV illuminated and captivating. However, the compromise is dirt and insects get stuck in between the two layers of plastic. To do this, use a metal scraper. However, your RV skylight cannot last a lifetime. How do you measure a caravan window? About -Why You Should Trust Us -Contact -Privacy Policy -Disclaimer-Sitemap, Training Series RV Skylight Replacement, Step 1: Decide on the type of motorhome skylight replacement, Step 7: Place the RV skylight replacement, How to Clean an RV Holding Tank? Does anyone know how to remove the flyscreen in the roof vent for cleaning? Step 2: Lift all lap joins and apply an MS sealer between them (not over them). After determining where exactly you want to add an RV skylight now determine how deep the skylight should be. Domestic produce a huge range of items found in caravans and motorhomes. With these removed, the covers should simply lift off. #RVSKYLIGHTREPLACEMENT #RVDIY #RVREPAIR #RVLIFE #RVLIVING #FULLTIMERV #RVMAINTENANCE #RVMODS #RVUPGRADES #RVTRAVEL #DIYRV #RVGEEKS Once you see the old dome screws, remove them. After you are confident that the skylight is perfectly clean, gently place it on the mastic seal. So go on, ring the changes - have a look through our selection and freshen up your caravan kitchen or bathroom. The exterior of the skylight is generally much dirtier than the interior, so be prepared to spend a few minutes scrubbing, and using a little more elbow grease. The term 'you' refers to the user or viewer of our website. Consider subscribing to my channel and hit the bell icon also so you'll be notified when I upload my next awesome video!If you want to make a donationhttps://paypal.me/angrycamperI use EpidemicSound for music, Get 1 month free trial using my referral link:www.epidemicsound.com/referral/o568ku/Check my Instagram for realtime updates:@Angry_Camper Check my dog's Instagram:@Niilo_the_traveldog #vanlife Place a ladder on the side of the caravan as close to the skylight as possible. Whatever you do don't apply sealant! There will be a screw at the end of each metal clip. Instead, you simply can repair the crack. US $75. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Again VOLVOVANNER was right the opening in the roof is 400X400 so may be able to get a non HOBBY replacement. Replacing a caravan skylight is one of the simplest DIY projects. While they are generally more expensive you have much better contact between the screwdriver and screw. 3 Easy Steps to Measure RV Skylight. ADD TO CART. Release the clips by unscrewing each of the screws. After the tint has been removed, you may notice that there is still some adhesive residue left on the window. A dry mop is a great alternative for this, as it absorbs water extremely well. But looking now for the correct sealant & a replacement window winder (photos attached). Any task you perform or product you purchase based on any information we provide is strictly at your own risk.We sometimes receive products for evaluation at no cost, and The RVgeeks participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. (The Comprehensive Guide), RV Appliances, Heating, Air Conditioning & Ventilation. We drove away from our \"stick house\" for the last time on April 11, 2003 and never looked back. Also with Sika. Published: January 11, 2016. If there are stains that don't come out with these methods, consult the manufacturer's guide to find out if there are any recommended chemicals to use with your skylight's material. Roof lights perform two roles, not only do they let more natural light into the caravan/motorhome they also provide ventilation. Please also be aware, hortoncommon.co.uk is a participant in affiliate programs for Webgains Ltd, Awin Ltd and the Amazon EU Associates Programme. If the roof light is greasy and water alone just wont clean it, a little bit of a low abrasive cleaner such as Fenwicks should be able to clean it up: Image Amazon.co.uk. Read More. Usually, there are four screws, one on each corner of the trim. The website owner accepts no liability for false, inaccurate or incomplete information. US $75 CARAVAN 08-10 This switch has been tested before removal TOWN & COUNTRY 08-10. Remove the old skylight and clean off sealant using panel wipe thinners Apply mastic sealing strip, sealant or caulking to the roof receiving flange Next, place the roof flange carefully into the correct position Apply additional sealant around the roof flange to prevent water ingress Hence, you are less likely to slip/strip and damage the screw head. Even with a rag attached at the end, the sharp tip of a pole could damage your skylight if you push into it forcefully. Midi Heki Skylight - 700mm x 500mm. Thanks to V&G Caravans in Whittlesey (tel 01733 350 580) [tl:gallery size=460] 1 Install all of the screws, keeping in mind that it is unlikely that many (or any) of them will go back into the original holes. Now that we have removed all the old sealants and the screws holding the old skylight dome, you are now ready to remove it. Some very heavy rain in the last few days, priority now immediate. Hence, by trying to improve the appearance of the roof light by cleaning it you may end up making it look worse. If parts of the roof light are still dirty you could try a bit of caravan cleaner detergent, something thats not too abrasive. Otherwise, you will have to over-stretch, and the procedure will become more complex. Best Caravans With Rear Washrooms - For All Budgets. Dirt and insects can get trapped inside this roof light: Image Amazon.co.uk. One of our guests has brought up in the past their frustration with the poor condition of their roof light and how dirty it was but they were unable to clean it. **cash for dexcom g6 ,medtronic,omni pods &test strips supplies** - $1,600 (kalispell) we pay cash for diabetic test strips , dexcom g6 supplies, medtronic supplies , omnipod supplies, tandem supplies,freestyle libre 2 supplies***please call or text me at 772-924-0850*****our website is" usateststripscenter.com "*****we are base in port st.lucie florida , we cover 100% of your shipping cost . Have to look for one of those too. Smartrving is reader-supported. I climbed up for a look at the roof of the van and found that silicone, the type you would put round your bath was all over the place, but done in such a way that it was applied to the side of the skylight fitting. Caravan Guard Limited are not responsible for the content displayed on this website, articles are based on the personal experiences of the owner of this website. Once youre happy thatthe unit is correctly seated, secure it from inside the caravan by using the four clips and screws. Remember, your roof light is made from plastic (acrylic). You now have a new pop-up rooflight on your caravan. ( new word ). Step 5: Apply x2 full coats of the liquid silicone/ rubber sealant over the entire caravan or camper roof to fully reseal. 2023 Practical Caravan is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Apply a thin layer of auto wax to the inside and outside of your skylight after cleaning and drying it to maintain its shine and prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime. Check your RV's framing detail. Details about 2008-2010 Dodge Caravan Town Country Left Master Power Window Switch 68039999AC. Although they can become brittle and broken, you can easily pick up spares/replacements from local dealer or ebay etc. He loves RVing that he spends most of his time in his recreational vehicle and on the road. Mild, soapy water is all you need to get a skylight clean, no matter the material. After carefully putting the covers in place (soas not to disturb the rubber washers), replace the four screws and their washers. Then use your putty knife again to scrape up any excess sealant. A pop-top caravan is a caravan that has a reduced height, the roof 'pops' up to full height when you set up and gives you a portion of canvas around the top of the caravan. There are sometimes ways around using Hobby bits, for example my all singing dancing 3 way fridge freezer started playing up, parts to repair approx. Also be sure to have some extra self-drilling screws on hand just in case, since there may be more screw holes in the new skylight than in the old one.After using your putty knife to scrape away enough sealant to expose the screw heads, remove them all with your screw gun (you could do this by hand, but there are an awful lots of screws to remove and re-install). Its not only unsightly, but it significantly alters the amount of light in the van, too. i am about to remove front large window on my avondale dart 545, to send to firm for new replacement, some say lift horizontal and slide out, this is not poss. So, the first thing was to release the eye bolt at the distribution block by undoing the securing nut. Then you move to the top and carefully remove the old skylight by breaking the seal. This venting principle works well. You can get those insects and dirt out, but youre going to have to remove the roof light and take it apart. Any dust particles left on the surface of the skylight can affect the sealing process. Hi, Im Chris, along with my father Robert we operate and maintain Horton Common Caravan Site. Skylight comes in various sizes and shapes, ranging from the fixed, tubular, to ventilated skylights. Vinegar works well for cleaning skylights in kitchens where grease may have spattered on them. Working outside the caravan,remove the four screws that secure the covers to thehandles. This article has been viewed 40,790 times. How do you seal a caravan roof? The labour cost of repairing and replacing caravan parts is increasing day by day. If the crack is small, you don't need to go through the expense of replacing the whole skylight. .. Can you not get to it from each side with a ladder against awning rail BUT, DO protect the awning rail from damage with ideally some foam pipe insulation tube cut down its length and then refitted to the ladder where it touches the awning rail and held in place with insulation tape or cable tiewhich will spread the load/prevent damage to the awning rail PLUS stop ladder from slipping. You will need to watch my video on how to remove the door panel and window fi. VOLVOVANNER was right skylight cosmetic cover is secured with a ball & socket configuration that pulls away with a little effort. I contacted Dometic and ordered a new Mini Heki Plus rooflight to replace the original. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Mastic sealing strip(from a caravan dealer). Also, be sure to retrieve the four rubber washers between the lowerside of the covers and handles these are the main seal. Tried prising the long covers, tried gently knocking them back but no movement:(. After being out in driving rain, I noticed a bad leak from my skylight in the WC. If it is the standard square skylight as we have in the bedroom of our Hobby 540, if you look at the frame where it is butted up to the ceiling you should see small circular cap at each corner. Press reply if you need to follow up. With years, the mastic becomes grippy, and removing it becomes a challenging task. Now, each manufacturer (Dometic/MPK) produces a huge range of different roof lights. However, you must be careful not to damage the roof. Also advice for the cracks where the bolts are also appreciated! kippamip 52 subscribers Subscribe 13K views 3 years ago A. Apply sealant generously into the groove that should be on the bottom surface of the skylight. The reason to shift from transparent orange plastic to double skinned white translucent plastic was to enhance plastic. Roof thickness 1369 25-29 mm 137030-34 mm (accessories trade: screws included) 1371 35-60 mm For roof thickness 35-42 mm = length of screws 20mm For roof thickness 43-52 mm = length of screws 32mm For instance, in the video, Keith first removed the roof light with a Torx 10 and then later had to use a Torx 20 to separate the roof light for cleaning. Return inside the caravan and replace the trim, beforesecuring it with the four screws. Gain access to your skylight's roof flashing. Powered by Invision Community. There are many videos for pop up windowsbut none detail the HOBBY. Replace the four screw caps(if fitted), and the job is complete. Optional: Remove all the screw caps from the underside panel and remove the screws. Most caravans and motorhomes have at least one roof light fitted, sometimes also referred to as a skylight. 2 side zips for opening the door/window . A skylight does not just provide the natural lighting you need but also helps in saving much energy during the day. December 1, 2018 in Hobby Caravans. What or how are your covers held on? This will remove any remaining mastic seal from the surface and provide you a clean finish. The Phantom. Carefully prise the roller unit out of its socket and you will find a plastic lug in the end of the roller. There are lots of places online though where you can pick up a set of Torx screwdrivers such as the set below. Silicone sealant will stop anything sticking to it. This is to avoid the rainwater sipping through inside your RV. The easy part is now over. You can use them again for new skylight installation if they are not damaged, so keep them safe. If an inner trim comes with the new skylight panel, congratulations; otherwise, simply clean the previous one and place it back. I intend going to Halfords where they are selling Carafax IDL99 Sealant for a quid a pop. Access to your roof and a few tools are all it takes to get the job done.For more details \u0026 written instructions for RV Skylight Replacement:https://www.thervgeeks.com/rv-skylight-replacement/FEATURED \u0026 RELATED PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON:Surebond SB-140 Skylight sealant: http://amzn.to/2nF4ZbqNitrile Gloves: http://amzn.to/2GI1adYDewalt Cordless Drill: http://amzn.to/2DIv2FbApril 11th marks exactly a decade of full-time RVing for us! Except when sleeping, Arthur cannot keep camping out his mind. Next is looks because it's a beautifully restored caravan and it would be a real shame to just use duck tape or whatever. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. At the other end of the spectrum, there are Best Caravans Under 1,500KG MTPLM - For Each Layout. Do this in several locations around the window frame and rely on the smallest measurement once again as your final dimension. .Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avant 505 (Tobago). Step 3: Remove the window cassette and store in a flat, secure place. The windows is made up as follows -. P. S. Thanks for the advise on the method of laying the mastic to you both. Back outside, carefully trim any excess sealing strip, making sure that you dont pullany out from under the rim of the rooflight assembly. They did include in the title of the video Heki, but they later realised their mistake as they noted in the video description. Thanks Gordon, will check again today. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The sealant will then make a bond between the new skylight dome and the roof. Nip up the screws, but dont over-tighten them or you could damage the covers and threads. You can get the job done by simply unscrewing some screws and removing the inner trim. I recently wrote a post on how to clean a caravan roof. If your RV's skylight is cracked or broken, or just old and cloudy, we'll show you how easy it is to replace it with a brand new one. Mastic Sealing Strip. To make things easier, place the ladder on the other side after breaking the mastic seal from one side. Just make sure that as you stick it to the rook you don't stretch it. The panel on the long side is just a plastic cover, not a light. Before placing the new skylight, clean it properly from all sides. I will photograph / video & upload if successful. Ensure that you retrieve both the screws and washers. The skylight fiting looks like it should have mastic applied to the underneath of it so it is pressed onto the roof, and then the inside trim is screwed on to tighten it, forming a seal. Use the screwdriver according to the kind of screws. For this, lay on the top instead of standing to do the job. Providing natural light for all day. It is vulnerable to damage because of natural adversities that are inevitable such as the wind, rain, UV rays, and snow. Heki roof lights are produced by Dometic. The next step is applying the new mastic seal. The reason being the video itself really provides the information you need. When I did this job on our old Lunar I bought a roll of mastic tape from a caravan dealer It did the job perfectly and no further problem. Then use your putty knife to cut the sealant holding the old skylight onto the roof. 3) Unscrew top and bottom screws from both Winder Control Boxes. This is just one example of the many Torx screwdriver sets you can purchase online. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Dont use abrasive cleaning pads since they could scratch or damage your skylight. If you have a rubber roof (or \"EPDM\"), be extra careful not to accidentally cut it.Once you've broken the old sealant all the way around the perimeter, the old skylight will lift right off. Depending on which type skylight you have i have re sealed several over the years normally the inner part is held in place by a ball and socket arrangement which just allows the two parts to separate, they do take a bit of pressure to part them but once started it does part complete,when the inside part is removed there are screwed brackets holding the top part in place remove these then clean thourally the roof and top part i use silkafix to re seal. The term 'Caravan Parts' or 'us' or 'we' refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is 506-510 Boundary Street, Wilsonton, Qld, 4350, AU. Final question to you guys, does anyone know of a HOBBY breaker/dismantler in the UK. On a similar vein, one Hobby owner on the site had problems with one of his roof lights, the ones that lift up and slide back, it was stiff, he's of the ' give it a good pull and it'll work ' mind, wrong, he completely destroyed the slides, dropped cork legged when he found out the Hobby price and lead time, sourced a Heki one just slightly oversize, again half a days careful work with general woodworking tools by the two of us and he had a cheaper and better option with the advantage of readily available and reasonably priced spares. First, just try and use water to remove the dirt. But one of the stays broke while they were on a recent trip away, which gave me the opportunity to replace one rooflight and clean the other one thoroughly.