Canopy Window Options Please.

Allen

i have lift up windows on my canopy.really glad i opted for them over the sliding ones. access up the front of the canopy is so easy where sliding windows would have been a PITA in my opinion. also i purchased the high roof model. great for the extra high loads :-)

Allan - I'm not sure about the design of the sliding windows you're currently looking at - but every sliding window I've had anything to do with, ends up becoming difficult to slide, either leaks, or becomes loose in the slides. They generally also collect dust, dirt and water, when the drainage holes block up, as they invariably do.

My experience has ranged from sliding windows on Landrovers, to sliding windows on about 20 caravans, as well as a couple of canopies, I've owned as a contractor. Gas-strutted lift up windows that have good sealing design (important) are the best thing around, AFAIC.

There are some problems with lift up windows, as listed below - but they are quite manageable;

1. They suffer from opening restrictions in confined areas (rare, but it does happen, as in sheds or garages).

2. They do have the potential of being damaged by something passing close to it (rare - but I've seen it happen). Then there's the situation related to "mind being in neutral", and shifting the vehicle with a lift up window open, and hitting a fixed object. You never move a vehicle with lift up windows/doors open.

3. You can sometimes bang your head on them when they're open, if you're tall. Make sure the ones you're looking at, open to a good height.

You can generally get around the venting problem by installing angled or stepped vents on the leading face of the canopy.
These are vents where opening doesn't lead directly to the internal area of the canopy.
The front face of the vent is covered, and the airflow opening is behind the front face, either angled or at the side. This design ensures flying mud, water, insects, stones, etc, can't go straight into the canopy - but airflow can enter the canopy once you get above about 30kmh, to pressurise it.
If you're doing a lot of slow dusty work, you can install a small 12V fan in a canopy vent, wired into the ignition, to pressurise it.

I don't see why one would want to drive along with a vent window partially open, unless you're on a sealed road.
On dirt roads, any partly open window will suck in dust, unless the canopy or cabin is pressurised.

Cheers - Ron.

I had a Navara until recently with the smooth finish canopy from ARB. I got both sides with lift up gas struts and was very glad I did. Much easier to access gear at the front of the tub. I had no issues with banging my head etc. Whether it be lift up sides or sliding, you are still limited to the size of the opening to get things in and out, but at least with the lift up, you can utilise the whole opening, not just half with the sliding window.

The only time I thought it would be handy to have half and half (lift up ojn one side and sliding on the other) was on the odd occasion I put the dog in the back and I could have partly opened a sliding window. Other than that, for me, lift up sides were definitely the go and worth paying the extra.

As for dust ingress, I can assure you that in my vehicle at least, all I had to do was open the front sliding window about 50mm when I got onto gravel and that stopped 95% of dust from entering. I still got a very small amount of dust coming through the gaps in the tailgate, but very minimal. Without opening the front slider, which I forgot to do only once, the whole tub and canopy was filled with dust in no time. As far as I am aware, (I stand corrected if I am wrong) all ARB canopies have a front sliding window, so it would matter not if you had the 2 lift up sides.

Regards,

Dave

Hi Allan

As others have said, sliding windows tend to jam and rattle and don't give as much access as lift ups.
i suggest you think about the window openings as access points and think about which does that job best.

I would treat venting separately from access.

Using the windows as vents is problematic and is probably responsible for more dust in vehicles than is realised. The best way to keep the dust out is by using a pressure vent. That is a vent that gets air pushed into it by the vehicle moving that then pressurises the interior. The pressurised air leaks out every hole and gap in the body and stops dust getting in. It's almost impossible to dust proof by sealing all the holes and joints.

We used to try and seal rally cars in the old days but don't bother now as fitting vents is more effective.

If you use the window the air is just as likely to travel out through the window after coming in (with dust) through all those gaps and joints. Its hard to get a window located in a constant high pressure area as it changes according to the wind direction.

As previously suggested, having a fan on the vent for low speed work is not a bad idea either as it can also help ventilation when you have a strong tailwind. Solar powering it will keep the temp down inside when stationary as well and this will help a lot if you have the fridge in the back.

Regards

A

Hi Allan,

Don't even consider sliding windows.

I have lift up windows on my ARB canopy and congratulate myself on choosing lift up's every time I access the tub area. You can obtain almost full access from the front of the tub to the rear, whereas with sliding windows you only have limited access, as half the window is fixed.

Many thanks for your opinions. I will stick to my original plans for lift ups & treat ventilation issue as a separate issue as suggested.

Thanks,

G'day Allan, well you've made that decision on the canopy doors I see.

I'd like to post my experiences with ARB canopy.

Went for the textured finish, as (at least with metalics and possibly some solid colours) paint colours will vary, unless you're very lucky, and the textured surface hides a shade or 2 difference.

Went with LH lift up, right hand sliding, and front window lift up as well (very easy to clean !) . . . also had the canopy vent added, fitted up the back (top centre) about 100mm from the back), and usually leave this open.

So far it works great.

I generally leave the RH slider open 1st lock setting, a gap of ~ 35mm.

No dust enters the back, just a tad of light stuff in the tailgate jamb itself.
This may vary with other makes / models of vehicle of course.

The canopy vent is not waterproof . . . I was advised that water enters the vent and blows through the back like a snorkel, but I didn't really expect it to not allow some penetration.
It is only in heavy rain, and when around town there's usually nothing back there anyway, and on trips it's just the ice box and pantry box (large plastic sealed tub).

The only thing I've noticed bad about the lift up is that on dusty / sandy trips, grit can get into the top hinge and grate a little, easy to work out with water when it's being washed though, and a quick WD40.

No problems at all with the slider remaining clear, and workable.

Cheers,
Les