How to Cut a RV Door to Install a AP Products Thin (Slim) Shade Window and Great Tips- Step by Step

Michael Bracewell The Travel Trailer Guy

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Here's a detailed installation video (On my Son & his Wife's trailer) from start to finish by cutting an opening in a RV door to accept a AP Products Thin (Slim) Shade Window (I removed the door to make this process easier). This same process can be used to replace your existing door window except you will not need to remove the door to do it.
You will learn a lot from this video as I explain why I installed the window, why I picked the location to put it in the door, how I determined where the door frame is in the door, tips on how to install the shade that are not included in the instructions, lots of tips for cutting the opening, tools & materials I used to accomplish the installation, and why I did not install the Thin (Slim) Shade upside down like I see many people doing.
Here's my video on me replacing our existing frosted door window with a AP Products Thin (Slim) Shade Window -
• AP Products Thin Shade...
Note: Products I used and links to them are provided below.
Check out my other RU-vid videos by clicking this link -
/ michaelbracewellthetra...
Michael Bracewell "The Travel Trailer Guy" is a Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying Amazon purchases by you using the Amazon links below at no additional cost to you. Thank you
Materials and Tools Used -
AP Products 015-201512 Slim Shade -
amzn.to/3nayq4A
3 Pack 1" x 60 Yard STIKK Blue Painters Tape -
amzn.to/3nbFM7Y
Sharpie Permanent Marker -
amzn.to/3naz3uY
Stanley 10788 Curved Quick-Change Utility Knife -
amzn.to/3JVyz5G
BOSCH JS260 120-Volt Top-Handle Jigsaw -
amzn.to/3Gb89dH
BOSCH T5002 T-Shank Multi-Purpose Jigsaw Blades, 10 Piece -
amzn.to/3tcbCVK
Professional Stud Finder -
amzn.to/3td3K6I
WORKPRO 12-in-1 Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set, Quick-load Mechanism Screwdriver with Double End Bits in Handle -
amzn.to/3t8hvU9
DEWALT DXV06P 6 gallon Poly Wet/Dry Vac -
amzn.to/3qZIDSp
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional for advice. We are NOT liable for any damage to your RV or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions. We are not RV professionals or certified technicians. We are simply RV owners who work on our own RVs and have a desire to share what we learn with others. Be responsible and know your limits.

Опубликовано:

29 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 54

@chriskoran836 5 месяцев назад

Hey Mike (Michael?) - thanks so much for this video. I purchased the Lippert version (not the AP Products) in hopes that a name-brand version would be better in the long run, but it doesn’t even come with a template anywhere! Even the box doesn’t have a cut out. Really a missed opportunity on their part. But I’ll manage past that part and get one cut out one way or another. But the rest of your video really applies to anyone no matter of the brand they choose. My TT is also a Forest River (Heritage Glen) and the door hinges appear to be identical to yours. I’m taking your tips on placing it centered in the upper screened area as well as the taping of the foot of the jigsaw and will cut very slowly with a fine blade. I really appreciate your methodical and thoughtful approach to your projects - thanks again!

@thetraveltrailerguy 5 месяцев назад

Thank you so much for watching and your feedback Chris. The trick is to just take your time and think things out rather than rush :) Sounds like you got this, you're going to enjoy having a window and shade in the door. I recommend you keep the shade in the open position when you are not using the trailer, I have seen some shades where people leave them down all the time and when this happens the folding shade pleats don't work as good. Thanks again :) www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@garlandstyle5797 2 года назад

Good job Michael. :) Thanks for the detailed install instructions.

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Thanks Michael, I must say I was a little nervous before I cut the door that I would mess it up and that would not be funny at all. When do you think you will be getting out in your trailer again nd making videos, we miss them? (the trailer I did this to is my Son & his Wife's )

@garlandstyle5797 2 года назад

@@thetraveltrailerguy I thought that was your kids trailer. :) Not sure when we'll get out again. Anti-vaxxers are really keeping this pandemic going and screwing things up. So? If it calms down some this spring, we'd love to get going again. Thanks

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

@@garlandstyle5797 I hope you are able to get out soon, camping is so relaxing. Let just hope more people get vaccinated to help end this thing or at least control it better than it is now. I have family that works in the medical field and I must say its very stressful for them and the families and it would help if more people got vaccinated. I've had my booster for awhile now and when I can I will be getting my 2nd booster, not just for myself but for others also, Stay safe buddy

@garlandstyle5797 2 года назад

@@thetraveltrailerguy Yep, we've had ours and the booster. If another booster comes out, we'll get that too. I'd be devastated if I gave it to anyone. We'll be safe, YOU guys be safe.

@All_That_Jay_Dee 6 месяцев назад

Great job. Well thought out and methodical. I did a couple of things different. I installed the shade after the window/frame install, but it looks like you model doesn't have the clips on top and bottom of frame that holds the shade in place. Also, I kept the outer frame downward during installation braced a saw horse for two reasons. 1.) Tape only holds for me when I want to peel it off (haha) and didn't trust is to keep the glass from falling/break. 2.) Inside frame facing me allowed inserting/tighting screws more ergonomical. All and all..NICE JOB!!! By the way, that's a really nice trailer you have!!

@thetraveltrailerguy 6 месяцев назад

Thanks so much for watching and sharing your installation process. We had the 2504s Rockwood Mini Lite you saw in the begging of the video for around 6 years and really liked it and traveled around 25,000 miles with it. We recently bought a 2575 Lance that a friend was selling and couldn't pass up on the deal. Here's a link to what it looks like (Ours has two swivel rocker chairs and gray interior trim instead of the couch and colors you see in the video) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZndZYkir4Xc.htmlsi=pR-2QwLHREqSojnf The trailer I installed the door window in was my Son trailer, its pretty nice. www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@ronpearson1790 2 года назад

Great install! I have implemented a lot of your mods in my Mini Lite. One question unrelated to this video that I have always had is with your battery/inverter install on your Mini Lite. You don't appear to have a battery monitor installed. Why?

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Hello Ron, thanks so much for watching and doing some of the modifications I share, its good to hear :) I like sharing things I do in hopes it will help others. (by the way we still have the Mini Lite the trailer in the video is my son and his wife's) Here's the walk through on it - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5V3Dgf8CqbU.html / Good catch on the battery monitor, I use the monitor I have for my Renogy solar charge controller, I can see it through Bluetooth and it gives me basic information so I can see what's happening with solar and the batteries. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k9qFL3_ISbQ.html / Keep an eye out for a video I'm putting together of me replacing my four 6 volt batteries to two 12 volt Battle Born Lithium Batteries (I bought them during a big sale they were having around the holidays along with a new controller/ charger made for lithium batteries. I forgot what trailer model and year do you have again?

@ronpearson1790 2 года назад

@@thetraveltrailerguy I have a 2019 Mini Lite 2109S. I too was relying on my Renogy Rover for monitoring the battery until last year. There are differences. Only a battery monitor with a shunt will give true readings for your loads. Last year when I installed my battery box, I put a Renogy battery monitor in the trailer and the shunt in the box with my two Interstate 6 volts.When using the inverter with the transfer switch, I can see how many amps all my appliances use. Since you are planning to go to two lithium batteries, you should have extra room to put a shunt in your battery box. Victron has a nice bluetooth shunt which would save you from running the data cable to a monitor display inside. I also installed my Inverter last year. With all the wires to the battery, I needed the battery box! I used 2/0 wire for wiring the batteries together, the shunt and the inverter. All wire goes to two 4 post bus bars.

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

@@ronpearson1790 Is this the shunt you are talking about - (Amazon Affiliate Link) - amzn.to/3nco2cm

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_GjcGZsK4fI.html

@ronpearson1790 2 года назад

@@thetraveltrailerguy Yes, that's the one. It's come down quite a bit in price. It used to be over $200!

@audenejay4291 6 месяцев назад

Wow! So thorough. Never guessed it would be this easy. Is it the same for adding a regular window?

@thetraveltrailerguy 6 месяцев назад

Thank you Audene, Its pretty easy to do as you saw in the video. It would be just as easy or easier replacing it with a regular window. I'm pretty sure they come in clear and tinted. Search the internet looking for the size you need or contact etrailer to ask them if they have one for you. Here's their link - www.etrailer.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqpSwBhClARIsADlZ_TkqBNmZHbPXjlVMlgeY6esvXAU2Pz3kprAo0asMog3PINH6nSzgGsYaApK2EALw_wcB www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@tadtravis Год назад

ok, videos like this make me thank the Gods for You Tube! So many little tips that I would not consider.... and as ANY inclination would be to keep the door on while installing this, I'm looking into taking it off... it makes sense for stablility.... I LOVE your rpod, I was looking at the last year.... went with something smaller, but having NO window just stinks.... thanks again, I hope your travels are sfae!!!!!!!!!!

@thetraveltrailerguy Год назад

Thanks for watching and commenting Tad, you can learn pretty much everything watching RU-vid :) Happy camping :) www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@chargermikec 7 месяцев назад

Very thorough, much appreciated 😊

@thetraveltrailerguy 7 месяцев назад

You're welcome, I'm happy to be able to help my fellow camper friends. Thanks for watching and commenting. www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@jorgemarquez1510 Год назад

Nice job ,Thanks for you video

@thetraveltrailerguy Год назад

Thank you commenting and watching Jorge. This project was very easy to do. www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@angelafitzgerald3293 2 года назад

This is a great video. Have you also made a video about the Rpod murphy bed modification? Would love to see this as well.

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Thank you, I will put modifying the Murphy Bed on my list of future videos :) ru-vid.comvideos

@richg5991 Год назад

Thanks for your video, I installed my window today, your video helped me get through this instalation

@thetraveltrailerguy Год назад

Thank you Rich happy to help that's why I make these videos. Did you need to cut out a opening or did it have one already? What trailer do you have? Thanks again, Mike www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@richg5991 Год назад

@thetraveltrailerguy I did need to cut an opening, I did this by myself, so I opted to leave the door attached. I had some heavy-duty tape to keep the glass in place. The only challenge I had was trying to align the two pieces to find the screw holes on the outside piece, once I found a couple, the others went in fine. I have a 2017 Forest River Salem Lite. Thanks again for your help!

@thetraveltrailerguy Год назад

@@richg5991 That's great, your going to like the extra light that it allows to come in. Thanks for your reply

@GABBYGAVY 2 года назад

Thank you for the video. We followed your instructions

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

You are welcome, did it all go well doing the installation? Thank you so much for watching and commenting :) ru-vid.comvideos

@BillA-o5g Год назад

Great video. I was much more confident cutting a hole in my door after watching. Tips for the install were excellent tips. Taking the door off was a much better idea than trying to cut with the door attached. Thanks for sharing.

@thetraveltrailerguy Год назад

You're welcome and thanks so much for watching, commenting, and sharing you experience. www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@TNTRVing 2 года назад

Great install video Michael, thanks for sharing…

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Thank you, I must say that I was a little nervous cutting the door :) thanks for watching

@Tom-Fisherman 2 года назад

Put it in upside down and it can make it so you can see out (over the top) and leave the view obstructed for those outside. Its a big win-win for my two girls and me.

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Great Idea and I thought about it when I did our trailer in this video but didn't (the trailer in the video is my son and his wife's) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xuVyohU-RkU.html / Check out what I said about installing it upside down in this video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-N0meFIAXNS0.html

@dakotafisher6874 2 года назад

Good information again Michael. Thanks for keeping us posted with new things. Happy new year to.

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Thank you, the more I share the more people learn the ends and outs of doing things. And hopefully it all gives them courage to do projects and maintenance themselves instead or paying people to do the work. Happy New Year :)

@bobabooie6389 Год назад

Looks good

@thetraveltrailerguy Год назад

Thank you Bob, I really like how this turned out and was very easy to do. Thanks for watching and commenting I appreciate it :) www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

@tammay9064 2 года назад

Great addition! Hard to believe that camper door was supposed to come like that. I have seen that with a secondary door, but then they usually put in a peep hole. A couple years ago we changed our door window to the one you used mostly because it had tint and shade incorporated. But to be honest, installing this window to give you more light…because of the tint and the shade- this window does not give you much additional light. But it does swap out easily and quickly. My husband and I did our window swap in about 15-20 minutes. Did not have to- cut anything or take the door off the hinges.

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Thanks :) This is my Son and his wife's trailer and came this way. I figured it would be easier to just remove the door to cut and install it. I changed out our window with the same thing and didn't have to cut the door to do it, its a simple install and I'm happy we did it. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment :)

@TimothyWhitaker 2 года назад

Very well made video on how to install AP Tinted window and shade. I’m going to install the same window in the coming days. This video was very helpful and I do appreciate your experience!! Thank you!!

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Thank you so much for the feedback, I appreciate it. Its easy to do just take your time and double check your measurements. Have fun and happy camping. ru-vid.comvideos

@helohalo 2 года назад

Hi Travel Trailer Guy! I like the camper. Does this replace the mini lite? I guess you got that one too perfect so nothing left to make videos about, eh? 😀 Love the videos. Hope you do a walk through on the new rig sometime. Take care.

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Good catch, I still have the Mini Lite. I should have mentioned that this is my Son and his wife's trailer. Here's a link to my walk through on it :) Thanks so much for commenting and watching - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5V3Dgf8CqbU.html

@christianduquette2173 2 года назад

Nice job, just bought a enclosed trailer with rv door type! I need to cut the hole! How thick is your door?

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

Thank you, this door was around 1 3/8" thick (where I cut out the opening. note: this measurement is not including the outer door frame) and most RV doors are this same thickness. AP Products 015-201512 Slim Shade - amzn.to/3nayq4A

@christianduquette2173 2 года назад

@@thetraveltrailerguy ok, mine is 1 1/2

@thetraveltrailerguy 2 года назад

@@christianduquette2173 It should work fine. is the 1 1/2" the frame measurement or the door material measurement. AP Products 015-201512 Slim Shade - amzn.to/3nayq4A Here's what I read under the Amazon Questions Area: Q: It says this is 2" thick, but our door is not 2", so will this accommodate a door that is 1 5/8" thick? A: Our door is “standard” 1-7/8” and it fits just fine. By Mr. Robinson on October 29, 2019 Q: I have a 2017 zinger with an 1 1/2 door. Would this work on it? A: I believe that was the thickness of our door as well. By Sandy on August 25, 2020

@christianduquette2173 2 года назад

1 1/2 door thicknes