Choosing how many windows to include and what type is one of the first big decisions you'll face in any vehicle conversion. Windows aren't just about the view: they shape the feel, light, ventilation, comfort, and even how well your bus retains heat in hot weather or cold.
Whether you decide to keep most of the factory openings, replace them with custom RV-style windows, or strike a balance between the two, this article walks through the pros, cons, and real-world experiences of living with your choices, including how windows interact with heating and air conditioning in your rolling home.
Click on the link below to read this article.
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/articles/regular-articles/windows-in-a-bus-conversion-and-or-air-conditioning/
Become a member of BCM for only $20 annually and gain immediate access to all New Articles about converting any vehicle to a home on wheels, six months before non-members. You will also have access to other valuable information and discounts on all RV components, as well as read over 2,500 articles on Bus Conversions that apply to any RV conversion you are interested in.
I think the windows will probably be the last thing I do. I'd love to replace about 6 of them with sliders but at around $500 each that's about 3 grand and that requires some budgeting. Might do them one at a time though. Just to check the fit you understand...
Jim
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on April 18, 2026, 04:42:12 AMI think the windows will probably be the last thing I do. I'd love to replace about 6 of them with sliders but at around $500 each that's about 3 grand and that requires some budgeting. Might do them one at a time though. Just to check the fit you understand...
Jim
The fit of the window or how easily you wallet fits in you pocket? :o
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on April 18, 2026, 04:42:12 AMI think the windows will probably be the last thing I do. I'd love to replace about 6 of them with sliders but at around $500 each that's about 3 grand and that requires some budgeting. Might do them one at a time though. Just to check the fit you understand...
Jim
The lack of sliding windows is one thing I don't like in the Prevost factory conversions; they may have 2 on each side at the bottom of the window with about 6 inches of opening, I would prefer a full sliding 1/2 window in the conversion like my Country Coach Magna had., it makes you depend too much on the AC units in the summertime you don't get much air movement with the tiny factory sliders in the Prevost and some conversions,2 good vent fans are a must in conversions if you like fresh air
What was the link for that outfit in the northwest that sells the sliders that just swap into the 102DL3? I think I'll go ahead and order one. Get this process started.
Jim
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on April 19, 2026, 10:15:14 AMWhat was the link for that outfit in the northwest that sells the sliders that just swap into the 102DL3? I think I'll go ahead and order one. Get this process started.
Jim
I think you are talking about: Coach Glass in Oregon (https://coachglass.com/)
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on April 19, 2026, 10:15:14 AMWhat was the link for that outfit in the northwest that sells the sliders that just swap into the 102DL3? I think I'll go ahead and order one. Get this process started.
Jim
You may be talking about https://peninsulaglass.com/ in Portland, OR.
Go to a rv surplus they have dual pane windows made by a company in CA ,there are a couple of more that make windows that will drop in for the Dl-3, Call MCI they may have some for their conversion shells they made for few years ask Phil Lyons here who made the windows in his DL-3 conversion I don't believe those are In Motion windows, I think his are made by Geil windows I had those in my Safiri Trek
Odd, I didn't see anything on those two sites, I should probably dig out that old thread about them. Seems like I contacted a company that made them. It's the drop-in slider cartridges I'm looking for, probably with tinted glass, don't know about the double pane biz, if that's even a possibility in a slider (with screen) but I could see it being a plus. And it makes sense that ceramic film could be applied as a tint before installing but if it comes that way it'd be better.
Jim
https://coachglass.com/products-rv-specialty-windshields-side-glass/charter-bus-motor-coach/
Is this what you're looking for?
I got quotes from this outfit, not cheap but in line with others. https://www.motionwindows.com
Im sure I said this previously in another thread...ickes rv surplus in Montpelier ind has hundreds of windows for rv's in all sorts of shapes sizes and configurations. All new with multiples of each size available. Also have furniture and anything else rv related. 3 hour drive from Cincinnati
Thanks Gary, I just sent them an email, we'll see what they say.
I told 'em I wanted the replacement cartridges with the slider and screen, not interested in modifying the window opening.
Jim
As far as AC are concerned today I would go with mini splits. Two years ago we repaced the roof AC in the bedroom with 9000 BTU Pioneer mini split. Frist surprise was we use the heat pump more the the AC. Second it's quiet so we can sleep with it on at night. The third is low amp draw, we ran it on a 15 amp circuit. Yes it needs space in the bay but well worth it. Already have a second unit in the garage to replace the front roof AC. Changing the lead batteries in the bay to lithium in the coach. This gives me the room for the air conditioner condenser.
Post reply
Subject
Re: Windows in a Bus Conversion and/or Air Conditioning?
Message icon
Standard
p
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on April 29, 2026, 10:07:25 AMThanks Gary, I just sent them an email, we'll see what they say.
I told 'em I wanted the replacement cartridges with the slider and screen, not interested in modifying the window opening.
Jim
Quote from: silversport on April 29, 2026, 07:10:26 PMAs far as AC are concerned today I would go with mini splits. Two years
ago we repaced the roof AC in the bedroom with 9000 BTU Pioneer mini split. Frist surprise was we use the heat pump more the the AC. Second it's quiet so we can sleep with it on at night. The third is low amp draw, we ran it on a 15 amp circuit. Yes it needs space in the bay but well worth it. Already have a second unit in the garage to replace the front roof AC. Changing the lead batteries in the bay to lithium in the coach. This gives me the room for the air conditioner condenser.
You can buy the roof tops now with the inverter set up like the mini splits and save the bay space and the head inside the bus, they are 1 unit Kenny installed 3 in Prevost just plug and play and go,I did notice his roof top use a better grade of tubing and the fins were thicker, his are real quite I couldn't those running like most roof tops .I have always had ducted roof top with wall T-stasts to keep from dealing with the noise
Post reply
Subject
Re: Windows in a Bus Conversion and/or Air Conditioning?
Message icon
Standard
p
I wonder if I could get just the compressor and inverter for a mini-split? If I could get 12-18kbtu off a 115v 15amp line it'd make me pretty happy.
Jim
Quote from: silversport on April 29, 2026, 07:10:26 PMAs far as AC are concerned today I would go with mini splits. Two years ago we repaced the roof AC in the bedroom with 9000 BTU Pioneer mini split. Frist surprise was we use the heat pump more the the AC. Second it's quiet so we can sleep with it on at night. The third is low amp draw, we ran it on a 15 amp circuit. Yes it needs space in the bay but well worth it. Already have a second unit in the garage to replace the front roof AC. Changing the lead batteries in the bay to lithium in the coach. This gives me the room for the air conditioner condenser.
Post reply
Subject
Re: Windows in a Bus Conversion and/or Air Conditioning?
Message icon
Standard
p
I would love to be able to mount the compressor portion of a mini-split on the roof, have you found one that is low profile? I do like the idea of ducting on the roof, it would fit nicely below my elevated solar panels.
Quote from: freds on April 30, 2026, 02:03:05 PMI would love to be able to mount the compressor portion of a mini-split on the roof, have you found one that is low profile? I do like the idea of ducting on the roof, it would fit nicely below my elevated solar panels.
His are low profile and they made by Pioneer the mini split people, I have seen other manufactures, I saw some Greenland that were cheaper, seems to be a trend now roof tops with inverter compressor, the Greenland had variable cooling from 7500 btu to 15,000 btu these new roof tops use the new R-32 freon you need to watch buying the mini splits at bargains suppliers are dumping the older R-410 freon units that EPA is phasing out you won't be able to R-410 much longer, my understanding is the R-32 is lower pressure operating system than the 410 with better cooling and heat making the units less expensive to operate with lower amps draws, mini splits work for people I just never liked the cassette hanging from a wall and cutting holes for air flow to the outside unit
What's the latest amp draw on the 15,000 btu units?
Jim
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 01, 2026, 08:50:23 AMWhat's the latest amp draw on the 15,000 btu units?
A friend just bought 3- 13.500 btu H/P units, and I saw 8.3 to 11 amp on a sticker with the 3 speed fans, they do good on a 15 amp 110 V cord he is testing with.He is going run the units for a few days before removing his unit he is gun shy last year he installed a new Dometic and it was bad out of the box
Jim
Recently saw these 12v camper ac. Vague on specs.
https://a.co/d/01peTsDe
Quote from: bronson on May 02, 2026, 04:12:15 AMRecently saw these 12v camper ac. Vague on specs.
https://a.co/d/01peTsDe
After buying one for my Isuzu cabover don't waste the money
I haven't heard back from Ickes on the windows. Might have to call them. Gary, what do you figure the odds are of them having those slider window cartridges? I suspect they are kind of a specialty item.
Jim
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 04, 2026, 06:45:32 AMI haven't heard back from Ickes on the windows. Might have to call them. Gary, what do you figure the odds are of them having those slider window cartridges? I suspect they are kind of a specialty item.
Jim
They won't have a drop in for the MCI window frame installing different windows in the DL is no big deal unless the inside work is complete if that is the case it is work.From the floor up the DL is just mild steel square tubing a 4 in grinder and a cheap H/W wire welder gets the job done
Nope, not doing that. Somebody does make them, I was in communication with them last year, I'll just have to do a bit more research. Swapping out the cartridges is pretty easy, we did one last year that had a cracked window. I'm absolutely not messing with reframing the windows. I'd modify my own cartridges first.
Jim
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 05, 2026, 06:16:28 AMNope, not doing that. Somebody does make them, I was in communication with them last year, I'll just have to do a bit more research. Swapping out the cartridges is pretty easy, we did one last year that had a cracked window. I'm absolutely not messing with reframing the windows. I'd modify my own cartridges first.
A person has to do what funding allows but drop in for your frames you only can buy from Peninsula or In Motion and they are the same company Tom owns both. I had In Motion in my DL and Eagle but they were more $ 500.00 ea ( I bet shipping is over $200 now alone) and to me they were not that good, the spacing between the 2 glasses was so close they would still heat over time on a hot day and the screens sucked with the plastic clips breaking. At one time years ago Storm Tite out of Canada was a better choice but they stopped making the windows years ago. There is a Motion Window in LA Ca 328-293-9993 that make windows for RV and Marine use ,but the last time I checked they only sold the complete window made to your drawing ,you could call ask anyway I think they are both own by the same owners though since Tom sold part of the company for year you delt with Tom Kemp or his son Jeff
good luck
Jim
OK, That's what I was thinking of. Thanks. I'll have to look up their phone numbers or email. Probably should start with one or two windows so I can evaluate the quality but I do think this is the way I want to go on this. It's a pretty big outlay but done a couple at a time is manageable. I doubt I'd want to deal with a more intense install anyway.
My frame of reference is decades old RV and travel trailers so it's not a particularly high bar, and presently I'm using sticks to hold the windows tilted out and no screens. Can't see that gaining spousal approval.
Shipping is going to be costly, that's clear enough. Being at opposite ends of the country sorta does that.
I have posted a sticky note with the LA In-Motion number and the names.
Jim
I found this quote from last year, Motion/Peninsula in Vancouver. Looks like overall the windows from them would cost about a grand each. For that money I'd be tempted to make my own.
Jim
I just wonder if you could take the original tempered glass and cut it in half down the middle? What would it take to do that?
I'll need to look at it, if the seal around the glass is thick enough there may be room to put in plastic tracks above and below the glass and some sort of edge and/or end pieces so the two pieces would overlap a bit. Might not be that hard but I'd need a glass shop that is comfortable cutting tempered. Not sure there would be room for a sliding screen though.
Jim
Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 17, 2026, 06:06:55 AMI just wonder if you could take the original tempered glass and cut it in half down the middle? What would it take to do that?
I'll need to look at it, if the seal around the glass is thick enough there may be room to put in plastic tracks above and below the glass and some sort of edge and/or end pieces so the two pieces would overlap a bit. Might not be that hard but I'd need a glass shop that is comfortable cutting tempered. Not sure there would be room for a sliding screen though.
Jim
Most glass shops cut the glass and then temper the glass I never saw tempered glass cut before . Mowing the grass the mower pickup up a rock and threw and it now it is going to cost me a patio door glass, the price they are asking I can almost buy a new set of doors, $900.00 for a tempered door glass is crazy
Quote from: luvrbus on May 17, 2026, 07:23:34 AMMost glass shops cut the glass and then temper the glass I never saw tempered glass cut before . Mowing the grass the mower pickup up a rock and threw and it now it is going to cost me a patio door glass, the price they are asking I can almost buy a new set of doors, $900.00 for a tempered door glass is crazy
You may want to go the glass route after you price the door! :o
Quote from: dtcerrato on May 18, 2026, 05:34:56 AMYou may want to go the glass route after you price the door! :o
LOl I am going the glass route I priced the door at Lowes,when I purchased the doors 20 years ago they $1200.00 not now. It is a double pane I just thought 900 bucks for 1 broke pane was crazy
Sounds pretty crazy to me.
Decades ago I bought glass for a table top, cut to size, edges beveled, and tempered. A local glass shop supplied it, I never got to see how they did it. A quick search reveals it's a heating and quenching process, I'm frankly anazed that a local glass shop could do that. But maybe they special ordered it.
Which means of course, the existing glass could only be cut by extremely careful abrasive methods with a high risk of shattering. It appears it can be cut by annealing it first so a shop that can temper it can also cut it. That would be the preferred method. Don't think that could be used if there is any lamination or film.
Jim
I wonder how they put the EV and tint in the tempered glass the one the glass company cut to send off is just clear but he says it will come back with the same tint and EV as the other lol in 2 to 3 weeks
Dunno, what's EV again? I expect while the glass is hot they can hit it with a tinting agent of some kind. Maybe a spray. That would sort of explain the band of tint at the top of the old windshields.
Jim