400, to replace it was in excess of 800 ! Again VOLVOVANNER was right the opening in the roof is 400X400 so may be able to get a non HOBBY replacement. Years ago they were often made from transparent orange plastic, which gave a really nice light inside the caravan; but for a numberof years now theyve been made from a white translucent plastic, and are usually double-skinned. A small flat-blade screwdriver or sharp knife. Refit the skylight and remove excess sealant with . But the two have no problem, as Amanda also loves camping. 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. US $75 CARAVAN 08-10 This switch has been tested before removal TOWN & COUNTRY 08-10. Now that we have established all the necessary tools and the process on how to replace an RV skylight, its likely that you can now do it by yourself. The website owner accepts no liability for false, inaccurate or incomplete information. Make sure that you are holding the roof skin gently to avoid any tears and slits. Looked again Gordon no evidence of any plastic caps. Then the screws holding the floor track end were removed and the slug and broken wire pulled out. Please also be aware, hortoncommon.co.uk is a participant in affiliate programs for Webgains Ltd, Awin Ltd and the Amazon EU Associates Programme. Final question to you guys, does anyone know of a HOBBY breaker/dismantler in the UK. Then use your putty knife again to scrape up any excess sealant. So below Ill focus on a roof light I know is fitted to quite a few caravans and motorhomes which people struggle to clean, the MPK Vision Vent M Pro. There is very little 'sticking area' along the edge plastic frame. We're happy with the techniques and products we use, but be sure to confirm that all methods and materials you use are compatible with your equipment and abilities. I've used a "dovetail" type shape by overlaying the two pieces of tape, cutting the shape and removing opposite parts, so that it fits together. You can easily remove the skylight once the seal is broken from all sides. Generally, the inner trim is compromised on two parts; the flyscreen and the blind. The problem is the bit in the middle on some roof lights. Have attached photos hopefully somebody can help. % of people told us that this article helped them. Now that we have removed all the old sealants and the screws holding the old skylight dome, you are now ready to remove it. Cut out the hole. I notice new parts for HOBBY are a horrendous price. But our opinions are our own, you wont pay an extra penny, and we only link to products we personally use, love and can recommend to friends with complete confidence.Comments welcome! It offers the additional luminosity you need. The benefit of having a pop top caravan is that it makes them a bit easier to store. Once youve got there, you should break the mastic seal by working your way around the base of the rooflight assembly using a wide, flat blade. Once you've done that the out section should lift free allowing you to clean all the old mastic off. Methylated spirits, isopropanol or acetone can denature acrylic plastic causing microcracks to form. How to Remove and Clean a Roof Light So the first part of the roof light you will probably want to clean is the fly screen. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk. 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. We hope our experience can help others go DIY, saving time \u0026 money, plus the satisfaction of a job well done.We're handy RVers, not professional technicians. That looks like a smaller version of the one over our kitchen unit. Once youre happythat the roof is cleanenough, cut fourlengths of the newmastic sealing strip andplace them along theedges of the rooflight aperture, overlapping the corners; make sure thatthere are no gaps underneath where the strips overlap by pressing one strip onto theother. The skylight shade should be attached to the roof with screws either visible on the face or hidden in the rails for the pleated blind. Take care not to poke the skylight with the pole or scrub too hard. In this video we show you how to remove & separate an MPK vision vent which we thought was called a Heki roof light for cleaning. Common sense isn't a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it. Once the screw caps are removed, identify the type of screws. MPK roof lights come in a wide range including the Vision Series which there is an example of in the video below. In addition to this, ensure that you are going to purchase the accurate size. Step 2: Considering carefully the available RV skylight dome's size. At 75, the new unit is not cheap, but its design means you'll benefit from better ventilation and natural light. What is the best way to reseal a skylight? He also abraded the sealant channels around the flanges on the new rooflights very slightly (to aid adhesion) before cleaning thoroughly and then refitting. So the first part of the roof light you will probably want to clean is the fly screen. Now, unless you are into DIY its likely you wont have a set of Torx screwdrivers lying around to remove your roof vent. With the inner trim removed, youll see the four metal clips that hold the unit in place. To do this, apply a layer of clear caulk over the crack.There are also products on the market meant specifically for skylights that do the same thing. December 1, 2018 in Hobby Caravans. . Both Dometic and MPK have lots of PDF documents on fitting and user manual instructions on each of their roof lights. I've started a new website about electric tow cars which you may want to check out to see what your options are/will be for towing a caravan with an electric car. In our example (pictured right), this piece contained the blind and flyscreen, so if youre planning to reuse them its worth giving them a quick clean. You may use your scraper, shear, or a putty knife to take away all old sealant. 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. In many instances, they dont use flat, Philips or Pozi screws. Update your browser to view this website correctly. .. As the rooflight is something that could be damaged and you would then have to replace it, I'd use a non-setting mastic, I have a lot of faith in Hodgsons sealants their Seamseal CV would be my choicehttps://hodgsonsealants.com/product-range/mastics/seamseal-cv/, Paul B By Nigel Hutson Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Caravan Maintenance How To Replace A Caravan Skylight. Most caravans and motorhomes have at least one roof light fitted, sometimes also referred to as a skylight. He loves RVing that he spends most of his time in his recreational vehicle and on the road. Well got stuck into my sunlight over the w/end (between showers). AdviceGeneral Advice. 1) Use a flat screwdriver to release top corner of fly screen. This is the MPK Vision Vent M Pro roof light fitted to many caravans and motorhomes. There are many videos for pop up windowsbut none detail the HOBBY. If they are lights I've just checked them on our 'van and if you remove the covers you should see screws holding it to the roof. 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. You can get this sealing strip from any store that deals in caravan repair parts. Make sure the four black rubber washers are correctly seated before you replace the covers. Hence, you are less likely to slip/strip and damage the screw head. kippamip 52 subscribers Subscribe 13K views 3 years ago A. Step 1: Clean the roof of all moss, mould, lichen and any other objects that have gathered. Do they slide out, or are there clips. Secure The Vent To The Roof. 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. Why do caravans leak? Published: January 11, 2016. Silicone sealant will stop anything sticking to it. Ensure that you retrieve both the screws and washers. After removing the previous dirty or broken skylight, remove the old mastic properly. Is the roof Aluminium structure. Except when sleeping, Arthur cannot keep camping out his mind. Home Do this in several locations around the window frame and rely on the smallest measurement once again as your final dimension. Of course you'll need a brand-new replacement skylight too. The Phantom. The reason to shift from transparent orange plastic to double skinned white translucent plastic was to enhance plastic. This video is on how to remove a Dodge Caravan TIPM Totally Integrated Power Module Fuse Box (2008 - 2020)Check out the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.. While the double skin is better for ventilation it means that you wont get a cold shower from dripping condensationfirst thing in the morning the skins arent sealed, and the area between the layers can become very dirty. Also advice for the cracks where the bolts are also appreciated! I didn't know that, but treaded very carefully spreading my weight as much as possible. White spirit and a cloth. Step 2: Lift all lap joins and apply an MS sealer between them (not over them). VOLVOVANNER was right skylight cosmetic cover is secured with a ball & socket configuration that pulls away with a little effort. 5 stone it's belt and braces. My Hobby 540 even has a ladder and roof bars. There is the Heki 2, 3, Plus, Delux, Mini, Micro and Midi. If parts of the roof light are still dirty you could try a bit of caravan cleaner detergent, something thats not too abrasive. Some roof lights to provide ventilation are produced from two pieces of plastic/acrylic with an air gap between the two and vents. However, if things get too difficult for you, it is always best to ask for a helping hand. 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. The next two stages are probably the hardest. As long as you remove the excess, don't worry about getting it all. Use regular dish soap without ammonia or specialty cleaning chemicals, as these chemicals will nearly always destroy a plastic skylight or the film over glass skylights. Once youre happy thatthe parts are no longer dirty, you can reassemble them. What I do want to discuss now is cleaning the roof light. Step 5: Remove the window from the outside. They frequently use whats called Torx head screws. 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 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. 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 Hence, you shouldnt just use any cleaning agent. Therefore, thats what Ill discuss in this post. But looking now for the correct sealant & a replacement window winder (photos attached). You can also use the same if its dirt and have the brush slightly wet - but not too wet (wet the brush and then shake the water off) so that it runs down inside your window frame - inside is a felt strip which runs the width of your window and works the mesh screen from the top downwards and the blinds upwards - don't get water onto the felt Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Started 1 hour ago, By Learn more. Once theyre seen, you may unfasten the screws with a screwdriver. I discuss this topic briefly in how not to clean your caravan but more so in my post on how to remove window scratches. As noted in the video, its likely youll have to use various sizes of Torx screwdrivers. Had to remove skylight lid by drilling out pop rivets to really get all silicone. Domestic produce a huge range of items found in caravans and motorhomes. Optional: Remove the light covers from each side, just by twisting them by hand. This venting principle works well. After removing the inner trim, you will see that four metal clips hold the remaining structure. How to Completely Remove, Repair, Clean & Replace a Leaking Caravan Roof SkyLight Vent & Surround The McNeills on Wheels 7.9K views 10 months ago I Stopped Resealing My RV Roof & Did This. It would be best if you use a plastic knife to avoid damaging the roofing membrane of your camper van. You will find most of these tools in your household tool kit except the mastic sealing strip. So, the first thing was to release the eye bolt at the distribution block by undoing the securing nut. You can also use a long broom or a dry mop for this if you don't want to get your rag dirty before using it to wash the skylight. If it's stuck, use a flat blade to carefully pry it out by levering around the edges. The easy part is now over. 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. Description of how to remove a caravan window. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Once you remove those screws it should pull down and out. A Crosshead screwdriver. I've seen two women standing on a Hobby roof washing it! ADD TO CART. Graham over 70 Will check again a little closer this time:). What or how are your covers held on? For this, take the measurements of all four sides of the skylight compartment. 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. Dirt and insects can get trapped inside this roof light: Image Amazon.co.uk. Return inside the caravan and replace the trim, beforesecuring it with the four screws. Hence, if you visit Amazon/Caravan Guard through one of our links and decide to purchase a product we receive a small commission with no additional cost to you. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Just make sure the mop is completely clean and hasn't been used recently or you'll just end up making the skylight dirtier. Make sure that all traces of the old sealant, dirt etc are removed by using a plastic scraper, a fridge scraper or windscreen scraper would be ideal. We will see how you can determine the right location and provide a step-by-step guide on . These dont need to be removed completely, but they do need to be loose enough so that you can turn them out of the way. When you use a different sealant MAKE SURE you use silicone sealant remover extensively. A dry mop is a great alternative for this, as it absorbs water extremely well. Carefully pull to remove complete screen. Thanks for watching! Due to such reasons, manufacturers introduced double-layered skylights in the caravans. So after reading this post, as stated above find and check the manual for your specific roof light. I often stood on my Hobby(s) roof until old age took over. Ensure your skylight's weather stripping is in good condition - replace it if necessary. Apply pressure on the edges and corners of the skylight so that it is completely sealed. If an inner trim comes with the new skylight panel, congratulations; otherwise, simply clean the previous one and place it back. Skylight is one of the great features an RV can offer. Everyone was right you can walk on the roof of a HOBBY. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. However, at the time of writing that post, there was something I wanted to discuss but forgot to. Using the rag tied to a long pole, gently sweep away any obvious dust, cobwebs, and other dry debris that you don't need soap and water to remove. https://hodgsonsealants.com/product-range/mastics/seamseal-cv/. Over time, though, they can become cloudy and won't let in as much light. Decades ago, the skylights were made up of orange plastic or glass. So go on, ring the changes - have a look through our selection and freshen up your caravan kitchen or bathroom. But I appreciate its not the easiest or simplest job to do when cleaning a caravan or motorhome. It is a square small skylight as you describe. 2023 Practical Caravan is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. To access the skylight from the upper side, you will have to climb onto the roof of your caravan. Then you move to the top and carefully remove the old skylight by breaking the seal. With these removed, the covers should simply lift off. Any dust particles left on the surface of the skylight can affect the sealing process. Now, I do quite a bit of DIY and I use Torx head screws for certain projects. Water was flowing down through the screw holes. Canister vacuum cleaner for home use. If you have a \"catwalk\" roughened roof surface like we do in some areas, you probably won't be able to get all the old sealant off. For this, lay on the top instead of standing to do the job. As I discussed at the top of this post, when cleaning the roof of a caravan or motorhome you will be cleaning part of the roof light. Removed the four brackets & then proceeded to the roof. Cleaning Skylights from the Inside Download Article 1 Wipe the skylight with a dry rag to get rid of loose dust and debris. .. Thanks I wont be using oven cleaner on my delicate white screens. Once the seal has been broken all the way around, the rooflight unit should simply lift out of the way. Pop-up rooflights have been fitted in caravans for a long time. To create a comfortable and safe habitation area in a caravan and motorhome ventilation is important. That way, you wont leave mineral deposits behind on your skylights. By following these steps, you can easily replace a caravan skylight in no time. Details about 2008-2010 Dodge Caravan Town Country Left Master Power Window Switch 68039999AC. So, in the simplest terms, dont use methylated spirits, isopropanol or acetone to clean a caravan/motorhome roof light. They will also need to have long reach tips: Image Amazon.co.uk. Below are the things that can help you in replacing your RV skylight quickly. Remove all dirt, moisture, leaves and any other debris that has settled around the flashing, unwittingly creating a dam for condensation and water to seep indoors. Fits both the 600 x 600 and 90. Powrtouch AWD Movers. Ratherthan over-stretching, I released one side then worked on the other from the opposite side. I hope you found this post useful and its given you some direction on how to approach cleaning your roof light. Replacing a caravan skylight is one of the simplest DIY projects. Smartrving is reader-supported. Share on Pinterest. An RV Skylight is a panel placed on top of the roof of your RV. Mastic seal is bound to the base of the roof, so be very careful; otherwise, you will end up damaging the roof. It allows us to savor the beauty of nature the world has to offer. 3. Concern is now how to scaffold around van so I can get access to top of roof. A small brush helped us to access the gaps between the vent slots. Take a look in our shop.Caravan tarpaulin full garage 610x225x220cmFeatures:Breathable 4-layer textile fabric inside paint-friendly (thorough cleaning of the caravan is recommended before fitting the tarpaulin)No condensationUV and temperature-resistantHighly durableAdjustable by hem and strap fastenings. The skylight is then secured to the roof panel by four aluminium brackets. Ilrides, you have walked on the roof of your HOBBY WOW. The windows is made up as follows -. With years, the mastic becomes grippy, and removing it becomes a challenging task. Now, even if this is not the model of roof light fitted to your caravan or motorhome, the process of removing and taking apart your roof light will probably be similar. Have searched the web for videos showing how to remove. By following these steps and a little assistance, you can easily replace a caravan skylight yourself. Hopefully this will seal up the van and allow the inside to dry out, when I can then take stock of the damage done. It doesnt matter whether the rooflightis open or closed for this. Ref. Might try that as there are two stock car rally venues withing 40 mile radius. However, you must be careful not to damage the roof. 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 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. Horton Common features five hard standing fully serviced pitches for caravans and motorhomes. The amount of force should not be tremendous as it can break the seal. While up there I noticed a corner missing from the lid on the light over the en-suite but this roof is not leaking. Now, if you have had stubborn greasy marks on glass before you may have used either methylated spirits, isopropanol or acetone. Most of the tools required in this process are pretty simple and are easily found in every household kit. Ensure that the replacement is centered on your roof. Bit of a fiddle, but worth it. You dont want the humidity to be too low or too high. A Detailed Guide, How to Remove an RV Slide Out? You now have a new pop-up rooflight on your caravan. In most cases, these skylights are double layered. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH.