I bought the MaxAir louvered covers and they provided a round rubber grommet atop a short (about 2" long) steel pin. I drilled a hole into the window frame (not an easy task as the drill chuck threatened the window glass) and dropped the pin in as directed. When I slid the window up to the "lock", the hole in the aluminum frame that I had just drilled into started to "rip" because the metal is so thin.
I remedied the situation by taking a 4" wide strip of vinyl lattice that I had lying around (1/8 inch thick plywood or masonite would do). I cut it just a bit longer than I needed, placed it in the window track and scribed the end that was to be rounded and marked the length, adding 1/4 in. to allow for what I was going to cut off at the rounded end.
Because it's 4 in wide it doesn't ride up the curve like the rod does. I prefer the vinyl lattice because there's no worry about contact with moisture as there would be with wood or other porous material, plus it doesn't look that bad when you see it from the outside.
Thanks for the advice and ideas. I found sliding window locks at Home Depot.Here's the link - see "window lock"
They clamp onto the edge of the window channel and are the "non-marring" style.
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
(2006 Ford E450 chassis)
If I want to leave something open for ventilation at home I just leave ceiling vent(s) open.
I figure if you have the window open a few inches someone would just cut the screen and stick their hand in and remove whatever lock you have in there wouldn't they? I'm not sure it would deter me much if I were trying to break in. With a ceiling vent I doubt they would fit through.
Happy camping!!!
New in 2008 - 2007 Jamboree 28F LOVE IT!!!
Me, SO, 2 Teens, 1 dog & 2 non-camping cats
i drilled 1/8 holes in the tracks and put in cotter pins so the window will only slide several inches for ventilation. then hooked the pins to one of the track screws with monofilament so as not to lose them.
Remember: "Its Not The deal You Got, Its The Deal You Think You Got"
'08 Windsport 33 followed by 2000 Saturn
BC1 wrote: If I want to leave something open for ventilation at home I just leave ceiling vent(s) open.
I figure if you have the window open a few inches someone would just cut the screen and stick their hand in and remove whatever lock you have in there wouldn't they? I'm not sure it would deter me much if I were trying to break in. With a ceiling vent I doubt they would fit through.
I leave the ceiling vents open which helps some. With the window lock that clamps onto the window frame track, I can leave the window open only a couple of inches - not enough to stick a hand/arm through.
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
(2006 Ford E450 chassis)
cm wrote: "It is not something I would do all the time. But for example, when you are parked at a trail head, everyone knows you are nowhere near the RV. Many break-in's occur at trail head parking lots."
It may make you feel better but the reality is that if you are at a remote trail head they will just smash out the window and still get what they want. Look at the ground at the remote trail heads and you will usually see the small bits of glass from busted windows.
I've seen the glass chips too. I know what you're saying. I'm thinking only of a deterrent. It would force them to bust out a window and getting cut up when climbing in.
Last year my brother had his car broken into while back packing in a national forest in Washington state. They stole everything.....even his dirty laundry. The officer who took down the report said it's the locals supporting their drug habits.
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