As a proud owner of a recreational vehicle, one of the best investments you can make is to purchase an RV skylight. Also known as travel trailer skylight, these simple accessories can bring you several benefits. Skylights, starting from enjoying natural light to making your RV more spacious and welcoming, can do it all!
Thus, we have tested several RV skylights available on the market. Reviewed below are ten of our favorite RV skylights along with a buying guide and several other information that we think you might find handy when purchasing or replacing your RV skylight!
Best RV Skylights
First, let us look into the ten RV skylights that we highly recommend. These tried and true products are set to last you for years and impress you from the get-go!
1. Sun-Tek Mobile Home Skylight
From the manufacturer's famous PolyDome Skylight line, this sapphire dome-shaped RV skylight is a crowd favorite. The shape adds a modern touch to recreational vehicles and allows natural sunlight to seep into the car for a more spacious look and feel. It is also a very economical but durable choice.
The skylight made from some of the best resin available is 250 times more impact resistant than glass skylights and 30 times more impact resistant than acrylic skylights. This quality makes the product a perfect choice for campers and those who love taking their RVs out for a spin despite the weather conditions.
Speaking of weather conditions, get ready to go on an RV trip, whether it is melting hot or cold, because this skylight can take it all. Incredibly resistant to temperatures, the product can withstand from -60 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit without breaking a sweat. UV stabilization also boosts the durability of the product.
The skylight is made from the same material as airplane windows. This product is set to last you for a long, long time. It is also effortless to install, making it an excellent pick for novice handymen or those not looking to involve a professional in the process. Trust us; this is not an investment you will regret making!
2. RecPro RV Skylight 14"x22" Camper Skylight
Our next RV skylight of choice comes in two color options - clear or white. These choices allow you to purchase your skylight according to the ambiance you want to set in your mobile home. It is made of polycarbonate thermoform.
The skylight provides excellent transparency to serve its purpose without skimping out on durability.
Heavy duty in nature, the skylight is resistant to all sorts of impact, making it an excellent choice for all road conditions and all-weather circumstances. You can easily take your RV out on longer trips without worrying about the skylight giving up on you halfway through.
The skylight is enormously easy to install in addition to being very precise in measurement. Accurate measurement is a crucial feature of suitable skylights - it ensures that you don't make incorrect cuts into the ceiling of your RV. Thus, an accurately measured skylight is one we cannot recommend enough!
To protect your polycarbonate thermoform skylight, ensure that you are not using harsh cleaning chemicals or ammonia to clean the product. This kind of cleaning product can damage the surface and lead to premature degradation of the skylight.
With good, yet simple maintenance, these skylights will last you for countless RV trips.
3. Class A Customs Premium Heavy Duty RV Camper Trailer Skylight
Before we review our next product, we would like to assure you that the 'premium' in the product's name is well earned - and you should keep it in your list of considerations despite the more massive price tag. The durability and quality of the RV skylight make it worth every penny!
This particular skylight comes in 3 different color options - clear, white, and smoke. You can make your pick depending on how much natural light you want to have come into your mobile home.
Compared to standard RV skylights, this particular model is made from 50% stronger material. This substance makes the skylight impact resistant, meaning it will not scratch or shatter upon sudden impact.
Additionally, the flange comes with pre-drilled holes, making installation extremely simple. You will not even have to get professional help to get the job done. With three different options to choose from, you'd be hard-pressed to come across a sturdier skylight. We highly recommend this product!
4. ICON 01858 RV Skylight
The next RV skylight on our list is a sleek domed model that suits any RV style without appearing too bulky. Made of polycarbonate material, the skylight is impressively impacted resistant, which means it is guaranteed not to shatter or scratch upon impact, no matter how strong or sudden.
This skylight is available in three color options - transparent, translucent white, and smoke. All three options do a great job of allowing natural light to seep into your RV; however, the option you choose will significantly affect the mood and atmosphere of your travel home.
The dimension of the dome is at 22" x 30" x 4". As for the flange, the dimension is 26" x 34". Additionally, the flange comes with guides to use as mounting holes, making installation very simple and beginner-friendly.
Moreover, the polycarbonate is UV resistant. This prevents the material from cracking, staining, or generally deteriorating due to UV exposure and prevents harmful UV rays from entering the RV. This one is a perfect product for those looking for a no-nonsense, straightforward RV skylight.
5. Specialty Recreation K1422ELP
Further down our list, we have yet another durable and top-notch RV skylight made of polycarbonate thermoform. This high-performing material makes the skylight very long-lasting - you are guaranteed to be able to take your RV out of countless trips before you have to think about replacement.
The skylight comes in various sizes, and you will almost certainly find an option to replace the manufacturer's original equipment. Additionally, the part is straightforward to install - once you are done, you will not distinguish from the original!
Polycarbonate thermoform is a material that is very easy to clean, acting as a huge bonus. After all, who wants to put elbow grease into cleaning their skylight when they are out on an RV trip?
Your purchase will include one skylight, one inner garnish, and one tube of urethane sealant. Perfect for recreational vehicles, the unit can be used for the general area or the shower to enjoy natural sunlight during your trips!
6. ICON 01866 RV Skylight
We would like to recommend the next product that works beautifully as an RV shower skylight. This model comes in a neo-angle domed shape, meaning it fits perfectly into the corners of your ceiling. As RV showers are mostly located in corners, this skylight is fantastic if you want to enjoy natural light in the shower.
Made of the widely popular polycarbonate material, this RV skylight is ultimately impact-resistant. The sudden impact will not leave a scratch on this, let alone shatter it. Additionally, it is also UV resistant, meaning prolonged UV exposure will not enter the RV or ruin the material's strength or aesthetics in any way.
The flange on this model has a dimension of 28" x 15" and comes with drilling hole guides for installation. Furthermore, the overall dome has dimensions of 24" x 12" x 4". As for other skylights from this manufacturer, it is effortless to install.
This product comes in four different color options: clear, white, smoke, and dark smoke. The options range from being able to see the stars to letting in just enough light to eliminate the need for bulbs. There's something for everyone!
7. Bri-Rus SL1414W
Moving along, we have a square skylight. This model's opening dimension is 14" x 14" with the flange dimensions at 17" x 17". With this model, simplicity is the key. It will help add beautiful natural daylight to your RV and liven up space.
The skylight comes with drilled holes on the flange for easy installation. With some necessary tools, you can complete the installation process all by yourself.
A remarkable characteristic of the thermoformed polycarbonate material is that it is straightforward to clean - you won't have to employ chemicals or expensive cleaning products for maintenance.
Moreover, the product comes with care instructions that you can follow to boost the longevity of your travel trailer skylight and get the most out of it. This particular model comes in three different colors - white, clear, and smoked.
You can pick from these options according to your personal preference and add a personalized touch to your RV! Even though the design does not give it away, this skylight packs quite the punch and is set to stun!
8. ICON 01981 Single Pane Exterior Skylight
The next product on our list is a component of a total skylight unit - the inner dome. This thing helps you get the best out of your skylight with its features.
Firstly, the inner dome acts as a generous additional layer of insulation. Insulation prevents too much heat from entering warm climates and stops heat from leaving the RV during winter.
Moreover, the inner dome reduces or nearly eliminates skylight condensation, which can ruin the caulking. If the caulking gets destroyed, it can lead to leaking and other problems. Many RV owners often confuse condensations for leaks.
Made of high impact molded ABS, the inner dome is exceptionally durable. It is crucial to look for durability in all the components of a skylight. Impact-resistant and made of high quality, this inner dome will withstand sudden shocks and the outer skylight.
This unit is also very lightweight, weighing between 1 and 2 lbs. The weight adds to the ease of installation and makes this one of the easiest to set up. If you are looking for a simple yet excellent inner dome to complete your set up, look no further!
9. BriRus K1422WLP White Low Profile Single Pane Exterior Skylight Kit
As we're nearing the end of our recommendations, we'd like to recommend a one-stop solution for all of your RV skylight replacement needs. This kit comes with one skylight, one inner garnish, and one sealant - that pretty much sums up all the equipment needed for a complete skylight job.
The parts in the kit are made of thermoformed polycarbonate, which makes it extremely durable. Polycarbonate creates impact-resistant products, and these skylights can put up a fight against impact in any weather condition.
Like all other polycarbonate skylights, the parts in this kit are also elementary to clean. In case of dust, dirt, or grime build-up, all you need to do is use a washcloth and mild soap to wash the stains away. Due to the durability of the material, long term blemishes are unlikely to build up.
With this complete skylight kit, you can complete the entire process without any help from a professional. Thus, the investment is entirely worth it. The skylight provides a factor in the aesthetic values and functionality, and there's an offer you can't refuse!
10. Specialty Recreation N14422 RV Trailer Camper Skylight Inner Garnish
We are wrapping up our list with a product that will help you bring your whole skylight project together - a beautiful inner garnish. For skylights that do not come with an inner garnish, you can use this product as additional gear to have a complete skylight unit.
The measurements on this product are standard, meaning it will fit all traditional skylights and openings. You do not have to worry about investing in a misfit with this inner garnish.
Additionally, the inner garnish is made of the same durable polycarbonate as the most useful quality skylights. This means that the garnish, too, is impact resistant and very stable in general. Moreover, it is easy to clean and maintain.
The kit comes with free sealant and instructions for installation - and you know we love products that do not require the added hassle of hiring (and spending on!) a professional. Thus, this is one of the skylight products that we highly recommend and think will add to the value of your RV much!
How to Measure RV Skylight?
Getting the right measurement is perhaps an essential part of purchasing an RV skylight or RV skylight replacement. Thus, it is crucial to know how to carry out the measures for skylights.
Choosing the Location
Firstly, you have to choose where you want to place your RV skylight. Some recreational vehicles have pre-made provisions for skylights for which you can buy readily available skylights. If your RV does not have such a provision, you will have to invest some more time and effort in the process.
The most popular areas for skylights are the shower, or the front of the vehicle as these areas have the least wiring. Not unlike a traditional home, recreational vehicles also have a lot of wiring within the ceiling. Thus, ensure that you do not cut through them.
How Big Should the Skylight Be?
For existing provisions, you can simply measure the opening to find a skylight that fits the provision. You can get a custom-made skylight to match the measurements correctly. If you are looking to spend significantly less, you can opt for ready-made options. Most manufacturers have options that fit pre-made provisions.
If you have to cut into the ceiling of your RV, look into readily available sizes and opt for one that best suits the size of your trailer home. As we all know by now, bigger does not always mean better. If you set up a skylight that is too big, you will run into several problems that we will discuss later in the article.
How to Buy an RV Skylight?
Even though skylights are a seemingly straightforward product, many thought must go into making the purchase decision. The wrong skylight can cost you hundreds in repairs in addition to the price you are already paying.
Budget
The very first step of buying the best RV skylight for you is to fix your budget. If you are willing to spend a sizeable amount for your skylight, you can always opt for high-end ready-made skylights or even get them custom made.
For those looking to stay within a tight budget, there are several high-quality and budget-friendly options available for you to purchase. If you want to save on installation, too, opt for easy to install models for which you don't need professional help.
Material
You obviously would not want your skylight to be made cheaply. Thus, ensure that it is made from a suitable material. Polycarbonate thermoform is a trendy choice for skylights. It is several folds stronger than acrylic skylights.
Resistance
Ensure that the skylight is resistant to sudden impact and temperature extremes. This allows it to stay intact in all weather conditions - and who knows what weather you may have to encounter during your trips?
Style
Skylights are also available in several styles. You may opt for the traditional dome-shaped skylight or go for options such as the RV opening skylight. Even though unconventional skylights such as the RV opening skylight will cost you more, it pays off almost instantly in aesthetics.
Shape
Skylights can, most popularly, be squared, rectangular, or neo angled. The shape you choose will depend on an available area and the location of the skylight. Pro tips: neo-angled ones work perfectly as RV shower skylight!
Size
Again, the size of your skylight will depend on the pre-made provision or the area available on your roof to cut through. Too big of a skylight may let in too much heat or cold - too small, and it may not even let the ample sunlight come in. Choose wisely!
Color
RV skylights usually come in two to four color options, the most popular ones being clear or smoky tinted. The choice will depend on your personal preference and how much sunlight you want seeping into your vehicle.
UV Stabilization
Exposure to UV rays can quickly impact the material of RV skylights are made with. They can stain, become hazy or crack and shatter too. Buy a UV stabilized RV skylight to avoid such issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have unanswered questions? Answered below are some answers to asked questions regarding RV skylight!
1. How can I clean my skylight?
All it takes to clean polycarbonate skylights effectively is a mild soap, warm water, and a washcloth - it's that simple! Avoid using ammonia and other harsh cleaning agents as it can ruin the temperature and UV stabilization, and the strength of the material.
2. How much does RV skylight replacement cost?
It is difficult to provide a perfect range as the amount will depend on the price of the parts you purchase, any repairs you may have to invest in, and professional service charges. Keeping all these things in mind, a mid-range RV skylight replacement job should cost you between US$500 US$1500.
3. Do RV skylights leak?
No, skylights are not supposed to leak unless it is not fastened well enough, or the unit itself has cracks or holes.
4. Can I use my skylight as an emergency exit?
This is one of the most significant advantages of having an RV skylight. In cases of emergency, you can use it as an exit point if the conventional exit points are jammed or non-functional for whatever reason. RV opening skylight works better for such cases.
5. How do I deal with a leaky RV skylight?
The first step is to ensure that you are not mistaking condensation for a leak. Condensation is very likely to occur mostly in rainy or humid climates and RV shower skylight specifically. Secondly, check for gaps in fastening and caulking. If there seems to be a gap in caulking, simply apply more sealant.
In case the caulking seems alright, check holes or cracks in the skylight itself. If you do find such defects, you will have to replace the skylight unit entirely.
Final WordsWe hope you found our little guide informative and helpful. With the right RV skylight, you will enjoy your vehicle a lot more than before. So, purchase the perfect skylight and hit the road for the perfect trip!