Promaster front door windows

booster · 06-29-2015, 08:38 PM

I had to go the welding store for some stuff today, and saw more Promasters than I think I have seen total before today.

When I was sitting at a stoplight next to the first one that I saw, I noticed the front door window setup for the first time. Two windows, looked like only the rear one opened, with a very wide divider support with a bunch of blackout on the edges of the glass. Don't know why I never noticed it before. The other ones I saw were similar, but on some the divider looked narrower, or at least less visible.

For those with Promasters, does the setup block any view or limit fresh air from the window? It looked like it might block the mirror a bit depending on where the seat was set.

gerrym51 · 06-29-2015, 09:04 PM

i have a zion promaster. it isi as you described. i never noticed any issues. I measured the window part that opens(for another reason) and it is 15 inches -still plenty

wincrasher · 06-30-2015, 02:39 PM

Mr. Bonz thinks it's adequate.

Davydd · 06-30-2015, 03:05 PM

Kind of begs for the old fashion crank open window vents.

AK49er · 06-30-2015, 03:26 PM

x2 on what Davydd said.

stanw909 · 07-01-2015, 07:44 AM

I love my wind wings on my 96 Dodge.

bobojay · 07-01-2015, 05:44 PM

Just a side note. Was out and about yesterday driving across town and back. Saw 14 Transits, all commercial with markings etc. (had to start counting after I saw 4 real quick)
Saw 1 Sprinter FedEx van, VERY dirty, and 2 Promaster vans, (definitely standout)

Having ridden in a PM, I really like the window setup in the doors, not to mention those great mirrors! Too bad the wing windows don't open either power or manual. I used to like flipping them open and having them directing the wind right to me on cooler days

eric1514 · 07-01-2015, 07:00 PM

The window that moves doesn't travel all the way down. That's a little disappointing the first time you find that out.

For me, the bigger issue is that they should have mounted the passenger mirror a little higher by about 2 inches. As it is, the driver mirrors are great but I can only use about 2/3s of the lower passenger mirror as it is obscured by the van body looking out those vent windows.

Davydd · 07-01-2015, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric1514

The window that moves doesn't travel all the way down. That's a little disappointing the first time you find that out.

Are you serious? I don't know how many times I have had to lean out a window to fully reach an ATM, a ticket grab or pay box. That would be a show stopper for me.

wincrasher · 07-01-2015, 07:08 PM

It sticks up an inch or so above the frame. But it's below the level of your arm rest. Toll booths and such are not an issue.

bobojay · 07-01-2015, 07:29 PM

Never been able to reach any ATM or standard toll booth from our Sprinters. Always have to use the upper toll ticket dispenser, or reach down to hand the money to the live body standing there.
The PM side window issue is a non-starter as the van/cutaway cab is lower to begin with

eric1514 · 07-01-2015, 07:37 PM

The window not going all the way down is really a non issue. I've had to retrieve tickets for parking twice now, you know, so that the guard raises and you can proceed, and it's easier in the ProMaster than trying to do it in my Silverado pickup truck.

Davydd · 07-01-2015, 08:05 PM

I think you are all rationalizing and compensating in regard to the window. Any front door window that will not go all the way down and especially is sticking up one stinking inch is just plain bad design and engineering. It is not common. I've never owned a vehicle where the driver's window did not go all the way down. I've known of back seat windows that have done that but not front seats.

Bob, You made my point. I can reach an ATM and ticket but admit I have to unbuckle my seat belt and sometimes contort with my chest across the window sill when I misjudge and don't get close enough but I get it done. You can't do that with the glass edge sticking up. Makes a case against small Class Cs that push you out another 8" or so as annoying design as well.

eric1514 · 07-01-2015, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davydd

..Bob, You made my point. I can reach an ATM and ticket but admit I have to unbuckle my seat belt and sometimes contort with my chest across the window sill when I misjudge and don't get close enough but I get it done. ..

But I didn't have to do any of that to park at the airport or proceed in to a campground. I just reached out the window. You can continue to think that only MB should be making vans.

bobojay · 07-01-2015, 09:01 PM

Part of it David is that the PM window opening itself goes down further than the Sprinter, or Transit for that matter does. The shape of the door is dictated by the front wheel housing that looks like this ), sorta, kinda, so the door itself is not squared off at the lower front. That window can't go down any further.

Obviously in this case, the engineering got precedence over the comfort and styling. It's not a big deal in any case

Jostalli · 07-01-2015, 09:42 PM

Perhaps we should ask some folks in Europe what they think of the window. I would assume they don't mind it as the Fiat Ducato is the base vehicle of about two thirds of all motorhomes in the European market.

Davydd · 07-01-2015, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric1514

But I didn't have to do any of that to park at the airport or proceed in to a campground. I just reached out the window. You can continue to think that only MB should be making vans.

Where the **** did I say only MB should be making vans? Transit? Chevy? What do they do? 99% of vehicles on the American roads? What do they do? I'll say it again. Bad design and bad engineering if you can't start out with a clean sheet of paper and create what is conventional to do and that is to roll down clear of the opening. What is positive in the way it doesn't roll all the way down? I know of one but I doubt anyone could guess it.

Jostalli,

As to what Europeans accept in regard to the window, that is the classic McDonalds hamburger argument.

Jostalli · 07-01-2015, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davydd

Jostalli,

As to what Europeans accept in regard to the window, that is the classic McDonalds hamburger argument.

Many of the large European motorhome brands will build van conversions, coach builds or class A's that are virtually the same except one may be on a Ducato and one may be on a Sprinter or Transit.

wincrasher · 07-01-2015, 11:35 PM

I think that if people who actually OWN and USE the vans think it's not a big deal, then it's NOT a big deal.

tgregg · 07-02-2015, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davydd

I've never owned a vehicle where the driver's window did not go all the way down. I've known of back seat windows that have done that but not front seats.

I owned a Jaguar XKE 2+2 once that windows stuck up above the doors 2 inches when rolled down. The doors from the Coupe were too short to hold the taller glass of the 2+2.

Now I have a Promaster and don't think it's a problem at all. Nice view from the tall windows that don't fit in the short doors.

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