Temporary Fix for a Cracked RV Window

The best temporary fix for a cracked RV window is clear packing tape applied to both the inside and outside of the damage on a clean, dry surface — it keeps water and dirt out of the crack and slows spreading. For a fully broken window, clear the loose glass, tape the perimeter, and cover the opening with heavy plastic sheeting taped to the sidewall, or cut a plywood panel for highway travel. None of these are legal or durable substitutes for replacement.

For a crack that is still holding

Your goal is to keep contaminants out of the crack so a resin repair remains possible, and to reduce the flex that makes it run.

Clean and fully dry the area — resin will not bond to a dirty crack later
Apply clear packing tape over the damage on both faces
Avoid running the defroster on high or blasting cold A/C onto hot glass
Drop tire pressure sensitivity by slowing over rough pavement
Get a resin repair booked within days, not weeks

For a window that is broken out

Safety first: side and rear RV windows are tempered and shatter into blunt cubes, but the edges in the frame will still cut. Gloves, eye protection, and a shop vac.

Remove loose glass from the frame and vacuum the track and interior
Tape the remaining frame edge so it does not cut the covering
Cover with 6-mil plastic sheeting, taped well beyond the opening onto clean sidewall
For highway speed, back the plastic with luan or thin plywood cut to overlap the opening
Use painter's tape against painted fiberglass where possible, and remove it promptly — duct tape adhesive bakes on in sun

What not to do

Do not use a windshield repair kit on a long crack — the resin will not hold and it fouls the surface for a professional repair. Do not cover a marked emergency exit window and forget it; note the blocked exit and tell everyone sleeping in the coach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will tape stop an RV windshield crack from spreading?

It slows it by keeping moisture and debris out and by adding a little surface tension, but temperature swings and chassis flex will still drive it. Treat tape as protection for the repair option, not a fix.

Can I drive with plastic sheeting over an RV window?

Short distances at moderate speed, yes. For sustained highway travel, back it with a rigid panel — sheeting alone flutters loose and can tear away.

How long can I leave a temporary cover on?

Days, not months. Tape adhesive bakes onto gelcoat in sun, and water intrusion around a taped edge causes far more expensive sidewall damage than the window itself.

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