Tec Vanlife Acrylic Camper Van Awning Window
A double-pane acrylic awning window from Tec Vanlife, sold through Nomadic Supply Company at the same price as Tec Vanlife's own site. Undercuts NomadicArk's smallest comparable size while covering more glass area.
By Sergio Igartua, Founder & Editor · Updated · How we research
Key facts
- Tec Vanlife makes a 700 × 300 mm double-pane acrylic awning window for camper vans.
- Nomadic Supply sells the Tec Vanlife window as the Nomadic Universal bunk window for $368.95, the same as Tec Vanlife's own price.
- The Tec Vanlife window includes a roller blind and a mosquito net and weighs 9 lb.
- Tec Vanlife warrants the window for one year.
- AcrylicWindow.com rates the Tec Vanlife window 3.9 out of 5 as a budget pick from a newer brand.
Pros
- 27.56 × 11.81 in of glass for $368.95, cheaper than NomadicArk's smallest comparable ACR size
- Hydraulic struts rated to 20,000 uses by Tec Vanlife, with adjustable opening levels rather than one fixed position
- Roller blind and mosquito net included, matching the category standard
- Sold directly by Tec Vanlife at essentially the same price, so there is no markup for buying through Nomadic Supply Company
Cons
- Tec Vanlife is a newer, less established name than Dometic, Tern Overland, or NomadicArk
- A forum thread about Tec Vanlife's pricier AW1033 awning window reported oversized screws and debris trapped between panes; unclear if that applies to this cheaper single-tier model
- Only a one-year warranty, in line with the category but not longer
- Very few independent owner reviews turned up anywhere online
Specifications
| Glazing | Double-pane, UV-resistant acrylic |
| Frame | Powder-coated aluminum alloy |
| Opening | Top-hinged awning; hydraulic struts rated to 20,000 uses, adjustable opening levels |
| Locking | Rubber gasket seal; latch hardware per listing photos |
| Included | Window, roller blind, mosquito net |
| Sizes | 27.56 × 11.81 in (700 × 300 mm) |
| Weight | 9 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Company | Tec Vanlife, sells direct and through Nomadic Supply Company and Campervan HQ |
Our Verdict
A legitimate budget pick for a straightforward double-pane acrylic awning window, and larger and cheaper than NomadicArk's smallest comparable size. Tec Vanlife has a much thinner track record than the established names in this category, and the one owner report we found concerned a different, pricier SKU, so treat this as a value bet rather than a sure thing.
Overview
Tec Vanlife is a smaller camper-van parts brand, selling windows, vents, and conversion hardware directly through its own site and through retailers including Nomadic Supply Company and Campervan HQ. The window Nomadic Supply Company lists as its "Nomadic Universal Camper Van Awning Bunk Window" is Tec Vanlife's base double-pane acrylic model at 27.56 by 11.81 inches, sold under Tec Vanlife's own name at essentially the same price on its own site. It sits alongside NomadicArk, Dometic, and Tern Overland as a fourth option in the double-pane acrylic awning category, at a lower price than any of them for a comparable size.
What you get
The construction is straightforward double-pane, UV-resistant acrylic in a powder-coated aluminum alloy frame, the same basic architecture as NomadicArk's ACR line. What differs is the opening mechanism: Tec Vanlife rates its hydraulic struts to 20,000 uses and describes adjustable opening levels, meaning the window can be propped at more than one angle rather than only NomadicArk's single fixed awning position. A roller blind and mosquito net are included, matching the category standard, and the whole assembly weighs about 9 pounds.
Tec Vanlife also sells a glass-acrylic hybrid version and a pricier dual-pane awning model (AW1033) at the same 27.56-by-11.81-inch size, at $399 and $499 respectively on its own site. The window reviewed here is the base $369 acrylic tier, the one Nomadic Supply Company carries.
Price and value
At $368.95 (marked down from $438.95), this window undercuts NomadicArk's smallest comparably sized ACR window, which runs $383.95 to $386.95 for a smaller 23.6-by-9.84-inch pane. For a builder trying to glaze the most window area for the least money, that makes Tec Vanlife's entry a real budget contender, not just a knockoff. Buying through Nomadic Supply Company costs the same as buying direct from Tec Vanlife, so there is no reason to go elsewhere if you are already ordering other parts from Nomadic Supply Company.
Track record and what to watch for
This is the newest brand in the category on this site, and it shows in the available owner feedback: we found almost none for the base acrylic model. The one relevant data point is a Ford Transit USA Forum thread about Tec Vanlife's pricier AW1033 dual-pane awning window, a different and more expensive SKU than the one reviewed here, where owners reported screws that were too long for the mounting frame and debris trapped between the panes that was difficult to clean out. Whether either issue carries over to the cheaper single-tier acrylic window is unclear, but it is a reason to inspect the hardware and the panes closely when the window arrives, before cutting the opening in the van.
Warranty
One year, in line with NomadicArk, Tern Overland, and the rest of the category. No brand in this space offers materially longer coverage, so Tec Vanlife is not behind on this point, only on the volume of independent reviews backing it up.
Who should buy it
Buy it if the budget is tight and you want the largest pane for the least money, and you are comfortable with a newer brand that has not built up the same track record as NomadicArk or Tern Overland. Look at NomadicArk's ACR window instead if a longer history of owner use matters more than a lower price per square inch, or at Dometic or Tern Overland if you want the most established name in the category regardless of cost.
Sources
- Nomadic Supply Company: Nomadic Universal Camper Van Awning Bunk Window, 27.56 × 11.81 in
- Tec Vanlife: Van Windows collection (same window and its $399 hybrid and $499 AW1033 siblings, all at 27.56 × 11.81 in)
- Campervan HQ: Tec Vanlife products
- Ford Transit USA Forum: Tec Vanlife AW1033 window, anybody install one? (owner reports on a different, pricier Tec Vanlife SKU)
- Our review of NomadicArk's comparable ACR window
Frequently asked questions
Who makes the Tec Vanlife acrylic awning window sold on Nomadic Supply Company?
Tec Vanlife, a camper-van parts brand that sells windows, vents, and conversion hardware directly through tecvanlife.com and through retailers including Nomadic Supply Company and Campervan HQ. The 27.56 by 11.81 inch window Nomadic Supply Company lists as its 'Nomadic Universal' bunk window is Tec Vanlife's base double-pane acrylic model, sold under Tec Vanlife's own name at the same price on its own site.
How much does it cost and is it a good deal?
$368.95 at Nomadic Supply Company, marked down from $438.95, matching the $369 sale price on Tec Vanlife's own site. That undercuts NomadicArk's smallest comparable ACR window while covering more glass area (27.56 by 11.81 inches versus NomadicArk's 23.6 by 9.84 inch equivalent), making it a genuine budget option in this category.
How does it compare with NomadicArk's window?
Both are double-pane acrylic awning windows with a similar aluminum frame, integrated blind, and screen. Tec Vanlife's hydraulic struts are rated to 20,000 uses and open to adjustable positions rather than NomadicArk's fixed awning angle. NomadicArk has a longer track record and more owner-reported use; Tec Vanlife is newer to the market and less proven, but a similarly sized window costs less.
Are there any reported problems with Tec Vanlife windows?
A Ford Transit forum thread about Tec Vanlife's AW1033 window, a pricier $499 dual-pane awning model, reported screws that were too long for the frame and debris trapped between the panes that was hard to remove. That is a different, more expensive SKU than the base acrylic window reviewed here, so it is not certain the same issues apply, but it is worth inspecting the window and hardware carefully on arrival.
What is included with the Tec Vanlife window?
The window itself, a roller blind, and a mosquito net, the same inclusions as NomadicArk and other windows in this category. It ships at about 9 pounds and carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty.
Who should buy the Tec Vanlife window instead of a more established brand?
Builders on a tight budget who want the largest window for the least money and are comfortable with a newer, less-reviewed brand. Buyers who want a longer track record and more owner reports should look at NomadicArk, Dometic, or Tern Overland instead, even at a higher price per square inch.