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Topic: Glass Delamination (Read 757 times) previous topic - next topic

Glass Delamination

The 1998 U270 I have been inquiring about and shared with this forum, seems to be in overall good clean condition. Owners return in a week, so hope to answer more questions.

I do have one concern for now regarding the double pane windows. They seem to all be suffering of delamination to some extent. The windows have a black gob line between the two panes of glass as if the sealed edge has worked towards the middle of window. One window is about two inches from edge, the others just starting to move inward.

Question:  Can these windows be separated by a glass professional and resealed? Have any of you experienced this oddity before.

Kevin

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #1 –
Oooops! I forgot I was on the clasified section when posted.

Kevin

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #2 –
Kevin,

Good news, coach has dual pane windows. Bad news, almost all of those windows of that era have this problem (peninsula windows maybe?)

They still preform OK when they suffer from the "squiggles" but not so pretty. Search the forum for "window repair" and you will see at least one owner that did the repair himself.

Many have used Suncoast in Hudson FL - here is the link to their web site:

http://suncoast.ccwindow.com/rv-services/

there are other places to get these fixed - not sure the going rate these days, involves removal of window from coach, splitting glass, cleaning, reassembly with new and improved seal, and reinstall in coach. Memory was maybe $150 per window, but a quick call to Suncoast will give you an idea of what it will coast to fix if you buy the coach.

Hudson FL is about 40 Miles North of Tampa.

Good luck!
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –

........................Good news, coach has dual pane windows. Bad news, almost all of those windows of that era have this problem (peninsula windows maybe?)..................

Kevin/Tim,
Peninsular Windows = Motion Windows = the newer, more sophisticated windows.  Some of us have replaced our "snaked" windows with Motion/Peninsular windows (for a whole host of reasons, but it is an expensive change.  Having changed, I feel the cost was well worth while and one of our most cost effective changes.
Creation Windows = the snakey windows = as Tim  pointed out,  very repairable windows.  The Creation Window Company has been out of business for several years.
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #4 –
Howdy Kevin, 
  Our curbside windows had the "snaking" issue.  We had all three repaired at RV Fog Doctors in Searcy, AR.  RV Fog Doctor - Repairing Fogged, Streaked and Discolored RV Windows
They have a wonderful facility with full hookups and great service.  $200 per window.  We are very happy with the results.
Good Luck,  Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #5 –
Thanks for setting the record straight - I was afraid I had the wrong name. SHould have just said, the old supplier and new supplier.

Anyway, lots of places to get fixed, I have seen prices from $150 - $300 per window. Or you can do it yourself or buy new.

FIgure into the price. Where is coach sitting. Has it been used or sitting two years?

Dave Head (who said $45k only if perfect) has a really good grasp of the pricing in the market (too much time on his hands to search the internet ...:-0)

If sitting two years and ask is $45K, I would start around $35K, will give you room to nudge up if you have to. Figure $3 - $5K first year fixing stuff beyond any window work, Upgrades, Tires, and Batteries would drive that number up.

plus make sure tires are not over five years old ( date codes on sidewalls), batteries hold a good charge or are newer, bulkhead has no issues, and refrigerator cooks both in electric and propane mode.

Also check roof airs cool and cruise control works.

If as
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #6 –
Thanks Dave, Neal and Tim,

Had another look with a experienced MH friend who thought it was pretty good for the age. He owns a 36 ft Canadian built Triple E  pusher and was quite impressed with the 1998 U270 3600 Foretravel quality, design and storage.  Personally, I would not pay the asking price and nice to know after you input, what I was thinking $$$$ is realistic. I appreciate all the advise and tips which I will focus on my next inspection.

The bulkhead issue? I haven't search it yet but is this an Achilles tenden and obvious to detect?

Have the retarders been fairly issue free. In the 70 and 80's retarders mix with big Cat engines work great but very high maintenance.

Hopefully the test drive will be soon and see how my wife feels.

Kevin

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #7 –
Quote from: kevlor80 –
Thanks Dave, Neal and Tim,

Had another look with a experienced MH friend who thought it was pretty good for the age. He owns a 36 ft Canadian built Triple E  pusher and was quite impressed with the 1998 U270 3600 Foretravel quality, design and storage.  Personally, I would not pay the asking price and nice to know after you input, what I was thinking $$$$ is realistic. I appreciate all the advise and tips which I will focus on my next inspection.

The bulkhead issue? I haven't search it yet but is this an Achilles tenden and obvious to detect?

Have the retarders been fairly issue free. In the 70 and 80's retarders mix with big Cat engines work great but very high maintenance.

Hopefully the test drive will be soon and see how my wife feels.

Kevin
Kevin,
The Trans retarder from Allison is very good.  Just keep maintaining the transmission and it will work as long as you own the coach.  I've had mine for 10 years and zero problems.  Also, many use synthetic fluids...even better.  Keep the trans temp below 300 F, an all will be well.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #8 –
Engine and transmission bulletproof, including retarders, a few have cracked brackets and in a couple of cases fallen off coach, easy inspection, easy repair. Pretty rare.

If he owes money on it, he may need more for it than it is worth

Search is your friend - go the Forum home page, search on Bulkhead, Tires, refrigerator, windows, whatever. LOTS of great posts for you to consume.

Don't let Don's repair on his bulkhead scare you. Problem is easily detected if it exists, and usually repairs if needed are minor. Don didn't know to look, and he is obviously a master craftsman, bought a coach in need of repair and went 200% in the repair.

Also Barry's web site a wealth of info - we all owe Michellel, Steve and Barry HUGE!

Here is link: FORETRAVEL Motorhomes service and Repair Information

James Triana at factory happy to answer questions on any age coach.  How good is that factory support!

Good luck, if you don't buy this FT, get one, you will love it!
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)
 

Re: Glass Delamination

Reply #9 –
Kevin, I had a window with "creepy seals" redone in Kelowna/Westbank and they do a lot for many RV Dealers around the area. Not just a Foretravel thing. I now have the seal and urethane for doing my own as it is not a hard one to do, you just have to make sure all is clean and inline before putting together. If you take the unit out they charge $200 approx each. Windows come out and go in easy.
My areas of concern when buying now are, age of tires and batteries and any cracks or delaminations in body work. Check roof all over for leaks. If it drives good and shifts good the rest is easy. I say between 35 -38K here in Canada. Nada book say's (as at last year) I do not have this years copy now. DO NOT catergorize the Foretravel as you would a Newmar or other make. World of difference once you know them.
John H
Kaleden.
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.