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Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Well we took a rock face-first up here in MN. I'm going to try to make it back to AZ before having the windshield replaced. After seeing one of the previous windshield posts, I'd like to know just how hard replacing one of these is. I have a shop about two hours from my house that has done it successfully in the past but it'd be nice if I could find someone local to do it. I'm sure this won't be the last time.

I know of a GREAT glass guy that recently did my Jeep but understand that automobile experience may not translate to RVs. I would like to avoid the local RV dealerships at all costs.

So - is this something that takes experience with Foretravels or does other experience, be it with other motorhomes or just cars, translate?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #1 –
I wouldn't worry about that crack, it will last for years like that. I had 2 windshields done
when I had my Monaco. The first one a guy came to my place and did it and the second
one I went to a glass place near me and both did a good job. The right windshield on my
coach is cracked worst than yours and I will get it done some day, not a priority for me.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Elliott –
So - is this something that takes experience with Foretravels or does other experience, be it with other motorhomes or just cars, translate?
Search "windshield replacement" on the Forum.  Lots of good info, plus some horror stories.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #3 –
So being this was recently replaced i would contact the previous installer and talk to him. Good chance a matching tint can be had. He also my have input putting in a second glass, is the inner pane cracked? I personally wouldn't worry about it. Also if covered with the nano tint windshield tint would contain any loose chips

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #4 –
I have a similar, but longer crack.  It has been stable for almost two years.

I notified my insurance company that I had a non-repairable crack, that it was not in my line of sight, and that I would let them know when it became a problem.

When we got our coach a few years ago, the windshield appeared new.  Now it has dozens of small chips.  I suspect the little chips will continue to multiply, some will become cracks, before the existing crack becomes a problem to me.

Part of me would like to have the windshield pristine, but I think it is a wear item like tires.  Also, I had lots of insurance claims in a short time.  New windshield in the Monaco.  Total loss on the Monaco.  New windshield on the FJ Cruiser.  Total loss of the FJ Cruiser.  New windshield in the Tundra.  New windshield in the newer FJ.  All in about two years.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #5 –
My only advice with regards to windshield replacement comes from an experience we hat at Foretravel MANy years ago.  We needed a new windshield in the  ... '95 U320, I think, and I was watching while the new unit was resting on the padded workhorses while they guys prepped the coach for installation.  For some reason, a bit of random information popped into my head while I stood there.  I was able to take my finger and carefully run it around the outside edge of the new windshield.  Sure enough, I found a chip on the edge!  I pointed it out to the installer (time has taken his name from me, but we knew him well ... not Alton but one of the regulars) and said I needed to have a different windshield for our coach.  He looked surprised ... looked at me ... and trotted off to find another.  Just a small chip will affect the integrity of the entire thing, leading to those mystery cracks that appear in high heat or out of nowhere when you open the curtains in the morning.  Can't remember where I first read the bit about checking the edge.  My head is filled with bits of obscure and mostly useless info. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
My only advice with regards to windshield replacement comes from an experience we hat at Foretravel MANy years ago.  We needed a new windshield in the  ... '95 U320, I think, and I was watching while the new unit was resting on the padded workhorses while they guys prepped the coach for installation.  For some reason, a bit of random information popped into my head while I stood there.  I was able to take my finger and carefully run it around the outside edge of the new windshield.  Sure enough, I found a chip on the edge!  I pointed it out to the installer (time has taken his name from me, but we knew him well ... not Alton but one of the regulars) and said I needed to have a different windshield for our coach.  He looked surprised ... looked at me ... and trotted off to find another.  Just a small chip will affect the integrity of the entire thing, leading to those mystery cracks that appear in high heat or out of nowhere when you open the curtains in the morning.  Can't remember where I first read the bit about checking the edge.  My head is filled with bits of obscure and mostly useless info. 
You are absolutely correct and certainly not useless information. So those small chips if  they are crack free can be ground and polished to stress relieve and reduce localized stress. Very good catch, most would of missed. Tempered glass that has had the edges ground and polished are much more resistant to cracking under stress.

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #7 –
Installing it is different from installing it in a car, MOT installed it by sliding it in from the side, it appeared to be a good bit of work but did not take long to do.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #8 –
You can make it to Az many times with no I'll effect from that crack. I would keep fishing until I found the deal and the  person or people to do it that suited me best. No rush as far as use ability is concerned, at least from what I see. Frustrating yes.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #9 –
 We got this little gem first day out on a month long trip to Glacier a couple months ago. Had a guy come to campground in Pocatello and pressure fill it with resin the next morning... so far so good. Keeping fingers crossed she don't spread....
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #10 –
Sorry for the double post... still learning how to use this feature....
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #11 –
We took this hit at mile marker 183 on hwy. 200 in Montana. No vehicles in front of us and an oncoming car must have pitched something clear over to our passenger window. Sounded like a rifle shot but there was nothing around but that car.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #12 –
We have glass coverage.  Call ins and they arrange everything including install.

 No glass coverage, do not break the new windshield as you can get to purchase another one.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #13 –
Yes Craneman, ours came from car going other direction also. Was loud. Scared the crap out of us. NB 395 between Beatty, NV. And Winnemucca.... ...
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #14 –

Installing it is different from installing it in a car, MOT installed it by sliding it in from the side, it appeared to be a good bit of work but did not take long to do.
 
I insisted that my insurance allowed me to go to MOT for the replacement.
Watched three guys, who probably have installed LOTS of windshields, struggle with it. I think there is more to it than meets the eye. There was a question about reusing the gasket. If I remember correctly, they reused it.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #15 –
I have had to replace mine twice. My advice is to call your insurance company and they will arrange it for you at their nearest authorized installer. Both times it was the installers recommendation that it needed to sit overnight before resuming travel.
2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"
2014 Honda CRV
Washington, Vermont
Lady Lake, Fl,  Independence, VA
Former owner of 2002 U320, 2003 U320, 2005 U270

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #16 –
As said, report to your insurance company. I had a similar situation -- took a rock that left a chip in the lower driver's side as I pulled into Battle Mtn., NV on 305. I stopped in McCall, ID and had a glass shop look at it, hoping they could do a repair but they said it couldn't be repaired. The tiny chip turned into a crack all the way to the top.
At that point I took it to glass shop in Pullman. They took the numbers off the original glass and the replacement was identical. They reused the gasket.
* The coach wouldn't fit into their shop so they did the job on the street.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Elliott –
I know of a GREAT glass guy that recently did my Jeep but understand that automobile experience may not translate to RVs. I would like to avoid the local RV dealerships at all costs.

So - is this something that takes experience with Foretravels or does other experience, be it with other motorhomes or just cars, translate?
Automobile windshields are boded in place with hot adhesive and become part of your automobile's structure.

Foretravel is old school with the windshield isolated from the body by a flexible gasket.  Both are skilled operations with totally different skill sets, and as Carole Savournin has pointed out chips in the edge of the glass will spread eventually.  The best tool for removing chips in glass is a resin bonded diamond grinding wheel, but most old school glass shops use a silicon carbide wet sanding belt.

Go ahead.  Make another insurance claim. I dare you.

Art
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.
 

Re: Windshield Replacement - how hard?

Reply #18 –
Several years ago we had the navigator's side windshield replaced by a local guy that came out and did the work. The insurance company found him and sent him out. He reused the gasket. Two years ago we came north on I-25 through Colorado, and the driver's side windshield shifted out of place about ½" or so. I didn't notice it until we stopped at the Blue Beacon in Cheyenne. Both the coach and I got a shower! No one could find a place to fix it properly, so we had to live with a temporary repair (automotive guy shifted the windshield back into place) until we got to MOT last summer. We had them replace the gasket, and the driver's side windshield broke during the process so we got to buy a new one.

They have two spots directly across from the bay they use for windshields that are as close to level as possible. Once the windshield is installed they carefully back the coach into one of those spots, put a brace in place, and tell you not to move the coach for 24 hours. Since they actually did this on Friday the coach didn't move until Monday morning. One year later all is still good.