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Replacement Windshield

December 23, 2014, 01:05:41 pm

I'm looking at buying a used '88 Foretravel Grand Villa.  The driver's side windshield is badly cracked.  I'm sitting down -- can anybody tell me what it's going to cost to replace?

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #1 – December 23, 2014, 01:48:06 pm

First place I would call is Coach Glass in Oregon. They have best prices. I bought one for the 240 I had first from FT and the installer broke it then got next from Coach. Their price was a lot cheaper than FT and shipping/crating brought it to only 60% of the first. It was also delivered in a few days. I know they are closer to us than FT but the glass was way cheaper and same maker. It may be that they do not have it but worth a try.
JohnH

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #2 – December 23, 2014, 04:04:21 pm

Grand Villa ( and maybe other models ) FT WS's are proprietary to FT , they hold some kind of patent with Guardian Glass.  You may get Glass that is ALMOST correct from other suppliers.  Save yourself some grief and INSIST that the installer get the glass from FOT. BTDTGTTS.
Gary B

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #3 – December 23, 2014, 07:03:28 pm

 Gary, the one I got from Coach had the same markings for code etc as the one from FT and was also faintly tinted thruout as the other too. Also made by Guardian so surely they do not make one for FT and another for all else?
JohnH

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #4 – December 24, 2014, 08:02:19 am

John, If the glass was Guardian and marked with the same codes it is probably fine.  The glass I got was not Guardian and just looking at it you could see that it would not fit correctly.  It might of fit but you would have to install it to see and installer had had previous experience with glass. We went back to the Insurer's claims service and insisted that they use only glass from FT.
Gary B

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #5 – December 24, 2014, 02:06:32 pm

I had both of my GV windshields replaced summer before last.  One says Guardian and the other Coach Glass.  Both fit good and have the identical tint.  If it were not for the manufactures etching, I couldn't tell the difference.  Couldn't tell you the price as insurance covered it.

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #6 – December 24, 2014, 02:43:18 pm

 RV Glass Solutions ie Coach Glass charged me $575.00 for the passenger side and then shipping plus Customs Brokers to canada here in 5 days was about $350.00.  Cost of screen plus shipping from FT was around $ 1700.00 plus 3 weeks delivery to me.After it arrived the installer broke it and insurance would not pay for it as it was not installed!! I finished up paying for the other one as coach had sold and no way could I sell it without a new screen
JohnH

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #7 – December 24, 2014, 05:57:51 pm

I had the drivers side replaced on my 1990 U280 a few months back.  I got quotes from several glass places.  Windshield cost averaged about $750.  Installed price was $1100.  I ended up having Foretravel furnish and install the glass as an insurance job.  They were competitive, or insurance would not have paid for it.  I think all in their price ended up being $1200 and change.
Why don't you just by my 1990 U280 with the windshield already replaced?  It's priced right and in drive away condition.

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #8 – December 24, 2014, 06:08:57 pm

K-john, that would work out alright if the coach was at FT but mine was 3000 miles away from them. The shipping charges from FT were, $260 for crating and $300+ for shipping ??
So if you add your price of screen plus install you will get around what I quoted earlier.
screen and install $1100 + $560 shipping =$1670

JohnH

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #9 – December 24, 2014, 10:42:57 pm

I got a price from someone on the west coast of $750 for glass pluss shipping and installation by a local Houston glass shop that totaled $1150, all arranged by them.  The quote was based on the etched numbers on the old glass.  I'll see if I can find the quote for you to identify the source.

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #10 – December 25, 2014, 01:13:32 am

We replaced a w/s with Coach Glass on our ol' SOB and the replacement went well until we got in some lighting situation and we realized the tint doesn't match the OEM. Not a big deal to me.  I'm shopping for a passenger w/s for our FT now. Sounds like a trip to FOT is in order! Merry Christmas!

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Re: Replacement Windshield

Reply #11 – December 25, 2014, 01:15:46 am

 That is not unusual as I was told a long time ago that the tint will change slightly over the years especially if you live in very sunny areas.?
johnh

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