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cracked windshield

I apparently got a rock chip in the passenger side windshield of my 1991 U300 while driving at night. The next morning when the sun hit it and warmed the glass it cracked. I reported it to Progressive, my insurance company. I was told it's probably a $2500 windshield and I have a $250 glass deductible. The windshield is old and frosted for about an inch or two from both the top and bottom edges, so it will be nice to get rid of it and get clear glass again. The driver's side is apparently newer because it isn't frosted as much, but it's got a rock chip that hasn't cracked yet. I was planning to get infrared coating installed on the windshield before the summer heat gets here. Can the glass company do this before they install the new windshield or can it be ordered with infrared coating already in the glass? I presume the windshield will have to be special ordered anyway because nobody will have it in stock. I'm only replacing the passenger side at this time. The windshield gasket doesn't leak and appears to be in pretty good shape. I presume some of you have been through this before... any helpful advice?
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #1 –
Geico was my insurance e co. See if your insurance will replace both with one deductible, they may agree
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: cracked windshield

Reply #2 –
I filled my last chip. It has held for over a year. I have not put a coating on it though. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #3 –
Scott,

I've never heard of an 'infrared coating' before?  Please explain.

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #4 –
We had a crack in the passenger's side and insurance replaced both sides for one deductible. I, too, am interested in the infa red coating.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #5 –
Save yourself and the installer some grief.  Replace the gasket with the windshields.  DO NOT BELIEVE the insurance Co, These WS's are proprietary to FT and DUNCAN and other adjustment Companies do not have access to them.  They have to come from FT.  In 04 mine were 1100 each with 450 install, since I had not filed a claim in 4 years ( really 10 ) they forgave the deductible, this was Progressive. Gasket was about 150.

Gary B

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #6 –
After you get your new windshields, you can have one of the new legal high tech almost totally clear films put on.  We did our U225 the second year, and now our U295 windshields.  It made a huge difference to stop the solar heat gains we fight here in TX during the summer.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #8 –
Progressive told me there's no time limit for me to get the windshield replaced, so I can take my time. I was kinda hoping the windshield could be ordered with infrared coating already inside the glass, so it won't be a stick on film that can be scratched. Does that make sense or does it have to be the stick on film on the inside of the windshield? I've seen a lot of those stick on films over the years and I'd like to avoid them if there's a better way. I'm not interested in dark colored tint. I want good night vision. The windshields on these coaches are a huge target and I'm sure I'll have to replace them often. I've been putting on over 10,000 miles per year. I don't tailgate but I hear rocks hitting the windshields often. They're just too big for any rock to miss. If you actually drive your coach you need glass coverage on your insurance for sure. You also need emergency road service and towing on your insurance. These additions to your insurance will easily pay for themselves every year if you drive 10,000 miles per year, just saying. My first year I used the towing and emergency tire service once each. This is my second year and I've been hit by two cars, with no damage to my coach either time, and now I need a windshield. Insurance is really important if your coach gets driven... By the way, the plastic bumpers on the 1991 U300 are so durable that 3000 pound cars bounce right off with no damage to the coach at all. The cars have damage of course.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #9 –
Thanks for explains the clear film and the links.

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #10 –
Scott, as Gary said, you will have to order the glass and gasket thru Foretravel.  Call Mike Grimes for information in parts.
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #11 –
I'll call the Foretravel parts counter tomorrow, and while I'm talking to them I'll ask them if they can order the windshield with infrared coating already in the glass... and if anyone here expresses an interest I'll post about what I find out... I still don't think I need a new gasket but I'll examine it very closely.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #12 –
Scott,
  I'm interested about the infrared coating as well as others.

Richard B
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
Save yourself and the installer some grief.  Replace the gasket with the windshields.  DO NOT BELIEVE the insurance Co, These WS's are proprietary to FT and DUNCAN and other adjustment Companies do not have access to them.  They have to come from FT.  In 04 mine were 1100 each with 450 install, since I had not filed a claim in 4 years ( really 10 ) they forgave the deductible, this was Progressive. Gasket was about 150.

Gary B
I had both of mine replaced last summer.  They did not come from Foretravel but they fit good and look good.  Progressive with $0 deductible for windshields (I understand this can vary from state to state)
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #14 –
I have had the d/s replaced once, and the p/s twice. The D/S was Duncan the passenger side was another brand and was distorted around the curves after the second trip they installed a Duncan problem solved. Like others said go with a new gasket, I didn't but wish I had.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #15 –
I called Foretravel and was told the windshield is in stock at their parts department and sells for $700 plus a shipping fee, which I believe is $70. I was told they will not order windshields with IR coating in them. I wasn't given a reason why. I was also told there are at least two different types of windshield, one with a dark tinted band around the top of the glass, and the other that has the entire glass tinted. I have the windshield with the entire glass tinted. Both types are in stock and the same price. I was told the gasket is in stock but if mine is in good condition and not leaking it would be best not to replace it because that would mean removing the driver's side windshield also and doubling the risk of causing a leak... but they'd love to sell me a new gasket of course. ;D Foretravel told me all their windshields are Guardian glass, which both of mine are. They told me there are other manufacturers making the windshield for my coach, but the quality varies, probably by price... It's nice that the parts folks at Foretravel don't try to sell me stuff I don't need.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #16 –
Quote from: RRadio –
It's nice that the parts folks at Foretravel don't try to sell me stuff I don't need.

I too have found that to be true, along with very good knowledge and suggestions as well.  I have had service explain I did not need things I thought I needed.  I have had them check parts I thought might be too old, and told they were fine this time.

All this done with a smile and thanks for asking or giving us a chance help you.

Someone mentioned needing to replace windshield often.  Might be luck of the draw.  My 93 had one original windshield and one replacement that cracked the first year after the repair again in the same top outside corner.  On my 98 windshields one was replaced last year for by the seller, and the other is dated 98. 
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: cracked windshield

Reply #17 –
I think it depends on what part of the windshield the rock hits. My driver's side windshield has a rock chip about 10" from the edge of the glass that never cracked even though I've driven many thousands of miles with the chip. My passenger side windshield has a rock chip about the same size that's less than an inch from the edge of the glass and it cracked the next morning when the sun warmed it up. I've noticed the same thing with my car windshields over the years. A rock chip near the edge of the glass will usually crack and a rock chip far from the edge of the glass usually won't.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)