Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

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Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

June 18, 2015, 10:50:32 pm

OK. On my last trip home, I got a rock in the passenger side of the front windshield, resulting in an 8" long crack by the time I got home. It was replaced last August or September, while in the garage at the house.

Everything looked just fine; they did a nice job. I had a zero deductible for the item, so I chose a shop that had a great reputation, and cost was no factor.

Not so happy now. Now that I am back on the road and the coach is facing the setting sun, I have the blinds closed. So the picture below is what I see. The camera makes it a little worse that what you see with your eyes, but nonetheless, it is wrong, wrong, wrong. I am not sure what to do at this point, nearly a year later, but it is annoying. I will probably just wait for the next rock, and exercise far more attention to whichever side gets replaced.

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #1 – June 18, 2015, 10:54:49 pm

Brad, That is aggravating but I would not worry about it too much. Could be that the glass is by two different manufacturer and the color difference is their fault. You probably notice it more than others. Don't make an issue of it and I will bet no one says a thing.
JMHO and you know what that is worth.
Gary B

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #2 – June 18, 2015, 11:19:32 pm

Strange , mine is the same. , must have been changed by po

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #3 – June 18, 2015, 11:22:32 pm

I'm sitting here trying to imagine how the conversation went between you and DW, when you first discovered this anomaly. Also trying to imagine what I would say, but since this is a PG rated forum, can't discuss my thoughts.

You could put a strip of darker stick-on tinted film across the top of both sides...that would disguise the difference.

Some day you will look back at this episode and laugh. I promise.

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #4 – June 18, 2015, 11:31:15 pm

I really couldn't see it before, and I've been on the road for about 4 weeks. Parked here facing the sunset has caused me to close the privacy blinds and for some reason that really makes it show up. It doesn't really show from the outside, or when the blinds are open. I did see my windshield company has a Facebook presence, so I sent them this picture for their comment.

It is a "small stuff" in life. I'm sure I'll eventually need another windshield piece, and at that time I will know to tell them to match it. Not gonna sweat it, but I wanted to post to share my experience so others can make sure they get a matching piece. My original has a blue tint, matching the coach. So I'm hoping the new green side is the one that gets the rock again.

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #5 – June 18, 2015, 11:33:43 pm

Brad,

You know how Murphy works, just sayin

Larry

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #6 – June 18, 2015, 11:59:41 pm

Brad, we have a similar problem when one side was replaced. The windscreen info was identical to broken one and still was slightly different. I ordered one for a GV from FT with correct # and was told they were the only ones that can match them. Well guess what when it arrived- yep it was not the same shade. I think it changes with sunlight over years.
Do not worry we will still talk to you. Join the gang!!
JohnH

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #7 – June 19, 2015, 05:54:53 am

Well. maybe we should all meet somewhere and trade windshield colours. I too have a mis match, blue on one side and green on the other. No one noticed at MOT except myself. The drivers side was replaced as a condition of sale. The staff appeared horrified. No one has ever noticed since, or they have the good sense to realize a coach of this stature had it done deliberately. Yes, MOT offered to change it out, but I thought , why be different than everyone else?

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #8 – June 19, 2015, 08:52:58 am

WE had that problem when we bought the coach ten years ago. Driver's side was original glass and passenger's side had been replaced. We didn't notice it until we were having both sides replaced at the Brooksville rally in 2013. That's eight years of driving like that. Glass guys pointed it out. I always drive and look out the green side and DW looks out the blue side. Both the same now and so all is good!

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #9 – June 19, 2015, 09:25:41 am

I had both windshields replaced in Yuma last winter, and got two different shades.
mine is worse because of different colors and different lengths of tint. the glass
company was going to change it for me, but I don't think my gasket can take many
more changes. I asked them to instead of changing windows, send me a window
tinter. he tinted the top 12 inches of the inside of both windows with dark tint. it
looks good from the outside but far from perfect looking from inside.
I believe there are two sources for our glass. one is from coach glass made in turkey,
the other is guardian made in the u.s.

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #10 – September 02, 2020, 11:51:06 am

My 1998 40 foot U320 has a crack from the top gasket to the bottom of the windshield (vertical) and is in need of replacement. Is there any danger in driving it until it is replaced (perhaps a couple of months) Is there any danger in the windshield coming apart and "flying in at the driver"
Has anyone else had these concerns?

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #11 – September 02, 2020, 12:49:31 pm

I have a similar crack ( 2 weeks old ) and am in the process of getting another one from Foretravel. Originally the window guy couldn't find a shaded replacement so I had sold the insurance company on replacing both sides.
Well that was last week. I had called FT about replacement but they closed early last Thursday because of the hurricane so I didn't hear from them until Monday am...... and guess what,, they have a shaded one. So now I'm back to only replacing one side but this / your story is making me anxious.

To your question, the window guy assured me it was ok to drive because the crack was only in the outside pane and not all the way through plus he said these coaches are built strong. He said on the new coaches the window is part of the structural integrity of the nose. Apparently their front cap is flimsy in some cases.

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #12 – September 02, 2020, 02:56:31 pm

Been driving with one for two years. Waiting to change after Alaska trip

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #13 – September 02, 2020, 03:34:29 pm

Any DOT windshield with AS-1 on it, can't come apart like that.

Pierce

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #14 – September 02, 2020, 03:45:44 pm

Had mine changed about two weeks ago, matched perfectly. However it only made 8 days.

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Reply #15 – September 02, 2020, 04:14:07 pm

I get mine in a week. Sounds like a load of fun!

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #16 – September 02, 2020, 06:59:25 pm

I've replaced both sides in the last year and a half. I need to either change my deductible or domicile in Florida. I'm getting $750'd to death here. With regard to windshields, it's not a matter of "if", it's just a matter of "when" ........ and to expand on that it's "how often". Bruce, I know you're glad you have Florida plates on your coach!

Has anyone seen the offending rock coming at you and there's just absolutely nothing you can do?

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #17 – September 02, 2020, 07:11:28 pm

Yep. Coming and no where to go

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #18 – September 02, 2020, 07:26:48 pm

I always try to give suspect vehicles with rocks in their tires or on their decks a wide berth when they enter a freeway. Following a trailer being towed with small tires is another rock-throwing threat.

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #19 – September 02, 2020, 08:30:22 pm

Quote from: Dave & Diane – September 02, 2020, 06:59:25 pm

I've replaced both sides in the last year and a half. I need to either change my deductible or domicile in Florida. I'm getting $750'd to death here. With regard to windshields, it's not a matter of "if", it's just a matter of "when" ........ and to expand on that it's "how often". Bruce, I know you're glad you have Florida plates on your coach!

Has anyone seen the offending rock coming at you and there's just absolutely nothing you can do?

On our way to Xtreme saw a small rock come up from the vehicle in front of us. Only left a bullseye, picked up a repair kit at Autozone in Nac and fixed it.

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #20 – September 02, 2020, 08:33:47 pm

Can you just lower the sun shade below the color line so you never see it?

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #21 – September 02, 2020, 10:01:04 pm

Quote from: Doug W. – September 02, 2020, 07:26:48 pm

I always try to give suspect vehicles with rocks in their tires or on their decks a wide berth when they enter a freeway. Following a trailer being towed with small tires is another rock-throwing threat.

I agree, another place that is a for sure chip, is when cars or trucks switch lanes close to you when they pass you. Really bad in the Spring, from the snow plows dropping gravel. It hides on the stripe in the road.

Chris

Re: Windshield Replacements - A Cautionary Tale

Reply #22 – September 03, 2020, 07:06:31 am

Had the passenger side replaced at MOT last year, Foretravel had no glass in stock and on was found at a supplier somewhere in Texas. It has a darker stripe across the top.
So be it, does not bother me, I am happy someone still makes glass for the windshield gobbling monsters we drive.
Who knows what tint the next replacement will be, I may end up with a matching pair sometime in the future.

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