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Topic: Broken windshield on our U300 (Read 1031 times) previous topic - next topic

Broken windshield on our U300

Coming home from Barber Motor Sport (AL) driving through Atlanta, our navigator side windshield developed a vertical crack. Any recommendation of a good glass shop in the upstate SC (Greenville) or Western NC would be appreciated.

Thx

Hans
 
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #1 –
China Grove Glass and Coach China Grove ,NC  2235 Hwy 152 E, China Grove, NC 28023
Phone: (704) 857-8502 
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #2 –
Do you know how to test the nose for delamination? I sure didn't until I just went to Foretravel in Nacogdoches to get my windshields replaced. They wouldn't replace the broken windshields until after they relaminate the nose because the windshield won't be supported and will pop out when driving over a grade change. They didn't have time to relaminate the nose now so I'll get it done later. To test for delamination of the nose thump on the side of the coach under the windshield and all around behind it to see if the outer skin moves. If the skin moves don't bother installing a new windshield now. Call Foretravel and ask them about it. According to the estimate Foretravel just gave me last week when I was there, each windshield is $700. With a new gasket, installation, and all supplies included they quoted me $2,870.97. I presume you could subtract over $700 from that total to find the cost of replacing one windshield. They quoted me $1,620 to relaminate the nose, so it's actually cheaper than the windshield replacement. I will probably have to spend two nights camped out in the nearby state park in my tent, or in a local hotel... nah, the state park is really nice, I camped there when I first got my coach :)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #3 –
Scott...checked today and it has separated. Now to find a way to remove the dash top to get at the area for the repair.

H
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #4 –
Hans China Grove Glass and coach can do anything you need done They are a full service body and paint shop also They have been in business since I think 1958.  Give them a call. They are familiar with these coaches
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #5 –
Quote from: stump –
Hans China Grove Glass and coach can do anything you need done They are a full service body and paint shop also They have been in business since I think 1958.  Give them a call. They are familiar with these coaches
Stump
I called them today and left message...no return yet...
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #6 –
Won't suggest that his is the only/correct remedy, but will certainly give insight into the structure of the area:
Dash Replacement - Why would they use WOOD?

Scroll to the top to start.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #7 –
Hans, do you have insurance that covers this? If so, they may have ideas about who does the work. We had a similar adventure earlier this year, although we didn't have the delamination issue. We ended up stuck in St. Peters, MO for an extra two weeks because of their delays. All we could do was visit our kids and grandson. Such a terrible thing! <grin> Other than baking (no shade there), and having to move every few days, it wasn't too bad. When the windshield finally arrived it took the two guys only a couple of hours to remove the old windshield, clean up the broken glass, and put the new windshield in. We had the front a/c going full blast and had bottles of water in the refrigerator for them.

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #8 –
Hans I think they are closed on Mondays.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #9 –
Just had Old Town replace our right side windshield (had to remove the left one to replace the one piece gasket),
Then the next day the left one broke, so replaced it today.
Now the right one has a small "bow" in it on the bottom near the radius. looks to be a bent body panel... mebbe caused by a big bird strike??
Haven't seen the bill yet

Good luck with yours
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #10 –
Hans, I doubt anyone other than Foretravel will be able to properly relaminate the nose. They told me they have a huge clamp that holds the nose together for at least 18 hours while the adhesive cures. You'll have to camp out somewhere else for a couple of nights. There are several hotels in Nacogdoches, or bring your tent and camp at the nearby state park. They've got some nice hiking trails there. Foretravel told me that insurance has never covered the nose relamination before because it's not related to the broken windshield.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #11 –
After much thought I have decided to repair my delam issue myself. I'm using a Fein multi-tool to remove the adhesive material. It's coming along slowly but this tool is doing the job. The removed material is like shimming agent/gap filler  A few days of this and I should be ready for the West system Six10.

Hans

Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #12 –
Good start.  The important thing is to get the dash and front cap back in the proper orientation before West Systeming them in place.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #13 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Good start.  The important thing is to get the dash and front cap back in the proper orientation before West Systeming them in place.
Brett....I plan on doing one side at a time..the cap is very rigid and staying put but the dash has a very slight slope as the material is removed so I'll install a wooden support strut when filling the gap with Six10.
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #14 –
Fein multi tool is a great tool for making precision cuts relatively safely. There are cheaper knock offs now, but I have a fein. Lots of uses for this type of tool - a great Xmas gift for the handyman.  Good luck with your repair Hans, and tell us how you liked the West system.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #15 –
I reattached the upper and lower bulkheads on my coach as well.  Was able to do it with the windshield in place, clamped by wedging between coach and close building with sticks and plywood pads to distribute force.  No problems 4 years later.  Like the idea of using the 6/10, good stuff. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Broken windshield on our U300 UPDATE

Reply #16 –
Update to the front cap delam...I used a different approach to securing the dash to the front cap, instead of applying force to the exterior I used 2 (per side) truck cargo storage securing rods and supported the dash area (which had sagged some). These units are ratcheting and can apply various loads. Drivers side is done and curing for 36 hrs then onto the passenger side.
West System 610 is a great product no sagging on vertical surface.

Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Broken windshield on our U300

Reply #17 –
Hi Hans;  Saw your Repair photos  Looks really good.  Best wishes to you and Marjet.  Have a great Holiday season.  Janet and Steve Laymon.  PS  still looking!!!!!
Steve Laymon