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Windshield Issues

Windshield issues-1995 Foretravel Grandvilla u280

We had some major shifting when we moved the coach this spring...checked for delamination (NONE)....however, the gasket was in rough shape...ordered a new one...finally found someone willing  pull the old windows to install new gasket...they came a few weeks ago...broke both windshields...turns out they were after market windshields...ordered new windshields directly from FT....they were delivered to a new glass place (this guy is contracted by RV insurance carrier)...anyway, coach was dropped off Tuesday...today the guy calls me and tells me after removing and reinstalling 16 times, he can't get the windshields in...he says the windshield is 4 inches too big....is there a trick? I read a post on the forum that said the coach should be lifted and not leveled? Or something.

 Of course it's Saturday and I can't call Foretravel for technical advice.
1995 U280
Grandvilla Unihome

3600 ORED
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Build 4680

Buxton, Maine

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #1 –
Several people on this forum have replaced at least one side, myself included, and I don't recall anyone having problems like you are describing. It sounds like Foretravel sent you the wrong windshields but the installer should have realized that before he even started -- or at least after the 1st try.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #2 –
Are you SURE there is no delamination between the front cap and the wood below the dash board?

Condensation on the windshield can run down and rot out that wood.

Look UP from inside the nose with a flashlight.
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: Windshield Issues

Reply #3 –
Wouldn't the rotting make the opening larger not smaller?
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 Issues

Reply #4 –
Quote from: craneman –
Wouldn't the rotting make the opening larger not smaller?


The front cap would sag where there is delam. Depending on what area sags would determine change in opening shape.

Ya, guess it could be something more substantial as our friend in Australia, Mr B3 found out. If not delam of the dash attachment, do a search for his posts on his front cap issues.
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: Windshield Issues

Reply #6 –
Think Foretravel can only tell you what we are saying,fill out the signature area with as much info as possible and tell us where you are,may be close to somebody,also think I would find a new windshield installer,most would have quit after one or 2 tries not 16.
Almost sounds like you have a 96 inch wide coach and got the windshields for a 102 inch wide coach.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #7 –
If it is a 1995 U280, it is a 102".
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: Windshield Issues

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John44 –
Think Foretravel can only tell you what we are saying,fill out the signature area with as much info as possible and tell us where you are,may be close to somebody,also think I would find a new windshield installer,most would have quit after one or 2 tries not 16.
Almost sounds like you have a 96 inch wide coach and got the windshields for a 102 inch wide coach.
The one thing that has not been said is about the difference in coach width.
HeatherT and a friend should take a tape measure and measure underneath, from the outside, the width of her coach from one outside wall to the other.  It is 96" or 102"?
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 Issues

Reply #9 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
If it is a 1995 U280, it is a 102".
Toolmaker training kicking in here.
When I pick up my underwear in the morning I always check the size first.
HeatherT should tell the collective here exactly what here ride is and the measured width.
Art
PS Burnt too many times by "Should be . . ."
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 Issues

Reply #10 –
Foretravel should have known from the build number. "Normally", if it has a plastic bumper it is 102.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Twig –
Foretravel should have known from the build number. "Normally", if it has a plastic bumper it is 102.
Then that would mean that the wooden supporting the Grand Villa nose has shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!  If HeatherT wants to keep it in Maine, she needs to find a craftsman, maybe a boat builder, to do the necessary repair.  I wonder if there's anyone in Maine with boat building skills?

FWIW the metal bumper on our '92 U225 shows no damage after taking out the grill, grill trim, front sheetmetal, condenser and radiator of the Studebaker.
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 Issues

Reply #12 –
Okay...here is more information

1995-U280–wide body-plastic bumper

Delamination question (my husband has checked and says none)....but, here is the question...doesn't delamination cause the shifting of the windshields and makes them "loose"....If yes, why then would it cause the new windshields to not go back in?  the other day the glass guy had the passenger side perfectly in...but couldn't  get the top left corner of the drivers side in...took everything apart and now the driver's side is perfectly in and the passengers side right top corner won't go in...

I suggested filling the driver's side air bag and dumping the passenger side to see if it twists it back in or something with the air bags...but he has 20 yrs experience and says he has tried all the tricks...nobody up here knows about these coaches...I feel like I am talking until I am blue in the face...I'm looking at it like it's a puzzle...

At this point I just want the windshields in and then this fall we can get to FT for a full assessment

1995 U280
Grandvilla Unihome

3600 ORED
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Build 4680

Buxton, Maine

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #13 –
Can you post some pictures,may help.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #14 –
Perhaps the frame has been twisted. That could explain the original gasket problem, the broken windshields and the inability to install both sides.
Something unusual is causing the problem.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Heather T –
Okay...here is more information

1995-U280–wide body-plastic bumper

Delamination question (my husband has checked and says none)....but, here is the question...doesn't delamination cause the shifting of the windshields and makes them "loose"....If yes, why then would it cause the new windshields to not go back in?  the other day the glass guy had the passenger side perfectly in...but couldn't  get the top left corner of the drivers side in...took everything apart and now the driver's side is perfectly in and the passengers side right top corner won't go in...

I suggested filling the driver's side air bag and dumping the passenger side to see if it twists it back in or something with the air bags...but he has 20 yrs experience and says he has tried all the tricks...nobody up here knows about these coaches...I feel like I am talking until I am blue in the face...I'm looking at it like it's a puzzle...

At this point I just want the windshields in and then this fall we can get to FT for a full assessment



HeatherT

Delamination of the skin is different from the wooden support inside the nose fiberglass coming loose from age or rot.  Foretravels don't "delaminate" because of the way they're constructed.

The frame does twist.  The air bag suspension keeps everything square, but when the house is sitting on the lower stops the surface the tires upon which the tires are sitting determines twist.  There are a few people on this list with "interesting" driveways.  One person who drove through a concrete drain in the dark and one who balanced his FT on diagonal wheels.
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 Issues

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Heather T –
Okay...here is more information

1995-U280–wide body-plastic bumper

Delamination question (my husband has checked and says none)....but, here is the question...doesn't delamination cause the shifting of the windshields and makes them "loose"....If yes, why then would it cause the new windshields to not go back in?  the other day the glass guy had the passenger side perfectly in...but couldn't  get the top left corner of the drivers side in...took everything apart and now the driver's side is perfectly in and the passengers side right top corner won't go in...

I suggested filling the driver's side air bag and dumping the passenger side to see if it twists it back in or something with the air bags...but he has 20 yrs experience and says he has tried all the tricks...nobody up here knows about these coaches...I feel like I am talking until I am blue in the face...I'm looking at it like it's a puzzle...

At this point I just want the windshields in and then this fall we can get to FT for a full assessment


You have delamination...!! Take a look at my post from a few years back. I had the identical problem.

Broken windshield on our U300

Hans


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

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Hans&Marjet –
You have delamination...!! Take a look at my post from a few years back. I had the identical problem.

Broken windshield on our U300

Hans



X2 on what Hans says. Sure is nice to have people that have already been down this path with the answers

Re: Windshield Issues

Reply #18 –
Think the easiest solution is to verify from Foretravel that you have the correct windshields,if they are the right ones then you have
another problem,without seeing the coach all were doing is wild guessing.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.