Winnebago Caused Rust: Need Names!!!

[ExitStrategy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petro My Horizon is the 3rd Winnebago MH I have owned. Safe-Lite just replaced the DS windshield due to stone damage. I asked them to check for any rust problems. They did not fine anything serious. I have owned 2 previous Winnebago MHs and while I have had to replace windshields in both of them I never found any serious rust problems.. So I don't believe we can truthfully state that all Winnebago Motor homes have Windshield area rust problems. I like my Horizon and I am a happy camper. Don

Don -

Thank you for checking in here. Did you notice if the L brackets that positioned your windshield at the bottom were plain steel or coated? I'm wondering if there are any differences between the models.

Thanks.

[Wayne M]

I was not trying to bash anyone, I was just stating some facts.

Fact:
The windshields on some model (full windshield) are known to have problems. Those problems are not addressed nor has anything been published to look for the problems, so this thread has done that.

Fact:
It is known that on some models the forward compartments, both sides, have rust issues, as do the services compartment, battery compartment, and electrical compartment.

Those facts have been pointed out in this thread. It is not a "only once" occurrence.

I'm glad that Winnebago reads this thread. And I hope that they take future production into consideration.

I was fortunate that my windshield rust and the forward compartments were covered under warranty and fixed by the dealer. It was after the warranty expired that the other compartments started showing signs of rust.

No bashing. These are items that have been reported several times, with follow-up by members indicated that they also have had the same problems.

If you search, you will find a post somewhere by me of my specific windshield rust problem, and you will find where I believe I stated that the technician that repaired it stated that "This is a known problem with Winnebago's."

Now, that being all said, when I was in Junction, OR, having something else fixed there were other brands, many different brands, from Pop-ups to Prevost in for repair. You could walk around the parking area and see the service tickets in the windows. Many just waiting for parts. So it is not any one particular manufacturer that has problems, but when a problem with a manufacturer surfaces, it is nice to bring it to light so others can check. And with this thread, windshield, for my model/year, one needs to pull the fascia off on the inside to discover the extensive rust. The outside never revealed it, but the water was sure coming down the inside of the windshield.

Just facts. As they happened to me. I'll still keep my MH.

Oops! Guess I'm bristling a little. Sorry! Still facts though.

Found this: Just some more opinions on other items and such:
Curious - How Many Problems With Your RV

p.s. please do a forum search on "windshield rust" without the quotes and see how many models have problems.

Happy trails.

[Pusherman]

I'm an independent repair shop owner. We don't sell RV's, other than an occasional consignment deal. I have seen rust on every brand coach that has ever come through our shop.

We have a HR in our shop right now which has significant surface rust all over it. We've done some repairs for the owner, but they still love it and use it all the time (I think it's about a 2001).

You name the coach, I've seen rust. I've seen rust on windshield frames of several Winnies when we've replaced the windshield. Winnebago chose to glue the windshields to the steel cage (the steel cage being a plus), which in my opinion (I'm not a mechanical engineer) may cause more rust over time. However, once again in my opinion, it provides a stronger seal, with less vibration. Some other coach manufacturers set the windshield in a rubber molding, and I have seen huge gaps between the fiberglass and glass due to this method.

I bought my 07 Winnie new, and it has been pampered and well kept to the hilt, but I do have some surface rust on the exterior metal framework which will be taken care of this winter.

If it's made of metal, has the name 'motorhome' on it, it will rust. Keep after it, and it should last you a lifetime.

Unfortunately, the motorhome industry has not figured out how to rust-proof vehicles like the auto industry has done in recent years. I wish they would for all our sakes.

[Petro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExitStrategy Don - Thank you for checking in here. Did you notice if the L brackets that positioned your windshield at the bottom were plain steel or coated? I'm wondering if there are any differences between the models. Thanks.

I drooped the coach off at their shop, went shopping, and picked it up when it was done. They just gave me a verbal report. Sorry

Don

[bachler]

I should have mentioned sooner. our The chieftan . had the windshiels replaced NO rust; The Vectra 3 replacements , No rust;; The Ultimate 4 replacements Little rust;. Sometimes I wonder If the Rust is caused From moisture from within the coach. I know over the years I have been in some peoples coaches where the walls and windows have water running down them From sweatting... some will say stay on the subject.THat is the subject. Maybe an open window while in the coach would help. it does for us;;

[ExitStrategy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bachler I should have mentioned sooner. our The chieftan . had the windshiels replaced NO rust; The Vectra 3 replacements , No rust;; The Ultimate 4 replacements Little rust;. Sometimes I wonder If the Rust is caused From moisture from within the coach. I know over the years I have been in some peoples coaches where the walls and windows have water running down them From sweatting... some will say stay on the subject.THat is the subject. Maybe an open window while in the coach would help. it does for us;;

Coaches sweat on the inside if they are not properly vented. This is exterior rust on the outer windshield frame.

[POPPASMURF]

I think there are parts of these posts that are a real service to MH and Winnie owners. To put your head in the sand isn't one of them. We need each other to deal with repairs, a lot of us are handy enough to do repairs-if we know what to expect. It is this forum where that detailed info. is available. If you're trying to get something for nothing-you'll only get what you put in. I for one appreciate the comments of those who have totally or partially succeeded in effecting repairs.

[bachler]

I have read most of the posts in this thread;;; One thing I am sure of ALL coaches have rust;; Just as all coachs use fuel; We have had,and have rust on our coach. It's a way of life. If the coachs chassic were Painted/galvenized/plated. when would it be done before assembly or after. (welds,, holes) would have to be done too. In total reality, when the coach is rooled off the assembly line and the fab. hours are totaled then they add the markup; Now someone wants to add still more hours. Say 12 hours to Hand paint all the little welds and brackets the bends in the windshield frame, The list goes on and on , as i mention one; And posters will have 10 more, I say that (a little rust) is the beuttie of the beast.. Come on guys WE may not like it. But it does no good what so ever going on and on about a thing that is a way of fife. AS JUDGE JUDY would say;; NO one made you buy it.... Life is good

[Knightly]

This is an update on my original thread about one year ago. I have a 2007 Itasca, 35', W24 chassis. I have been slowly trying to track down the source of a water leak in the passenger windshield area. I have resealed the entire top of the windshield over the past year and feel confident that I have found the areas that were leaking. The one common denominator is rust. It has been found everywhere around the frame. I expect to find rust on the chassis, but I certainly did not expect the degree of rust on the rectangular steel frame which supports the windshield. My rig is now 5 years old and I have owned it since new. I definitely feel that this type of corrosion is totally preventable. The method used to install the windshield created a corridor for the water to sit along the top of the windshield. Time and vibration is bound to open tiny areas for the trapped water to find it way inside the coach.
Higher costs do not need to be incurred. Better quality control would have eliminated all my leak and rust problems.

I never thought that I would be sanding, painting metal and sealing water leaks within the first four years of ownership of a brand new motorhome. However, this site has been very informative and helpful in coping with these problems.

Still, I am not about to give up the RV or lifestyle anytime soon as the benefits still outweigh the problems.

Retired snowbird.

Knightly

[bachler]

I almost forgot when we were shopping for a coach we toured all the factories . WE went to Winnebago because it was the best built;; Now there were/are a lot of builders that use wood in there complete frame works. I went with Winnebago because They use a Steel cage around the drivers Compartment.. Altho we have an ULTIMATE; A bit of rust is a pour thing to spend your time on.. Before the lawsuits come PLEASE end this Thread;; OK; Life is good. Lets not Sling mud like 3 year old children. We are all grown up;;

[ron55]

This in a informative post to list your rust problems, no winnebago cheerleader is needed you are just trying to kill this post. how about using some other post to due your cheerleading it has nothing to due with this post

[bachler]

Yes we own a Winnebago. Yes This is a Winnabago Site . NO I am not a Winnebago Cheerleader. ( as some ??? )accused me of being. YES there Have been some known rust problems.. and I posted the facts as I see them.. Yes some folks can't handle the truth;;;

[Peddler]

After 8 months of ownership, i decided to pull the windshield trim pieces and check for rust. No rust anywhere with the exception of the four "L" brackets at the bottom. The rust there was substantial. I tapped the brackets down a little to give room to get rust neutralizer (I use Loctite) on top of the brackets. There are small rubber pads between the brackets and the glass that I removed to allow treatment of the rust. Winnebago servics rep agreed with this but recommended replacing the pads when finished. I obtained replacements but cannot get them back in the space and I'm not interested in putting extra force on the glass.
Question - am I correct that these brackets serve no purpose, structural or otherwise, after the initial installation of the glass? Would it be advisable to bend them down a little more to prevent any future pressure on the glass in case the rust returns?

[Pusherman]

All coaches have rust. Windshields in Winnies do have a history of rusting. If you have a leak, you know where to look based on this thread. Keep up with maintenance and you will do well.

Check out MY thread on fixing rust on my 5 year old Journey. Rust wasn't bad, but needed attention. Stay ahead of the rust, and your coach should last a very long time.

Winter Project on MY Coach