Windshield replaced

[MargoB]

We bought a 2005 Mountain Aire that needed the rubber gasket replaced around the windshield. We order one from Newmar and went today to have the gasket replaced. The window repair people removed our windshield put on the new gasket and when they went to put the windshields back they said that the whole for the windshield is too big now and we will need to have fiberglass work done in order to get the windshiels to fit correctly. They said it is a common problem with newmar products that Newmar makes the whole for the windshield too big and when it is replaced you never can fit it back in correctly.

Has anyone heard of this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions. We now have a windshield that is not safe because it does not fit correctly and has not been glued into the gasket.

[MargoB]

We bought a 2005 Mountain Aire that needed the rubber gasket replaced around the windshield. We order one from Newmar and went today to have the gasket replaced. The window repair people removed our windshield put on the new gasket and when they went to put the windshields back they said that the whole for the windshield is too big now and we will need to have fiberglass work done in order to get the windshiels to fit correctly. They said it is a common problem with newmar products that Newmar makes the whole for the windshield too big and when it is replaced you never can fit it back in correctly.

Has anyone heard of this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions. We now have a windshield that is not safe because it does not fit correctly and has not been glued into the gasket.

[Max Hubrich]

Margo--

Check out this post by OBISO--

Windshield separating from Cap

[Obispo]

We are on our way to Camp Newmar for a March 3rd appointment to fix the winshield problem. It has been fixed under warranty twice before with over 5000 dollars worth of warranty work done in Bessemer Alabama. We chose to take it to the factory because the repairmen told us they cut some inner woodwork to "make" the cap fit better. It "blew out" about 800 miles later. As previously posted we duct taped it and continued to travel. We have put about 4000 additional miles on as the "duct tape express" and with a few retaping incidents it is holding. I suggest to keep your ladder handy and a roll of industrial strength grey duct tape. I am convinced it will not fall in or out as we have not been very careful with our speed. We are confused however with the design flaw and will be very aware of the repair process and will post it this week under the post. Our factory warranty runs out in October and we want to make sure is it fixed properly.

Windshield separating from Cap

["007"]

Welcome MargoB to the Newmar forum and irv2.
Congrats on your Newmar sorry to hear about windshield problem. Although it has happened on older model years you and Obiso are both 05 MADP's with same problem.
I'm not sure Newmar makes the front and rear caps they maybe produced by outside MFG.
Someone has got the measurements wrong for opening or the size of the windshield glass.
We should all know next week when they look at Obiso's.
Until than please enjoy the forums and do post often.

[NSXER]

Have owners of '06,'07 &'08's had any windshield issues?

Thanks!

[txwino]

Hello NSXER:

Welcome to irv2. I just had my windshield replaced due to a stress crack on the inside pane. Had it done at a dealership in Missouri and it appears they did a great job. It took the best part of two full days to get it done. When the old one came out, you could see a chip in the edge of the glass where the crack started from - looked like the previous installer took some sort of tool and tried to pry a bit at that point......This is a one piece windshield and it's pretty big and heavy - about 400 pounds.

Look forward to hearing more from you and others on this site. It is a great source of RV related information.

[NSXER]

Thanks txwino (great name BTW) so was this the original windshield?

Prior to finding this forum about Newmar, I thought Country Coach/Foretravel etc. was the only way to go. It's apparent that you get a lot for your money the w/Newmar products. My concern with all the brands is reliability and service to back the product up.

[CSX4350]

Heya wino, I've got to know, what was the cost for the windshield? My best SWAG is ~$3000, I'm wondering how far off I am.

At the rate I'm going I'll need a new one within a year. Everytime I go anywhere I get another good rock chip. I think the last one was intentionally done by someone throwing something from a pickup that passed me.

[txwino]

NSXER - Yes, it was the original windshield. Picked up the coach in Nappanee in early Dec. Drove it to TX for a month and a half and then to South Padre, TX for the first 3 wks of Feb. 4 days after leveling with the jacks in South Padre one evening, my wife heard what sounded like a shot (I wasn't in the coach at the time). The next morning I saw the crack, from the bottom of the windshield to the top, starting about a foot in from the driver's side corner and running vertically to the top of the windshield - looked like a snake. The crack was in the inner pane. At the time, it seemed pretty obviously a stress crack.

I contacted the dealer who I had purchased from and took it there - Coachlight RV Sales, in Carthage, MO (multiple outstanding service award winning dealership). The replacement was covered under warranty so CSX4350, there was no cost to me. Having said that, I did ask what it would have cost me and without getting a specific answer, I was told in the $3000-$3500 range so you are pretty close. My guess is that the dealer cost for the glass is about half that. As I said before, it took one man two full days and actually a bit into the third day to remove, prepare the site, and replace the glass. Coachlight has just one man that does windshield replacement.

I will say that I shared your concern for reliability and service when I was RV shopping. I purchased my first Newmar, a 2006 EXDP from Coachlight after I had done a lot of research about multiple brands and dealerships. I couldn't be happier with Newmar, or Coachlight. For that matter, I should also include Spartan. Unfortunately, I was one of several that had numerous cooling issues with my 06 EXDP (towed 4 times); the same issue with the cooling system that has had many postings on this site. In the end, Spartan, Newmar, and Coachlight could not have been more cooperative and helpful in standing behind their product and working with us to find a fair and reasonable solution.

CSX4350, I share your concern for chips in the glass. I had the DiamonFusion treatment done to the windshield in my 06 EXDP. Thought it would protect me from those many chips and potential cracks. Problem was that when I got a chip that needed attention (the installer said they would repair chips free if I contacted him immediately). When I got one, I attempted to contact him - multiple times over several weeks - and when he finally got back to me he said I had to call the company and tell them I got the chip within the last 24 hours or they would not fix it. In addition, I think I got more chips after the treatment than before - perhaps some of them might have been cracks if not treated. I was pretty disappointed in the service and not too impressed with the product - especially for the $1200 or so that it cost me. Won't be doing that with this new coach.

[Road Pilot]

We had a stress crack in our original windshield a couple of months ago.

Was replaced at Tom Johnson by glass subcontractor. They broke first replacement. Second replacement is in and works but trim has fallen off. Duct tape is over the seam now. Scheduled to have factory fix it in July.