Windshield Wipers

[DLane]

It appears that many lower end DP coaches switched from two-piece to one-piece windshields in 2008. I've noticed that the windshield wipers for each type of windshield are quite different.

With a two-piece windshield, the wipers are stored in a vertical position in the middle of the windshield. With a one piece windshield, the blades are stored in a horizontal position below the windshield. The wiper mechanizm on the two-piece windshield appears to be more substantial and may cover more windshield area than the blades on a one-piece windshield.

Could anyone comment on the pros and cons of these two versions of wipers and on the windshields themselves.

Thanks,

Don

[moldmkr]

Can't comment on the ruggedness of the blade mechanism but we have one piece windshield and we really enjoy not having the center post to block our view as we are traveling. Another thing it is going to be much more expensive to replace a single piece windshield should we ever have to. I guess that is why you have insurance.

[Spikester]

The large one piece windshield really is nice compared to the 2 piece windshields with either a large or small center post. The combination of a large one piece windshield and the reduced size cabinets for the center, ceiling mounted LCD HD TV's is really, really nice. You really have a lot more visibility, so much more light, so much more than the older configurations. Reducing the size of the center, ceiling mount, TV cabinetry is a real key to increasing the visibility.

As for the wiper arm assemblies:
Our Safari had a 2 piece windshield with the "more substantial" "vertical position" wiper arm assembly that performed well. Our HR Admiral had a 2 piece windshield also but with the "horizontal position" wiper arms, the wiper assembly coverage was more than adequate, but we had problems with the wiper assemblies partially lifting off the windshield in windy conditions at highway speeds. Our Newmar Ventana has the one piece windshield, with the "horizontal position" wiper arms, again the iper assembly coverage is more than adequate, but we are also experiencing problems with the wiper assemblies lifting off the windshield at highway speeds, regardless of the wind conditions. Our problem seems to be isolated case though, our dealer service center is working with Newmar to resolve our situation.

The one thing about the "horizontal position" wiper arms is they clean more of the lower portion of the window, so it is easier to see directly in front of you during extreme weather, the "vertical position" wiper arms clear the center portion of the windshield.

Spike

[h moffitt]

Your's is not an isolated case. The one piece windshield wipers have a problem lifting off the glass as the blade gets to the curvature of the windshield. I am getting my wiper problem fixed for the fourth time next month. I hope it will be the last.

[Spikester]

DLane, don't mean to steal your thread, sorry.

h moffitt,

Service center currently has my coach, one thing they are working on is the wiper assembly lift problem. I will let you know what they came up with as a fix and its effectiveness.

I asked our service consultant to check to see if the wiper blade assembly they use on there Hi-Line products will fit my wiper arms. This wiper blade assembly is about 1/3 the size of the installed assembly. I think the problem lies in the metal structure that holds the wiper blades, it is so big, and so stiff, that it acts as a sail when it approaches the curvature of the windshield lifting the wipers off the windshield. I have contemplated drilling some small holes that structure to see if that will let any air getting trapped under the assembly to pass through.

Spike

[h moffitt]

It would be very interesting to see how many people have this problem and to see how (IF) they are fixed. The second time mine "went" the closest service center refused to look at them. Newmar cust service said they would talk to them and get back to me. Never heard back from Newmar. Paid to have them fixed by an independant dealer. Still do not work. Newmar says that the tech that is assignred to work on them must call Newmar. That is now supposed to happen mid Nov. I'll post hbow this all comes out.

[No 1 Rat]

We just took possession of our brand new 2009 DSDP on the 10th of December.
Driving across TX and NM heading toward Christmas in CA we also discovered that the windshield wipers do, indeed, have a problem at anything over about 25 MPH.

When the driver’s wiper approaches the left side of the windshield it is already being lifted by the wind force and when it gets caught by wind passing around the window edge it is pulled all the way around the corner. Since the driving mechanism doesn’t stop the blade is forcefully jerked back and gets bent in the process.

I thought that if the blade didn’t travel as close to the left edge it might not get caught and pulled around the corner. I tried to move the splined attachment point down one spline but that moves so far the blade now rests across the seal at the bottom of the windshield which is also unacceptable.

h moffitt, have you gotten any new solutions to the problem?

[Jetsmania]

Hi! On our new coach, the blade is a like a contour rubber thing. It fits the windshield very well. It is probably 30% less in size then the regular blades that were on our 07 MADP (same size windshield). Paul

[Spikester]

Woody;
Our dealership solved our wind-lift problems by installing the below wiper blade assembly:



This is working well for us, although we were not experiencing enough wind-lift that the blade got caught and pulled around the corner. May help with your wind-lift problem. These assemblies are manufactured by TRU-Vision (an Elkhart IN company), they also make a wiper blade assembly similar to the one that the Jets Man has described.

Spike

[Route 66]

High line coaches now use a one piece wiper blade.

I believe it is the Anco Contour.

My GMC Yukon uses the same style and I really like them.

Paul, have you had to use the wipers yet?

I'm really curious as to how well they work on the BIG windshield on the left side of travel, as that's where the problem is.

Here's a picture of the new style blade on a highline coach.

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Paul, have you had to use the wipers yet? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! Um yes! They are great in the rain, once snow and ice build up on them they are lousy. The wipers sit so low when not running, the defrost does not help them. All the slush slides down on top of them, and then they streak. If you run them full blast, most of the junk flies off. The pic you took matches the blades I have. I purchased spare inserts when at Newmar. They are very soft rubber type, and lay in a half moon position when not on the blade. Paul

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">They are great in the rain, once snow and ice build up on them they are lousy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Glad to hear the new design is an improvement.

Use in snow and ice is considered operator misuse by a lot of us, especially here in Florida.

[h moffitt]

The wipers on our KSDP are finally "fixed" after the forth attempt. I am convinced that as designed and installed they will never work very well. Having said, they sweep some of the window. Depending on speed and wind they still tend to lift as they approach the drivers side of the windshield, they will not sweep far enough to use the drivers rear view mirror nor do they extend far enough to the passenger side to use that mirror. When I say they are "fixed" it means that the wipers go back and forth on some of the window with out getting stuck and stopping. Still looks like they are way too heavy and on the high way they tend to look like they are flopping around somewhat-the operation is by no means a precision sweep as has been on cars and trucks since the 1950's. I haven't seen all the 08 and later models of Newmars motor homes but at least the 08 DSDP one piece windshield is a much straighter windshield and does not have the deep curve on the left and right side. Looks like it has a better chance of having a decent wiper system. I just hope mine keep on "working" like they do at the moment,

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I am convinced that as designed and installed they will never work very well </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can't argue with that!