Windshield gap on '98 Southwind?

ddbass · 03-02-2008, 05:44 PM

I'm in the market for our first Class A (gas) and I've been looking mostly at used Bounders, Southwinds, and a Flair or 2. All seem pretty similar. I'm hoping to aim for one from the mid-late 1990's, as I balance the age/mileage/budget. First question I guess should be are there particular years when something improved significantly? Like fuel injection, or overdrive trans? Any advice like "try to stay above a 1992 because after that they did..." or "stay away from a 19xx" for whatever reason. I'm leaning toward the Chevy chassis, but would like advice on either the Chev or Ford. Perhaps this info is well archived so point me in the right direction.

I've got my eye on a beautiful '98 Southwind, Chev 454, OD trans that an older couple has for sale here locally. It is immaculate! Mileage is 44k with good maintenance records, really anything I'd want. But in the upper outboard corners of the windshields there are big gaps between the rubber molding holding the glass and the body, a good inch wide and 3"+ long around the corner. I pointed out the one on the passenger side and he said he would look into getting it repaired. Looking at the driver's side that one also had a gap that had an older silicon repair, yellowed and cracked. It needs to be fixed again. Other than that this one is a creampuff.

So Fleetwood fans, is this a common problem on these models? Is there a fix? Any experiences out there? Advice?

Thanks in advance.

ddbass · 03-02-2008, 05:44 PM

I'm in the market for our first Class A (gas) and I've been looking mostly at used Bounders, Southwinds, and a Flair or 2. All seem pretty similar. I'm hoping to aim for one from the mid-late 1990's, as I balance the age/mileage/budget. First question I guess should be are there particular years when something improved significantly? Like fuel injection, or overdrive trans? Any advice like "try to stay above a 1992 because after that they did..." or "stay away from a 19xx" for whatever reason. I'm leaning toward the Chevy chassis, but would like advice on either the Chev or Ford. Perhaps this info is well archived so point me in the right direction.

I've got my eye on a beautiful '98 Southwind, Chev 454, OD trans that an older couple has for sale here locally. It is immaculate! Mileage is 44k with good maintenance records, really anything I'd want. But in the upper outboard corners of the windshields there are big gaps between the rubber molding holding the glass and the body, a good inch wide and 3"+ long around the corner. I pointed out the one on the passenger side and he said he would look into getting it repaired. Looking at the driver's side that one also had a gap that had an older silicon repair, yellowed and cracked. It needs to be fixed again. Other than that this one is a creampuff.

So Fleetwood fans, is this a common problem on these models? Is there a fix? Any experiences out there? Advice?

Thanks in advance.

ddbass · 03-02-2008, 06:51 PM

Hmmm. Look what I found. This looks it's not an uncommon problem.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid...a/pging/1/page/1.cfm

peggysue · 03-02-2008, 07:28 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ddbass:
I'm in the market for our first Class A (gas) and I've been looking mostly at used Bounders, Southwinds, and a Flair or 2. All seem pretty similar. I'm hoping to aim for one from the mid-late 1990's, as I balance the age/mileage/budget. First question I guess should be are there particular years when something improved significantly? Like fuel injection, or overdrive trans? Any advice like "try to stay above a 1992 because after that they did..." or "stay away from a 19xx" for whatever reason. I'm leaning toward the Chevy chassis, but would like advice on either the Chev or Ford. Perhaps this info is well archived so point me in the right direction.

I've got my eye on a beautiful '98 Southwind, Chev 454, OD trans that an older couple has for sale here locally. It is immaculate! Mileage is 44k with good maintenance records, really anything I'd want. But in the upper outboard corners of the windshields there are big gaps between the rubber molding holding the glass and the body, a good inch wide and 3"+ long around the corner. I pointed out the one on the passenger side and he said he would look into getting it repaired. Looking at the driver's side that one also had a gap that had an older silicon repair, yellowed and cracked. It needs to be fixed again. Other than that this one is a creampuff.

So Fleetwood fans, is this a common problem on these models? Is there a fix? Any experiences out there? Advice?

Thanks in advance. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

peggysue · 03-02-2008, 07:43 PM

WE HAD A 95 CLASS A SOUTHWIND WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD NO MATTER WHAT WE DID IT STILL LEAKED AND OPENED UP ON THE EDGES. WHEN WE TRADED IT THE GAP WAS ALMOST 1/2 INCHES ON BOTH CORNERS. WAS TOLD AFTER THAT IT WAS A BOO BOO ON THE COMPANY AND THAT THE OPENNING FOR THE WINDSHEILD DID NOT FIT THE GLASS. AND SOMETIMES THE GLASS COULD FALL OUT OR IN.

Jack Myton · 03-03-2008, 08:41 AM

I am more familiar with Discovery where some early models had 'popping out' or loose windshields. The problem was that the installation used a floating system and when the body flexed too much, while leveling, the top corners would loosen or even pop out. The windshields are supposed to be larger than the openings, but the windshield has to be installed with a proper bonding mastic. Also some coaches, depending on their construction would need 'paco beam welding' or even bracing under the windshield. I suspect that a proper removal and reinstall with the proper compound by an experienced glazier will provide the cure. Don't buy the unit until it has been repaired properly. Good luck, as some of these coaches are true classics.

Hillbilly2 · 03-07-2008, 01:32 PM

Definetly go with fuel injection, when I was shopping for my class A, all of the ones that I tried with carbs were hard to start, ran rough even when warmed up. Should get better fuel economy with fuel injection also. Since fuel injection is pretty much a closed system, they tend not to varnish up and have mechanical parts stick as bad either. I know everybody likes to get low mileage vehicles, but not driving one can be worse on the mechanicals than a medium to high mileage one.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 03-08-2008, 03:38 PM

That vintage of Fleetwood gassers (and many others as well) had problems keeping the windshield in place. The front cap flexes a bit too easily and stresses of leveling (especially if the front was raised high) would twist it loose. The good news is that any decent windshield shop can fit it back in easily - I had it done once on the 96 Southwind we used to have. Only took about 30 minutes, so it's not even expensive.

Filling the gap with caulk is a waste of time - get it fixed right at a glass shop.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 03-08-2008, 03:45 PM

In those years I would choose for the Ford chassis over the Chevy. Chevy had been neglecting their RV chassis for several years (they finally sold it off to Workhorse in '99) and there were known problems (such as a crappy bell crank in the steering) that they simply didn't bother to fix. Ford was doing a bit better, trying to update their chassis to match the needs of the RV builders, who made longer and heavier rigs every year. The Ford 460 of that era was a strong engine, every bit as good or maybe better than the 454, and at least a Ford dealer will still work on the them. Chevy dealers generally don't want anything to do with the old Chevy RV chassis.

This is not a Chevy bashing - I'm partial to GM in most things automotive - but I really think the Ford is a better choice for Rvs in the 1995-2000 time frame.