Death pop!

[Drifter]

We just pulled into the KOA in Las Cruces NM. First we adjusted our spot so the slides would not hit the trees and then slides went out. I thought that it needed a little leveling so I engaged the auto level system. We noticed a pop sound, but could not find where it came from until the next morning when I decided to clean the windshield. The term Death pop relates to a cracked windshield while leveling. Oh well...stuff happens. Keep telling yourself that. But we love our coach no matter what happens. I know im not alone.

[Drifter]

We just pulled into the KOA in Las Cruces NM. First we adjusted our spot so the slides would not hit the trees and then slides went out. I thought that it needed a little leveling so I engaged the auto level system. We noticed a pop sound, but could not find where it came from until the next morning when I decided to clean the windshield. The term Death pop relates to a cracked windshield while leveling. Oh well...stuff happens. Keep telling yourself that. But we love our coach no matter what happens. I know im not alone.

[Robin_M]

Drifter,

Ohhh, that's NOT a good sound to hear. I'm really sorry it happened to you. According to reports I've read from others, Monaco does seem to be replacing the windshield under warranty when that happens.

After reading several similar reports to the one you just posted, and after noticing on my coach how erratically the automatic leveling system seems to work, actually jerking the motorhome from side to side at times, I resolved, some time ago, never to use mine again. I now do it manually, dumping the air first, and always making sure that my front jack is firmly on the ground to act as a pivot point before leveling any further. Then before retracting the jacks, I fill the air bags first. So far, knock on wood, it's worked for me.

[Flyer]

Mike
I know the sound! My windshield popped when I made a turn on an unlevel surface this past summer. Monaco covered the replacement--reluctantly. I just returned from a trip from Montana where I heard the windshield squeaking in it's gasket. I called Monaco and they said squeaking is not normal and to be sure the rubber gasket is glued to the fiberglass frame and to the windshield. I found it was glued only to the frame. The installer, against his better judgement, is going to glue the windshield to the rubber gasket tomorrow. I'm now paranoid about panavisions and am thinking a huge picture window on an RV is a liability.

[Drifter]

Thanks for the info on the windshield. I'll make sure to follow your lead on leveling and install. Thanks again

[redeldo]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm now paranoid about panavisions and am thinking a huge picture window on an RV is a liability. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Morning! Hate to hear about all the windshields dying and the above statement made me wonder if it is possible to convert the full windshield to 2 regular panels? Maybe be a silly question but thought I would ask as we are looking at a Monaco.

[Billy Willard]

I have a 07 Camelot, & would sure convert to a 2 piece windshield if it was possible -- This panoramitic(sp)thing is not a good idea -- The windshield is to heavy, & the coach has to much movement -- Bill Willard

[Pusherpilot]

Since Monaco is sticking with the panoramic windshield the number of replacements out there will increase to the point of them getting cheaper and possibly creating an after market supplier other than Monaco. The one in my coach 04 Imperial is broken and I note that it was made in Italy. The style has since changed and the guy across the street with a 06 Scepters windshield is made in the USA. They are not the same windshield, a different shape altogether. I certainly would love to have been the fly on the wall when the engineering specs were presented for this one-piece idea!! I suspect that it amounts to, "if you never move the coach it'll be OK".

Ron

[abray]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Drifter:
We just pulled into the KOA in Las Cruces NM. First we adjusted our spot so the slides would not hit the trees and then slides went out. I thought that it needed a little leveling so I engaged the auto level system. We noticed a pop sound, but could not find where it came from until the next morning when I decided to clean the windshield. The term Death pop relates to a cracked windshield while leveling. Oh well...stuff happens. Keep telling yourself that. But we love our coach no matter what happens. I know im not alone. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I guess this answeres my question of the other day. I have owned my Cayman 14 weeks and the windshield has been out twice, once because it had cracked.

[ronboc]

Not gonna tell you how many crated-windshields (both new and ... uhh.. "used") I saw at Camp Monaco last month, but it was a sobering sight.

Guess there's 2 kinds of Monaco-owners: "Those that have a broken windshield and those that will".

At least Monaco (from most reports) is standing behind replacements.


Good luck to everyone.

[Sixpack98]

Ron,
Were you able to ascertain from anyone at Camp Monaco if all models with single windshield are subject to breaking? I had heard that the Camalot had the biggest problem. When I had my fiasco with Monaco about my windshield popping loose at the corner Monaco Tech Support said the Diplomat/Endeavor were not prone to break from chassis stress. I think he caught on that I did not believe him when I started laughing. I had the windshield reset and resealed (on my dime) but it sounds like I may have a time bomb.

[ronboc]

No real feel for it, Mark. Everything is anecdotal that I've heard. And I doubt we'll ever know the final tally, other than the Camelot/Scepter does seem to be more prone to it - probably because of the squared-off edges of the windshield itself (vs the more-rounded ones on most other models).

[Robin_M]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ronboc:
Guess there's 2 kinds of Monaco-owners: "Those that have a broken windshield and those that will".

At least Monaco (from most reports) is standing behind replacements. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Ron,
I've seen reports of warranty replacements, but my concern is what is Monaco going to do after the first year is up? Anyone know of cases where Monaco has replaced windshields on out of warranty coaches?