Community Forums

BComp61 · 05-15-2022, 02:01 PM

I know that there has been some issues with Newmar windows in the past, but has anyone heard of a passenger side (or driver side for that matter) window that essentially explodes? We were returning from a trip this past Friday and on the home stretch when we hear a loud bang and the passenger window - fixed, not the sliding window - shatters. It looked like the "blast" center was a small area behind the side mirror, so lower left quadrant. You could see that the shatter pattern emanated from that spot. The secondary interior pane did not shatter. There was very little traffic and no cars immediately around us and no road debris. My wife said her first thought was it sounded like a gunshot. Needless to say, it really scared her to have it shatter so close to her.

My guess is that there was defect in the glass that weakened. Disappointing in that it is a 2022 Canyon Star and that, as mentioned earlier, Newmar has had window issues in the recent past.

Second question, has anyone had a problem with the dash A/C going out suddenly and taking both the radio/navi screen and the video screen with it? Those three components all went out simultaneously on this trip as well. Good news is that they all came back on within a minute or so, but to especially lose the rear view camera feed, while in a traffic jam is disconcerting to saw the least. I saw one other thread about this issue on a 2019 CS but no real resolution.

TIA!

Bobby Dowdle · 05-15-2022, 02:43 PM

Glad to hear everyone is safe and no one was hurt. That’s what’s important.
The window issues are not Newmar specific issues. Its the manufacturer of the windows issue. These same windows are used in all brands of coaches. All RV manufacturers are dealing with a widow recall. But that’s for a different type of window. The window could have had a defect like you said or something could have hit it along the way and it not been noticeable. Either way you need to contact your selling dealer or any NIRVC to have the window submitted for warranty replacement.
On the radio/dash ac issues, it sounds like it could be a ground wire. For everything to go out at once and then come back, that would be where I would start. Should be a main ground lug outside on the firewall and one under the drivers area at the fuse panel. That can also be addressed under warranty while the window is being replaced.

amosnandy · 05-15-2022, 03:04 PM

My experience is these issues happen on all makes and models of motorhomes.

You just hear more about Newmar because the owners spent so much money and expect a lot more than other coach owners do.

It is possible that there was a defect in the window. It is also possible that the window either had or got a small scratch in it. I have worked with tempered glass for years in the auto, van, RV, and truck industries. Often when a glass shatters like that there is no logical explanation, but if a close inspection was done prior to the incident a scratch or a defect might have been visible. The same thing happens with windshields. A small rock chip might be there for years. Then one day the right combination of heat, vibration, a bump or just washing it will cause the window to crack. No apparent reason.

As for the electrical problems, I've been hearing more about them since Covid hit. Either plants were short-staffed, people got moved around to different jobs, new hires. Etc.

I wanted to upgrade my 12v outlets in the driver's compartment on my 06 Winnebago. When I took the dash cover off to run a new wire I saw a mess. Since the only changes ever made by the previous owners were a satellite radio upgrade and a new backup camera monitor. My son who is a wiring wiz and builds high dollar street rods and customs couldn't take it. In a couple of hours he had all the runs figured out, labeled, neatened up and all the poor quality connectors replaced. I just get out of his way when that is going on

BComp61 · 05-16-2022, 11:20 AM

Hi...thank you for the replies. I'm aware that it isn't just a Newmar issue but apparently an issue with QC at the manufacturers. If everyone is dealing with a window recall, that is problematic IMO.

"You just hear more about Newmar because the owners spent so much money and expect a lot more than other coach owners do." Exactly! Expectations should, rightfully, be higher. It's their name that people remember, not the name of the window manufacturer...that said, are they still using Lippert?

There are certain things that one can expect to happen in a RV. Driving down the road and have a SIDE window explode like it did isn't one of them. If it wasn't for the inner glass, my wife could have been seriously hurt. And, yes, that she wasn't is obviously the most important thing.

Fortunately, these are warranty items that are being covered.

Dutch Star Don · 05-16-2022, 12:03 PM

I've had an 18-month-old window fog and had to be replaced, but I highly doubt that your window issue has anything to do with quality control. From your description, it sounds like debris struck the side of your mirror housing and hit the window. These big windshields and mirrors get hit with a lot of stuff.

BComp61 · 05-17-2022, 05:26 PM

There was no indication of anything hitting the side of the mirror housing and ricocheting into the window. One of the first things they checked was the mirror housing. It was submitted to Newmar and they refused to cover it. I can understand it if it was the front window but not the side window blowing out.

Tegu · 05-17-2022, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BComp61

I know that there has been some issues with Newmar windows in the past, but has anyone heard of a passenger side (or driver side for that matter) window that essentially explodes? We were returning from a trip this past Friday and on the home stretch when we hear a loud bang and the passenger window - fixed, not the sliding window - shatters. It looked like the "blast" center was a small area behind the side mirror, so lower left quadrant. You could see that the shatter pattern emanated from that spot. The secondary interior pane did not shatter. There was very little traffic and no cars immediately around us and no road debris. My wife said her first thought was it sounded like a gunshot. Needless to say, it really scared her to have it shatter so close to her.

TIA!

So what makes you think that your wife’s first thought was wrong? You say that the “shatter pattern emanated from that spot” , I don’t know that you can rule that thought out. If this was indeed a bullet that didn’t penetrate the glass, it was very fortunate that nobody was hurt.

dp7 · 05-17-2022, 11:52 PM

Had a similar experience with the drivers side cockpit window. We were on I40 with no vehicles near us when the outside pane of the cockpit window exploded. Fortunately the inside pane remained intact. There was no indication of anything ricocheting off the adjacent mirror. Never did determine the root cause, but don't think it was debris from another vehicle.

BComp61 · 05-19-2022, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dp7

Had a similar experience with the drivers side cockpit window. We were on I40 with no vehicles near us when the outside pane of the cockpit window exploded. Fortunately the inside pane remained intact. There was no indication of anything ricocheting off the adjacent mirror. Never did determine the root cause, but don't think it was debris from another vehicle.

That's EXACTLY what happened to us. Also, it looks almost identical to what remained on ours. And, yes, we were fortunate that the inside pane stayed intact.

BComp61 · 05-19-2022, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegu

So what makes you think that your wife’s first thought was wrong?

Based on where we were when it occurred. No vehicles around us at the time leaving the only option being someone practicing being a sniper on a tall building some distance away. Chances of that are slim and none....and Slim has left town.

Best guess and most logical conclusion is that there was a tiny defect in the glass...small air bubble perhaps. The coach is less than a year old.

UMXHAULER · 05-19-2022, 04:11 PM

Just thinking out loud here, but I wonder if some of this could be due to a rigid piece of glass being installed on a big box that is flexing all the time. I know that when we hit some bumps, I am just waiting for something to come flying off the rig. These thinks are not that stiff at all. Luckily it's all safety glass so it's unlikely anyone would be hurt much if one did come apart.

truk4u · 05-20-2022, 06:18 AM

Mine is fogged, 6 months old and 4400 miles.

Mark3101 · 05-22-2022, 08:15 AM

My passenger window was fogged at delivery to the dealer when new. They made arrangements with Newmar to get it done at my June appointment. It comes and goes with temps and sun exposure.

This is not anything new...I had the same thing on two Prevost coaches prior to this one. One XLII and one H3-45 in the entry door. Both of those were under warranty as is this one.