Community Forums

Spikester · 10-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Has anyone else out there been plagued with a drivers side windshield wiper that only makes contact with the windshield on approximately 60% of the stroke. If so what was/is the remedy for this situation.

As the real rainy season is upon us out here in the Pacific Northwest it appears that dealers attempt to fix this problem last spring was inadequate. When driving at speeds above 40MPH the drivers side windshield wiper only cleans about 60% of windshield on its right to left stroke (looking out of the MH), and misses the same portion of the windshield on its return stroke. This makes visibility out of the left portion of the drivers side windshield less than satisfactory, also obstructs the use of left side rear view mirror. Thanks for side view cameras. As the wiper assembly reaches the part of the windshield that starts to curve towards the side the wiper blade assembly is lifted off the windshield by airflow moving over the windshield. If driving in rainy and windy conditions it becomes even less effective. I know I can use Rain-X to help the situation, but that is like putting a band-aid on a 6" knife cut.

Dealer has installed the auxiliary "snuggy" tensioning devices that are supposed to increase the tension on the wiper arms, but they have not solved the problem. They have also tried to adjust the wiper arm assembly to ride more squarely on the windshield surface, but it does not seem to help.

I believe the wiper blade assembly is so large that it acts as a airfoil, as the airflow rolls off the windshield curvature it generates so much lift that it lifts the assembly off the surface. I've noted that on the high line coaches they use a much narrower streamlined wiper blade assembly, I have asked my Service Consultant to check with the Engineers at Newmar to see if the more streamlined wiper blade assemblies are compatible with my installed wiper arms. If so, I have asked them to see if they can install these to see if that cures the problem.

I am on my way to the service center on Monday for my annual running gear service, and to take care of some other minor items before the warranty expires on the 31st. Also having Kingdome Satellite antenna replace with Motosat HD antenna system, the manual switching Kingdome has worn me out!

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Spike

Spikester · 10-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Has anyone else out there been plagued with a drivers side windshield wiper that only makes contact with the windshield on approximately 60% of the stroke. If so what was/is the remedy for this situation.

As the real rainy season is upon us out here in the Pacific Northwest it appears that dealers attempt to fix this problem last spring was inadequate. When driving at speeds above 40MPH the drivers side windshield wiper only cleans about 60% of windshield on its right to left stroke (looking out of the MH), and misses the same portion of the windshield on its return stroke. This makes visibility out of the left portion of the drivers side windshield less than satisfactory, also obstructs the use of left side rear view mirror. Thanks for side view cameras. As the wiper assembly reaches the part of the windshield that starts to curve towards the side the wiper blade assembly is lifted off the windshield by airflow moving over the windshield. If driving in rainy and windy conditions it becomes even less effective. I know I can use Rain-X to help the situation, but that is like putting a band-aid on a 6" knife cut.

Dealer has installed the auxiliary "snuggy" tensioning devices that are supposed to increase the tension on the wiper arms, but they have not solved the problem. They have also tried to adjust the wiper arm assembly to ride more squarely on the windshield surface, but it does not seem to help.

I believe the wiper blade assembly is so large that it acts as a airfoil, as the airflow rolls off the windshield curvature it generates so much lift that it lifts the assembly off the surface. I've noted that on the high line coaches they use a much narrower streamlined wiper blade assembly, I have asked my Service Consultant to check with the Engineers at Newmar to see if the more streamlined wiper blade assemblies are compatible with my installed wiper arms. If so, I have asked them to see if they can install these to see if that cures the problem.

I am on my way to the service center on Monday for my annual running gear service, and to take care of some other minor items before the warranty expires on the 31st. Also having Kingdome Satellite antenna replace with Motosat HD antenna system, the manual switching Kingdome has worn me out!

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Spike

imgoin4it · 10-11-2008, 04:57 AM

I have the same problem with my KSDP with an extra twist. While driving the drivers side wiper extends beyond the curve of the windshield and hangs up. Have burnt out one wiper motor. Same thing happens if the wiper speed is turned up. Wen motor home is not moving the wipers work reasonably well. It's when moving things go wrong. I agree with you in that the wipers appear too big,too heavy,too bulky. They just kind of flop around and do nothing. Mine have failed and frozen now three times. Once while in heavy rain and heavy truck traffic on an interstate. I'm having mine worked on again in next few weeks, but believe they are basically unsafe. Newmar assures me they can fix and that they have had a "few" problems but it is not a big deal. If others consider this a safety problem, one can file a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Can do it over the internet. There are similiar wiper problems discussed on this forum -can do a search and read them.

weinerg · 10-11-2008, 07:44 AM

Spike,
I had a similar problem with my '07 Ventana with the two piece windshield, particularily on the driver's side. I found by loosening the bolts that attach the wiper blade assembly to the arm, just a little, allowed them to float better and did a much better job clearing the windshield. I also use rain x and most times don't even need to turn on the wipers.

Gary in CT
'07 VTDP 3613