Community Forums

gator67 · 08-02-2010, 05:31 PM

I returned to the coach from an errand, only to discover that the fixed lower part of the window behind the passenger chair was shattered. Looking from the outside, there is a small hole and you can see some spidery lines. It's almost like a small rock passed thru the outside pane but didn't make it through to the inside pane. From the inside, you can see that the whole outside pane is shattered but the inside part of the window is in tact. I could not find anything that might have shattered the window. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

"007" · 08-02-2010, 06:21 PM

Could have been a arrant pellet gun shot or BB, haven't had windows hit but compartment doors.
For glass replacement this company maybe what you want.

AFChap · 08-02-2010, 06:27 PM

Weed eater / edger throwing small pebbles can do that easily... also make small nicks in the paint on the side of your RV ...

RVhauler · 08-02-2010, 06:36 PM

Windows are easy to R and R. Take it to a reputable commerical glass company and they should be able to replace the broken piece with tempered glass and if shaded should be able to make a close match. Cost will be about one fifth of a new window. Worked for me. Also when replacing window use the silcone putty tape to seal the window versus the old type putty tape which works out from under the frame and collects dirt

Algoma · 08-02-2010, 09:11 PM

Happened to me while in a secure storage facility. Could have been from a passing train or someone throwing a rack. My outer pane completely shattered though but luckily the inner pane is holding up. Just waiting for a suitable time to take out the frame and hop on down to the glass store as rvhauler suggested. Mine was the sliding pane over the kitchen sink.

gator67 · 08-03-2010, 06:22 AM

"007"... thanks for the lead.

Does anyone know who manufactured the windows for the Alpines? A glass guy came by and said he'd investigate his sources but didn't think he could find a match with the solar stuff on it.

Jim&MaryJo · 08-03-2010, 07:09 AM

Here ya go:

Window Plants

gator67 · 08-03-2010, 03:38 PM

Thank you, Jim&MaryJo.

I contacted the California Window Plant of Hehr International, and they are the ones who made the windows for Western RV. As it turns out, my insurance company works with Duncan RV systems in Elkhart, Indiana, who works with the company in California. They will build me a new window, which will take about four weeks. Duncan RV is where I had the bolts replaced in my chassis, so we will return there in September to have some other things checked, and have the window replaced there at the same time.

This forum is awesome for the collective knowledge of the owners.

Renipladlo · 08-04-2010, 11:00 PM

I believe that the reference to "Silicon putty tape" is in fact Butyl Putty tape, which can be had at almost all RV parts places. Now another tip, the urethane stuff WRV used is susceptible to UV rays and it also bubbles out under the windows if enough heat hits the black frame. Over time this will allow water to sneak in and cause bubbling behind the fiberglass skin - commonly called delaminating!

To prevent this, the windows should be removed and the urethane scraped off the frame, the skin cleaned with alcohol and new butyl putty tape put on the frame and then the window reinstalled. I don't know if any torque values are necessary on the screws which hold them in, but good & hand tight should be enough. Then a very small bead of your choice of outside caulk around the frame will keep those windows watertight for years to come. I have to do this to the bathroom window when I find the time and place to do it. I will work up from the small windows to the large ones and get a couple of helpers to do the largest one because it would be expensive to replace all that glass.