Community Forums

LakeKerrGuy · 08-08-2018, 11:41 AM

Two years ago I had a crack in the left side glass. Insurance company found a vendor to replace glass and rubber seal. To replace the seal, the right side glass also had to be removed. While putting it back, the installer broke it. They replaced both sides so I then had two new pieces of glass and a new seal in a 17 year old motor home. Sounds great, right? NO.

When I got home that year, I noticed the right side was popping out along the vertical edge. Contacted the installer who came out to put it back in. However, he said it would continue to pop out and they would not continue to put it back in. Said their guarantee does not cover that because it is a National design flaw.

This year, I noticed a huge wind noise. When I checked, sure enough it was popped. I saw daylight around the seal. I put about a half pound of dum dum in the crack to stop the wind noise and keep the rain out.

Does anyone know a glass installer who is very well versed in this problem on National motor homes? The closer to central Florida the better.

tmw188 · 08-08-2018, 07:02 PM

Did they install it in FL or a cooler part of the country?

LakeKerrGuy · 08-09-2018, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

Did they install it in FL or a cooler part of the country?

Came to my house here in Florida.

dons2346 · 08-10-2018, 10:15 AM

It being a National design flaw is total baloney. I cracked the passenger side on a '99 T'winds and had it replaced. It never popped out.

What cracked my windshield was being to aggressive with the leveling jacks

Scooter · 08-11-2018, 07:22 AM

We had our split windshield replaced a year or more, ago. Went fine....no opposite side breakage. Installer used silicone only to keep in place. Said that National used a different approach on their windshields. He is in OR and does travel.....but not that far. If you are interested... I will dig up our file and you can call him for details. He is a good guy and will be happy to chat......

LakeKerrGuy · 08-11-2018, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

It being a National design flaw is total baloney. I cracked the passenger side on a '99 T'winds and had it replaced. It never popped out.

What cracked my windshield was being to aggressive with the leveling jacks

I have read all the precautions about use of the jacks in the proper sequence to limit the chance of windshield breakage.
I believe rough roads and some of the horrendous parking lots semis use are the cause of my glass popping. Plus railroad crossings...

As far as the baloney, I do not know. I do know I've never heard of the problem from other model owners. Sure wish National had not gone under so we had their input.

10EC · 08-21-2018, 09:28 PM

MY EXPERINCE

WHEN REPLACING MY 7370 WINDSHIELD YOU MUST LEVEL THE COACH. MY "PRO WINDSHIELD SHOP" BROKE THE GOOD ONE WHILE REPLACING THE BAD SIDE. I HAD TOLD HIM THE COACH NEEDED TO BE LEVEL AS ONE HALF THE WINDOW WAS MAYBE 3" OUT OF SQUARE. WAS TOLD MORE OR LESS TO SHUT UP AND BE QUITE AND LET THE PROS DO IT. THEY ALMOST BROKE THE SECOND WINDSHIELD ON SECOND ATTEMPT. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED BODY REPAIR AND WOULD BE 8 WEEKS AND A EXTRA BIG $$$ 3.5K AS ALL CABINETS HAD TO COME OUT TO JACK AND WELD THE COACH SQUARE. I FINALLY TALKED HIM IN TO LETTING ME LEVEL THE COACH JUST TO PASSIFIC ME, NOW HE IS HOLLERING AT ME -STOP, STOP, IT WILL FALL IN PLACE NOW. AT THIS POINT THE COACH IS LEVEL.
I STILL DRIVE BY AND OFTEN SEE 2 OR MORE COACHES SITTING SIDEWAYS AT THAT SHOP, WAITING ON A SECOND GLASS I GUESS.

I HAVE NIGHTMARES AND MY NITRO PILLS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THIS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Plasticman · 08-27-2018, 08:16 AM

I cracked the glass on our Tradewinds due to aggressive leveling 2 years ago. The glass shop in Decatur, AL did our repair. They, too, said both pieces of glass had to be removed to replace the one, but they did it, no problems. No mentions of any issue with the NationalRV design. They did say the two window design was common until 2004 when RV manufacturers learned a one piece window makes the RV more sturdy up front. The glass was from Guardian. Progressive insurance paid for the install (no deductible). We've had not problems since then.

Rob

Theberrys · 08-27-2018, 10:51 AM

Hi
Two things to check. First of course as others have said the leveling procedure. This is the most common problem.

If you still have the 25" Glass tube TV in the overhead then replace it or just remove it. The cantilever causes it to really bounce around also moving the front cap and shaking out the glass.

Dick

LakeKerrGuy · 08-28-2018, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theberrys

Hi
Two things to check. First of course as others have said the leveling procedure. This is the most common problem.

If you still have the 25" Glass tube TV in the overhead then replace it or just remove it. The cantilever causes it to really bounce around also moving the front cap and shaking out the glass.

Dick

I always put front jacks down first and then try very hard to not need to use the rear for side to side leveling.

The monster TV removal was the very first modification done in the motor home. However, the small flat screen bounces around some on the arm. I think I will start removing it before driving.

Back to the original question, does anyone know of a reliable glass installer in the Ocala, Florida area?

bldrbob · 09-06-2018, 08:42 PM

I used Lazydays in Seffron couple times with good luck. Last time we made the mistake of going to Campers world in Summerfield.Their resident "windshield expert" said I needed fiberglass work in the opening.The windshield cracked before I got home 25 miles away on level roads.

Paulers · 09-11-2018, 10:55 PM

My rig had a popped windshield when I got it. Then I broke both when leveling. I added a metal cage, hoop or truss to the front and replaced the heavy tv with a light one.

The installer said they often prop a 2x4 under the tv before removing the windshield because the cap will sag. Also they do the install on level ground but if the glass is not fitting they can twist the chassis with one rear leveler. Then they glue the rubber seal to the glass and cap for strength.

I was planning on adding x members on the frame rails between the cargo pods but never did. So far so good, Lots of class A coaches have windshield issues

Gerald Duerr · 10-10-2018, 02:38 PM

My windshield popped out a few times because of my mistakes. Not from the jacks. I fixed it by pushing the windshield back in place( takes some time). I bought black Eterna Bond tape. Took the inside molding of and cut two pieces tape to fit the outside and inside contours of the windshield. If you do a good job you can't see it on the outside - inside gets covered with the molding. Never had any more problems. That stuff sticks like snot to a screen door. Gerald