2002 Diplomat Windshield Issues

[Fffrank]

I had new windshields installed by RV Glass Solutions in Elkhart, Indiana in December of 2023. They inspected the seal and did not replace.



In December of 2024 I went to pick up my unit from storage and noticed that both pieces were cracked in the lower outside corners. It was parked on a level concrete pad and did not have the levelers down. I contacted RV Glass to inquire about the warranty and was informed that these were "stress" cracks and were not covered under the 18mo warranty.





I wasn't terribly surprised that it wasn't covered under warranty. Frustrating but what can you do.



I drove the unit and within 5 miles the cracks had expanded considerably.






I then parked it again to have some service done. The service shop called a few days later and said the windshield had basically completely failed.







My insurance agent recommended that I not make another claim (I've had 4 in 3 years for various other vehicles that have received hail damage.) But, how do I get the windshield replaced and have confidence that I'm not going to have this problem again? I can't afford a new windshield every year!

[vito.a]

Some of the Monaco coaches had poor windshield support and Monaco made a retrofit support system for them. I believe these were mostly Camelot models.

For most of us, windshield failure is caused by improper use of leveling jacks and/or driving off uneven surfaces like a curb. If you have leveling jacks make sure to read the owners manual again and follow the directions closely. And avoid those curbs.
Good luck!

[jacwjames]

Here is one of many posts regarding the Halo kit Vito referenced.


https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/halo-kit-392127.html


You can do a search and find more.





What caused the first windshield to fail???


Are you following leveling procedure where you stab the front jack down and lift the coach ~3/4" and then level.

[Fffrank]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

Here is one of many posts regarding the Halo kit Vito referenced.


https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/halo-kit-392127.html


You can do a search and find more.





What caused the first windshield to fail???


Are you following leveling procedure where you stab the front jack down and lift the coach ~3/4" and then level.

The first windshield suffered from rock chips and impact failure. There were no stress cracks.



I am diligent about my levelers and the order that I do them in. I did have a bad rear air bag which would cause the passenger rear side of the coach to sag overnight (even if I had dumped all of the air once parked.) I have since had that repaired. It's possible that could have contributed to the failure but the local RV shop told me that it shouldn't have been enough twist to cause an issue.

[shootist]

A friend's septre had 5 windshields crack. One before the coach ever moved. The headliner and underlying plywood was a half to 3/4" an inch too long. Once a glass shop had him cut it back the problem stopped

[Fffrank]

Originally Posted by shootist

A friend's septre had 5 windshields crack. One before the coach ever moved. The headliner and underlying plywood was a half to 3/4" an inch too long. Once a glass shop had him cut it back the problem stopped

Any chance you can find out which shop?

[shootist]

Originally Posted by Fffrank

Any chance you can find out which shop?

Out of ventura ca. recommended by the glass sellers in Oregon, call them for a recommendation in your area

[karencollins]

We had 2 windshields on our 06 Diplomat replaced by them. Both did the same thing. Had the RV checked to make sure it wasn't a halo problem, it wasn't. 3rd windshield, not done there, has been fine.

[Fffrank]

Originally Posted by karencollins

We had 2 windshields on our 06 Diplomat replaced by them. Both did the same thing. Had the RV checked to make sure it wasn't a halo problem, it wasn't. 3rd windshield, not done there, has been fine.

Would love to know who installed #3? I won't be going back to them.

[karencollins]

Pretty sure it was done at REV in Indiana. It was a number of years ago. Now the seal around it is leaking. I would NEVER have anything done at that place again. A leaking windshield seal is the least of the problems they left us with. By the time we got home, we had more problems than we started with.

[Fffrank]

Originally Posted by karencollins

Pretty sure it was done at REV in Indiana. It was a number of years ago. Now the seal around it is leaking. I would NEVER have anything done at that place again. A leaking windshield seal is the least of the problems they left us with. By the time we got home, we had more problems than we started with.

I had them get me a quote and it was triple the price. And they had a 6-month wait to get on the schedule and wouldn't allow me to overnight there while it was being done.


I asked the service writer why the significantly higher price and he was borderline rude about "the price is the price" and seemed too busy to want to talk to me.


I knew I'd never work with them so appreciate the reassurance!