Community Forums

Bargeloh · 03-09-2019, 12:30 PM

Hello all, I have a 2008 Newmar Ventana 39 foot motorhome. I bought it with under 50,000 miles two years ago from a couple in AR. They said they had just replaced the windshield. It looked great. But then, around 5,000 thousand miles and six months later a crack appeared on the passenger side from top to bottom. No bumps, no twisting. We continued to drive it for another 20,000+ miles over the next year. Last week I finally took it to a local shop in Durham NC to have it replaced.

They called, the NEW windshield broke in the lower right corner while trying to put it in and they can’t get the upper left (driver side) in at all. You can get your finger through for about 10+ inches! They said sorry, call your insurance company. Now I have it back but not usable.

We have never crashed or even twisted it as far as I know. Anybody hear of this? Does someone know an expert at replacing windshields? (And, in necessary adjust) I live in the Raleigh / Durham area but can take it (slowly) elsewhere.

Thanks, Tom

Blufox · 03-09-2019, 12:46 PM

Without question, call NEWMAR, make an appointment and have it done correctly . If covered by your insurance, you will need to contact the adjuster informing him the manufacturer will be doing the replacement. Our appointment is 9 September unless we experience further failure requiring earlier service

marjoa · 03-09-2019, 12:54 PM

They obviously don't know what they're doing and probably had ordered wrong windshield. If you were in RGV I could recommend someone good, but not in NC.

Also when the new windshield is delivered, the first thing a good installer will do is to carefully inspect the entire edge and look for any defects, chips or whatever. This is important. The guy down the street from us when we were in RGV had his replaced. The first two windshields the installer rejected them. It wasn't until the 3rd one they got a good one and then he installed it.

lllkrob · 03-09-2019, 01:11 PM

Contact these folks, they are specialist in RV glass replacement and can arrange for a qualified installer near you.

https://www.rvglass.com/

theroc · 03-09-2019, 05:51 PM

Yes, it may be ideal to take it to Nappanee but if you can't go that far with a broken/cracked windshield--I believe it's almost a 12 hour drive from where you are?-- and you can't get Newmar over the phone to recommend somewhere in your area to have it done properly, then I'd start researching body shops that specialize in RV collision work as you may need more than just a windshield installer's skills to get the job done in the correct manner.

I know of an excellent shop in Wilmington but even that's a two hour drive from the Raleigh/Durham area, correct?

But if you think you can make it to Wilmington and you can't find a good RV body shop in your area, the shop I'm referring to is:

Mike's Body & Frame Shop Inc
aka, Mike's Collision Center ...website go HERE
1716 Castle Hayne RD
Wilmington NC 28401

(910) 762-8963

And according to their webstie, they do have hookups so you can stay overnight or maybe longer if needed.

The reason I make the recommendation of a body shop instead of a windshield replacement service is that it sounds to me that you may have something else going on than just a lousy windshield installer or them not ordering the correct windshield. But maybe not. Again, Newmar may be able to direct you to a windshield/glass shop in your area that knows what they are doing or you might find a good glass shop from the suggestions you are getting on this thread that can do it properly.

Cfyanes1 · 03-10-2019, 08:30 PM

We just had our replaced, there was a 5-6” gap on top right corner, I worked the levelers on the coach & with some grunt work and tapping the installer got er in!

**JohnRR** · 03-10-2019, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfyanes

We just had our replaced, there was a 5-6” gap on top right corner, I worked the levelers on the coach & with some grunt work and tapping the installer got er in!

That would not be the way I’d like my windshield replaced, I’d find it hard to sleep knowing that. Good luck with it I’m not saying it won’t work.

CountryB · 03-11-2019, 09:00 AM

I don't like the sound of that either.

Twisting the frame/coach to get the glass in may be because the frame opening (or replacement glass) has a problem.

Once the new glass is in and the coach is level, how can you be sure there is no "bind" or tight spot in the corner?

Maybe it is not a problem and just an installer trick that I have never heard of. Good luck.

Cliffy · 03-11-2019, 09:14 AM

If there is stress in the glass wouldn't just a small rock chip cause a crack to develop pretty easily? I don't have a class A though anymore.

timjet · 03-12-2019, 08:10 AM

Tom, you went to the wrong glass shop. Only deal with a shop that specializes in motor home windshield replacement. I had mine done by Coach Glass, they have shops thoughout the US. You don't need to go to Newmar to get it done right but you do need to go to a shop that specializes in Motor Homes.

I've found that posting any issues that I have with my MH on the forums get's me going in the right direction, before I make the mistake of either incorrectly trying to fix it myself or taking it to someone not qualified to fix it.

Hope this helps.

Hit_the_Rhod · 03-12-2019, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfyanes

We just had our replaced, there was a 5-6” gap on top right corner, I worked the levelers on the coach & with some grunt work and tapping the installer got er in!

Perhaps a better way to go about it is BEFORE the old windshield is removed, ensure that your RV is as level as it can be, and the windshield opening is as true as it can be. If a split windshield (which I don't think you have) a professional installer will remove one side, install new windshield there, THEN remove the other side to replace the last panel. Windshield openings have been known to "sag" in the middle, or deform easily. Depends on the make/model. Some are more known for this than others.

If I had to guess, I would go with what one of the other posters stated, I think the installer got the wrong windshield in . . .

Bargeloh · 03-13-2019, 02:04 PM

Thanks everyone, some great advice!

jelag · 03-13-2019, 02:23 PM

So I have been following some threads on the Travel Supreme owners blog about those motor homes having issues with the windshield popping out... one of the guys who used to work for Travel Supreme before they went out of business contributes the problem to the frame flexing and the front part of the body not being strong enough to handle the flexing thus allowing the windshield to pop out...

I can only assume that yours is under stress and that is the cause of the windshield breaking.... On those units they have developed a loop kit to go around the windshield in the frame under the front cover.... this fastens to the body and goes down to the frame and is welded to the frame...

I'm wondering if your problem my be solved the same way.. I'm sure the manufacturer might not be willing to admit to the problem but go to the other owners group and read the posts.... really interesting

wildtoad · 03-13-2019, 02:40 PM

Mine cracked when leveling. When I got home I called the insurance company and we used the local Binswanger glass franchise. They came out measured, ordered the glass. It came in, they installed it, and it’s been fine. You just need people that care, and take the time to do it right the first time.