Community Forums

CyberVet65 · 04-09-2009, 04:16 PM

I have 24 inch wipers on my Holiday Rambler.

Is it really necessary to pay $39/blade? When I can go to any auto parts store and pay $10 per blade. I can't tell anything physically different from auto vs. RV blades. Is there something different in the cut of the blade? Thickness of the blade? Different hardware that holds the blade?
Any info would be appreciated.
Chet

doc · 04-09-2009, 04:44 PM

Take your blade with you and go to WalMart. Match them up there at the shelf. I have found 30 inch blades there.

hamdave · 04-09-2009, 07:00 PM

I just replaced both of mine and got them at Meijer on sale a pair for $10. I can afford to replace them easily that way. They worked just fine.

cheers

Max Hubrich · 04-09-2009, 07:14 PM

Right now Advance Auto and car Quest are selling 2 WW blades for ten Dollars off. It cost $20 plus change for two 24" blade assemblies.

I needed ones that the "bolt" goes through and holds on the washer nozzle also. I took a blade and bolt with me to advance Auto and found two Rain Bird blades. You should insert the bolt into the hole to ensure proper fit. Some blades had holes too loose for the bolt. The Rain Birds had to have the center bolt cut out (I did that with a small die grinder cut-off wheel). This is necessary so that the mounting collar fits over the blade.

You can also ask for them to look into their commerical vehicle stock (usually in the back of the store). They didn't have a pair to fit mine.

My Rain Birds are now exactly like the new blades I bought at Camping World in September that cost $45 each. I carry them as a spare set.

Gary RVRoamer · 04-09-2009, 07:45 PM

I just bought top of the line Michelin 26" blades for my couch for $13.59 each at Walmart. Didn't even need to modify them - just through away the 3 adapters that came with it and used the bolt hole to bolt them on. Could have used the Rain-ex blades for half the price, but I only get two years out of them. Am hoping these high end blades may last longer.

Some of the cheap blades only fit on the arms that have "J" hooks and few (if any) Class A have them.

paz · 04-10-2009, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberVet65

I have 24 inch wipers on my Holiday Rambler.

Is it really necessary to pay $39/blade? When I can go to any auto parts store and pay $10 per blade. I can't tell anything physically different from auto vs. RV blades. Is there something different in the cut of the blade? Thickness of the blade? Different hardware that holds the blade?
Any info would be appreciated.
Chet

A lot depends on how the blade is mounted to the arm. Some arms will allow you to just snap on a replacement blade you buy at Walmart and some will not.

Our blades are bolted onto the arm, and unfortunately, the replacement blades don't fit exactly. But with a little modification, I can use the inexpensive blades from Walmart.

Another option is to just replace the rubber insert and reuse the metal frame from your current wiper blades. The insert will have some sort of metal or stiff plastic backing. It's the stiff backing that is held by the fingers along the metal frame and this backing must be the correct size to fit the fingers without binding when the blade flexes.

SideRoads · 04-10-2009, 08:08 AM

Replaced mine last year,,,,,got them at WM,,,,drilled out the rivet on the wiper connector,,,,works great.......

Clay L · 04-10-2009, 09:47 AM

As a side note - I keep my wipers covered with foam pipe insulation when parked. I also use a couple of pieces of styrofoam packing material to hold the blades off the windshield a little bit.
My blades are now 5 1/2 years old and still work fine.

CyberVet65 · 04-10-2009, 06:11 PM

Great stuff!

Thanks for the information.
Chet

AFChap · 04-10-2009, 07:22 PM

I have never replaced the entire blade assembly on my motorhome, and rarely on my car. The last time I replaced mine, I got 24" Anco U-24R 610mm refills from Auto Zone for $5.31 for the pair. An alternative replacement might be NAPA part #602410.

Max Hubrich · 04-10-2009, 07:46 PM

Clay L

I think you hit the nail on the head for longevity.

There is a tremendous amount of pressure on the rubber blades when they are parked. I looked at mine and the blade was bent almost 45 degrees. That is where the blade fails when you need it the most-- in the pouring rain. The sun and 'ole mother time dry rots the rubber quickly-- Heck, the wiper blade companies love it!!

I do a similiar thing as you. I also use a piece of foam rubber pipe insulation on each blade bought from Lowes (like 1"). I then place a tennis ball between the lower windshield seal and the wiper arm (it takes the pressure off). This is not an original idea, as I've seen it many times in my travels.

I do one thing more-- When I clean the tires and treat them with 303, I Also do the rubber blades---

They also make a product specifically for wiper blades.
And they will send you a sample of these products free--- This stuff was supposedly developed for the space program to keep rubber parts and seals soft and pliable.

Good luck ,

Baby Bear · 04-10-2009, 07:49 PM

Just went to Car Quest today and they had 5 different 24" blades. Also took old wiper with me and one was completely interchangeable. Good price also! Wait till Camping World hears about this.