Well, it finally happened

[lostinfla]

After 38000 miles all around the continental US with no real windshield damage, we were on our way for a Christmas trip up to Busch Gardens Tampa when somewhere around Sarasota I heard a rock hit the windshield. Then I noticed a small star mark in the center. 50 miles later, it looked like this. Sorry, it was raining at that point and the Magnashade was on, but it turned into a nice smiley face.

 

[FLSteve]

Kind of like earning another "Merit Badge" in the Boy Scouts

 

[FL-JOE]

You have been VERY lucky. Our first year in our Ventana we had our windshield cracked in northern Florida and our car's windshield cracked in SW Florida. This year we have faired better in our southern paradise.

Well, at least you won't be paying anything to get it fixed.

 

[lostinfla]

On another note, I was going to insist on factory glass, but not sure the insurance will cover it. Not really worried about the newmar logo at the bottom and I assume all these windshields are made by 2 or 3 companies. Does anyone have insight into the quality of "aftermarket" glass?

 

[NWIP]

I had 2 replaced on our 2017 and requested OEM glass, Progressive Insurance covered and no problem.

 

[Neal]

Not a fun sight to see, I know the feeling. I am a lot more careful about driving behind trucks and other vehicles but I don't think it matters. Rocks come from nowhere, literally! I was driving my pickup in colorado and not another car in sight and whack something hit my mirror at high speed. Didn't break anything but where in the world did that come from??? Fortunately the MH windshield replacement was painless, insurance via Duncan (after National General) was painless, I went to Newmar as that's the closest to me that I trust, I know you have options locally to you that are reputable. Never hurts to ask for OEM but I have a feeling that's what you'd get anyways. Make sure your orange marker lights are holding their seal after the replacement, mine leaked water inside and I had to remove and replace the silicone. I guess the torquing required to get the windshield out is quite a bit of flexing on the front cap.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

When I was in the collision repair business, many insurance companies dictated we use only aftermarket windshields because of costs and I assure you they are not the same quality either in fit or strength as OEM glass. I sold my business in 2008 so I'm not current but I doubt there are any aftermarket motorhome windshields manufactured. I just don't see where there would be enough demand to tool up and inventory windshields to make it profitable. I'm curious, can anyone confirm they've actually used an aftermarket windshield? I don't think it would necessarily have to have the Newmar name on it to be OEM quality.

 

[Jim]

Bummer.

On a side note, what does the other side of your Magne Shade look like? Just curious, I've seen some pretty trick graphics on some of them.

 

[AbdRahim]

After 38000 miles all around the continental US with no real windshield damage, we were on our way for a Christmas trip up to Busch Gardens Tampa when somewhere around Sarasota I heard a rock hit the windshield. Then I noticed a small star mark in the center. 50 miles later, it looked like this. Sorry, it was raining at that point and the Magnashade was on, but it turned into a nice smiley face.View attachment 598

Sorry to hear that. I always wanted an A, and now that I have one on order, I wonder. Well I guess there are a lot of them out there. Hopefully this isn't as common as it sounds.

 

[lostinfla]

Bummer.

On a side note, what does the other side of your Magne Shade look like? Just curious, I've seen some pretty trick graphics on some of them.

Jim, ours is just the normal black with grey piping.

 

[RKins]

When I get a crack it is a 6 week wait for the windshield to be made

 

[Jim]

Jim, ours is just the normal black with grey piping.

Does it work well? I've seen a lot of them and really like the look.

 

[NWIP]

Here is a discussion about them. They are great product.

Magneshade - Sunshades for your RV

I was not a fan in the beginning of the Magneshades as they are a little bit of a pain to put up but now that I have a system down having done it plenty of times I'm a big fan. I do believe they help by blocking the sun / heat prior to entering your glass vs. trapping heat between your...

rvforums.com

 

[lostinfla]

I was hesitant to spend the $$ and waited a couple years to do it, but it's one of the best things I've added to the coach. Keeps the front much cooler and adds a level of privacy to the front when the shade is open.

 

[lostinfla]

They came to do the windshield yesterday morning, and I'm happy to report everything went well and the front end looks just like normal again. Just in time for Tampa!

 

[Jim]

Wow, that looks like quite a job. I would have thought there would be some kind of device to lift it into place. Good ol manpower I guess?

 

[lostinfla]

That amazed me too. Two guys did all the work at my house. About 3 hrs total.

 

[deaton]

It’s funny how this windshield damage happens. We went twelve years with no incidents. Thought we were charmed. Then last summer we had two rock chip incidents within a two week stretch.

Both were tossed up by passing cars.

Fortunately, neither one left a crack and we got them both repaired fairly easily.

In the process, I discovered that my insurance company, State Farm, no longer pays for rock chip repairs. Seems rather short-sided to me since a chip that progresses to a crack that requires a new windshield is a very pricy claim.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Old-RV'er]

A-1 Coach Glass, in Coburg, OR makes most of the windshields used in buses and MH''s. They have a facility in FL and one in Phoenix as well. You can contact them here: 888-777-6778. They have done the jeep once, and my old MH twice, both times the quote was more than the actual price of the repair. Great Company to do business with.
For us, if we make claim for glass replacement (not repair) we lose a discount on our premiums 3 years out, so we are loosing 2800 and paying out 2100 out of pocket, keeping the 2800 is better than loosing the 2100. So far we have been lucky no windshields and we have about 13,500 on new coach.