|
05-14-2014, 08:33 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Granbury, Texas
Posts: 25
|
Frameless Window Glass Shattering While Underway
Had an incident yesterday while traveling in my new 2014 8286WS 5th wheel. The frameless window glass exploded shattering 95% of the glass. The window involved is the one on the slide behind the couch. Unit is less than 3 months since delivery and this was third trip.
I was traveling at about 60MPH. I was looking back in my rear view mirror just as an 18 wheeler was passing me. Once he cleared alongside I saw the window glass laterally explode out and up. There was a lot of pressure felt by me as he was moving at least 70MPH and we had crosswinds of about 20 to 25MPH. I am sure the window was closed tightly. You can see by the pics that the glass broke free from about two inches from the frame top down to about one inch above bottom frame. Almost a complete separation from the window frame.
I am wondering what may have caused the glass to shatter. I could not find evidence of a rock chip hitting the window, but wonder if that is what most likely happened. Seems like it would be difficult for a rock chip to hit a side window causing it to explode like it did. If that is the cause then the glass on these windows is much easier to break than the standard windows. Definitely not "shatterproof" glass! Upon inspection when I went back to inspect the pieces I found the glass to have very sharp edges.
Do you think there may be a warranty issue here? Has anyone out there had one of these windows shatter while underway? If you have a similar experience or an opinion about what most likely caused the breakage please let me know.
I haven't contacted the dealer yet. I am still at the campground and am interested in knowing if anyone else has lost a window under similar circumstances. Have no idea what the cost of a replacement window will be???
Do you think the cause was a rock or a defective window?
Really interested in hearing from some of you "old timers" with much more experience. Thanks.
__________________
IT'S GREAT TO BE ALIVE!
Bob & Marie
Rockwood 8286WS "Bunker"
Ford F-250XLT 2WD 6.4LD
|
|
|
05-14-2014, 08:51 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,570
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TopTiger
Had an incident yesterday while traveling in my new 2014 8286WS 5th wheel. The frameless window glass exploded shattering 95% of the glass. The window involved is the one on the slide behind the couch. Unit is less than 3 months since delivery and this was third trip.
I was traveling at about 60MPH. I was looking back in my rear view mirror just as an 18 wheeler was passing me. Once he cleared alongside I saw the window glass laterally explode out and up. There was a lot of pressure felt by me as he was moving at least 70MPH and we had crosswinds of about 20 to 25MPH. I am sure the window was closed tightly. You can see by the pics that the glass broke free from about two inches from the frame top down to about one inch above bottom frame. Almost a complete separation from the window frame.
I am wondering what may have caused the glass to shatter. I could not find evidence of a rock chip hitting the window, but wonder if that is what most likely happened. Seems like it would be difficult for a rock chip to hit a side window causing it to explode like it did. If that is the cause then the glass on these windows is much easier to break than the standard windows. Definitely not "shatterproof" glass! Upon inspection when I went back to inspect the pieces I found the glass to have very sharp edges.
Do you think there may be a warranty issue here? Has anyone out there had one of these windows shatter while underway? If you have a similar experience or an opinion about what most likely caused the breakage please let me know.
I haven't contacted the dealer yet. I am still at the campground and am interested in knowing if anyone else has lost a window under similar circumstances. Have no idea what the cost of a replacement window will be???
Do you think the cause was a rock or a defective window?
Really interested in hearing from some of you "old timers" with much more experience. Thanks.
|
The glass is very hard, tempered safety glass. Its designed to break into small chunks when impacted to prevent large shards from flying through the vehicle or air. It takes a good impact to break it like that but here it worked as designed. It didn't have to be the passing truck who launched it. Could have come from anywhere with your trailer in its sights!
|
|
|
05-14-2014, 08:54 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 499
|
Insurance claim possible?
1999 Silverado with tow package
2006 Roo 23B hybrid
__________________
2006 Roo 23B hybrid
2006 Ford F150 4.6L
|
|
|
05-14-2014, 09:30 PM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 30
|
Tempered glass is very tough if hit in the middle of the glass. I used to take a 16 pound sludge hammer to removed temper glass, and it would survive.
But, just tape it on the edge with about anything and it explodes.
I've wondered about the frameless windows. Like to know it others have had same problem.
|
|
|
05-14-2014, 09:44 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
|
If you had all the vents closed the pressure outside by the truck was greater so it sucked the glass out.
I always traveled with my 5th wheel with my roof vents slightly open to help move the air.
I have not heard of a frameless glass doing this just framed types. But that breakage was from a marble.
|
|
|
05-15-2014, 10:47 AM
|
#6
|
Rockwood 8289WS Diamond
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Midland, TX
Posts: 13
|
We had this happen on the way home from a trip last year with our 2013 8289. Stopped to get gas and happened to notice that the window above the couch was completely gone. Neither of us noticed anything while driving. It was the end of a holiday weekend and traffic was heavy and it had been raining. We assumed a truck passed us and kicked up a rock. It took about 6 weeks to get the replacement which was even more annoying. Seems like it was around $400 so it didn't meet our deductible for an insurance claim.
__________________
Clem Jenkins...
|
|
|
05-19-2014, 06:52 PM
|
#7
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 6
|
Had the same thing happen to me when a truck passed. Ours was a large window. Cost 649.00 to replace. Couldn't see a rock doing that. Real mistery to me what caused it. Maybe Rockwood needs to take a look at the problem. Was a new unit on the way home from dealer, was kind of up set.
|
|
|
05-19-2014, 07:24 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TopTiger
Had an incident yesterday while traveling in my new 2014 8286WS 5th wheel. The frameless window glass exploded shattering 95% of the glass. The window involved is the one on the slide behind the couch. Unit is less than 3 months since delivery and this was third trip.
I was traveling at about 60MPH. I was looking back in my rear view mirror just as an 18 wheeler was passing me. Once he cleared alongside I saw the window glass laterally explode out and up. There was a lot of pressure felt by me as he was moving at least 70MPH and we had crosswinds of about 20 to 25MPH. I am sure the window was closed tightly. You can see by the pics that the glass broke free from about two inches from the frame top down to about one inch above bottom frame. Almost a complete separation from the window frame.
I am wondering what may have caused the glass to shatter. I could not find evidence of a rock chip hitting the window, but wonder if that is what most likely happened. Seems like it would be difficult for a rock chip to hit a side window causing it to explode like it did. If that is the cause then the glass on these windows is much easier to break than the standard windows. Definitely not "shatterproof" glass! Upon inspection when I went back to inspect the pieces I found the glass to have very sharp edges.
Do you think there may be a warranty issue here? Has anyone out there had one of these windows shatter while underway? If you have a similar experience or an opinion about what most likely caused the breakage please let me know.
I haven't contacted the dealer yet. I am still at the campground and am interested in knowing if anyone else has lost a window under similar circumstances. Have no idea what the cost of a replacement window will be???
Do you think the cause was a rock or a defective window?
Really interested in hearing from some of you "old timers" with much more experience. Thanks.
|
Your unit is 3mos old, It is under warranty. Know one can prove it didn't shatter by pressure. Do not let them tell you a rock broke it. These are frameless windows holding them. You could have just caught a gust a wind that under a side of it from someone passing. I would not pay for it unless they can prove it. The burden is on them not you. Frameless windows are sharp looking, but I would not have one, for that reason.
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer:
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:53 PM.