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08-02-2018, 03:32 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 39
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Do not buy the FR trailers with unprotected front glass
This is what happened to our Flagstaff 25FKS after one small rock chip.
Will cost $800 to replace and will happen over and over again. In my opinion this is a terrible design flaw from the factory. The windows should have a travel cover like they used to.
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08-02-2018, 03:55 PM
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#2
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RV There Yet?
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Winona, MN
Posts: 1,139
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would you consider covering that window with some kind of security film? i know 3m and other companies make a film that is applied like a window tint and helps prevent the glass from breaking.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/building...180802205431:s
would this be covered under insurance as well or no?
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08-02-2018, 04:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 597
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Go to a glass shop and have them gut you new glass, it is just tempered glass, you may even be able to take the frame window out and take it with you, they will install it for you. Just make sure you seal it up correctly when re-installing it, there is no way this should cost 800 dollars.
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08-02-2018, 04:14 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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It would be best to take either the frame or the whole RV to a glass place and have them make one. They'll most likely have to send it to be tempered after cutting it, so you'll probably have to wait a few days to get it back in service.
I'd also talk to them about a cover for it while you're there. They may have some suggestions.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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08-02-2018, 04:37 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Big brown desert
Posts: 3,003
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What isledog said. Get roll of security film 10mil. Might have to replace it once or twice from yellowing but shouldn’t allow rock to break glass
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2014 Stealth Evo 2850- "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7- "Clifford"
2013 Honda Accord Coupe V6 w/Track Pack- "Julia"
Just glad to get away
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08-02-2018, 04:40 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 156
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Why would anyone buy a trailer, or class C with a window on the front, especially one with no protection?
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Dave W AKA "Toyman"
Well modified Forester C 2551
Why ?...Why not ?
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08-02-2018, 04:59 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toyman
Why would anyone buy a trailer, or class C with a window on the front, especially one with no protection?
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Meanwhile, we drive vehicles with windshields so we can see where we're going.
Being on the front it would be nice if they used laminated safety glass instead of tempered safety glass, but perhaps that is not allowed per regulations.
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2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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08-02-2018, 06:38 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: TN
Posts: 56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morganrc1955
This is what happened to our Flagstaff 25FKS after one small rock chip.
Will cost $800 to replace and will happen over and over again. In my opinion this is a terrible design flaw from the factory. The windows should have a travel cover like they used to.
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So is he saying only FR products have this problem or do all manufacturers have this problem
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08-03-2018, 11:18 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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I'm sure all mfg's with exposed front windows have the same problem. There may be some mfg's that use laminated glass, but that wouldn't mitigate the problem, they would just crack differently than the tempered glass.
The mfg's could use either tempered or laminated glass. Laminated glass is a little more expensive than tempered, so that's why they choose tempered over laminated.
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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08-03-2018, 11:33 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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When we did the factory tour of Rockwood/Flagstaff last year, they were explaining these used the same automotive grade glass as a windshield and will withstand the same forces as a windshield, which is why they can now do big open windows instead of the ones they used to have to fit under the covers. Under that reasoning, what broke the OPs windshield on their trailer, would have just as easily broken the windshield of their TV.
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There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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08-03-2018, 11:51 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,694
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On my Flagstaff 831CLBSS they claim it is laminated windshield glass. I don't know how to verify it unless I get a crack. I like the front window and was concerned until I found out it is windshield glass
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2024 Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021 - for sale
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
Prior TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
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08-03-2018, 11:54 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 364
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaadk
When we did the factory tour of Rockwood/Flagstaff last year, they were explaining these used the same automotive grade glass as a windshield and will withstand the same forces as a windshield, which is why they can now do big open windows instead of the ones they used to have to fit under the covers. Under that reasoning, what broke the OPs windshield on their trailer, would have just as easily broken the windshield of their TV.
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A windshield wouldn't crack (shatter) like this window did.
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2017 Rockwood MiniLite 2506S
2022 F250 7.3/4.30
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08-03-2018, 11:56 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llr
On my Flagstaff 831CLBSS they claim it is laminated windshield glass. I don't know how to verify it unless I get a crack. I like the front window and was concerned until I found out it is windshield glass
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Look for the markings on the glass near one of the corners. Says who made the glass and should also say what kind of glass it is; Laminated, tempered.
Standards of automotive glass marking. Examples of American, European and Chinese marking.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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08-03-2018, 12:04 PM
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#14
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,235
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Those new front cap windows are all curved vertically and maybe horizontally, too, so I don't know if your average glass place could provide a replacement from stock. Are they a custom order from the factory?
Our 2011 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite TT has the covered (flat) front window but we never use it. It stays covered with the blind down.
Given that it's in the bedroom and typically facing the road in front of our campsite, we just aren't comfortable having the cover open. Even if it were tinted dark we'd still be uncomfortable with that. If the factory asked us to vote, I'd say delete the front window. I don't think it would be a deal breaker for us but it's definitely not something we'd order if it were an option.
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2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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08-03-2018, 12:09 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaadk
When we did the factory tour of Rockwood/Flagstaff last year, they were explaining these used the same automotive grade glass as a windshield and will withstand the same forces as a windshield, which is why they can now do big open windows instead of the ones they used to have to fit under the covers. Under that reasoning, what broke the OPs windshield on their trailer, would have just as easily broken the windshield of their TV.
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Not really,the OPs front window is the "Old Style Flat" the New Auto Type that looks like a "Alien Eyes" is Auto Type! This is Made in Dayton,Ohio by "Fuyao Glass of America,Worlds Largest auto glass Mfg Plant! Youroo!!
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08-03-2018, 12:17 PM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
Not really,the OPs front window is the "Old Style Flat" the New Auto Type that looks like a "Alien Eyes" is Auto Type! This is Made in Dayton,Ohio by "Fuyao Glass of America,Worlds Largest auto glass Mfg Plant! Youroo!!
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Ok, thanks for pointing out the difference. I wasn't aware they made a non-covered, non-automotive version. I've only seen the covered ones (like mine or itat's) or the full automotive ones (alien eyes as you called them).
__________________
There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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08-03-2018, 12:28 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 387
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One reason I bought a unit that didn't have a front window. Hope you get it fixed soon.
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08-03-2018, 12:33 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,694
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
Not really,the OPs front window is the "Old Style Flat" the New Auto Type that looks like a "Alien Eyes" is Auto Type! This is Made in Dayton,Ohio by "Fuyao Glass of America,Worlds Largest auto glass Mfg Plant! Youroo!!
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I wonder if I walked over they would give me one. I can see the plant from work.
__________________
2024 Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021 - for sale
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
Prior TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
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08-03-2018, 12:40 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 577
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I can understand the frustration that a problem like this cause for I myself had my windshield chipped on the first trip (2000+miles) but since then no more chips in almost 5000 miles of the subsequent trips.
It's a windshield and it's in the front so it may be chipped but I don't think its a frequent occurrence and I don't think it has a higher risk than the vehicles we drive.... Also, the same rock/pipe or whatever that hits the windshield if instead hit the front cap, could cause a way more expensive repair...
Therefore I don't agree with the recommendation to not buy because of that.
It is really silly to buy a camper with a windshield and not imagine that it can happen...
The windshield is laminated, like the car ones.
BTW: in the picture below my windshield is chipped, can you see it?
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2018 F150 XLT V8 HDPP
2018 Rockwood 2909WS
" Life is simpler when you plow around the stump..."
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08-03-2018, 12:43 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llr
I wonder if I walked over they would give me one. I can see the plant from work.
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As long as you don't stop at the "Upper Deck or Treasure Island" on the way! Youroo!!
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