2304ds stress crack in "windshield"

jdhreiss · 07-24-2019, 09:36 AM

I've read the thread on rock chips in the front windshields, but I recently found a 10" crack starting at the "8 o'clock" edge of the glass, heading toward the windshield's center. There were no rock chips in the window. After a trip over the mountain passes in Idaho - where there were numerous construction areas and rough roadways, I'm wondering if this is a crack from the twisting/bouncing of the trailer. Anyone have a similar problem?

tonyz1 · 07-24-2019, 10:03 AM

Didn't see what year your 2304ds was but on our 2018 29ksws the windshield cracked from near the corner up diagonally for about a foot while sitting beside our house over the winter. Forest River replaced ours (no charge), they seem to have had some problems with them not being finished right around the dges or something like that. Just what happened to us.

TitanMike · 07-24-2019, 11:57 AM

I used to have a van with a huge windshield. Windshields were changed like I changed oil, frequently.

Problem was explained to me by a "glass man". Many windshields are prone to getting slight edge chips as they are handled (larger ones are harder for individuals to handle so more prone). Larger ones are also subjected to more wind pressure at highway speed creating stress in the window. The chip on the edge is a "stress riser" and cracks often start from that point and grow. How far? Depends on how far the crack has to grow to relieve the stress.

Just sharing an explanation that has a lot of logic to it.

jdhreiss · 07-24-2019, 06:43 PM

Thanks, guys. The dealer (Vancouver RV in Washington) has been great on my last 2 purchases. The photos tell the tale. We will see. The trailer is a 2019 I purchased in October. it has about 3,500 miles in it.

TitanMike · 07-24-2019, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdhreiss

Thanks, guys. The dealer (Vancouver RV in Washington) has been great on my last 2 purchases. The photos tell the tale. We will see. The trailer is a 2019 I purchased in October. it has about 3,500 miles in it.

Am I seeing things or is the edge of the windshield ground off with a bevel?

From the picture it looks like it might have been done with a sanding disc. If so I'll bet that they see a lot of cracks like this. I believe most automotive windshields are edge finished using a "wet grind" much like eyeglasses which leaves shallower "scratches" that don't create stress risers.

Just curious if it is roughly ground or I'm just seeing things in the picture.

jdhreiss · 07-25-2019, 01:53 PM

The edge is rounded and looks / feels smooth enough. The glass looks like it is glued in, which would limit movement. I'll do a little research on glue-in windshields vs stress breakage.

jdhreiss · 10-29-2019, 09:24 AM

Update:

Forest River authorized the replacement of the windshield under warranty after the Service Manager Rod Dawson at Vancouver RV Center (WA) sent some photos to them. That's about an $1,100 job I was worried about not being covered.

Kudos to Ron, Vancouver RV Center and Forest River. I've had ZERO issues with these people with both of my trailer purchases and service.

tonyz1 · 10-29-2019, 10:02 AM

Thats great to hear that they are taking care of it. We had a similar crack in or 2018 29KSWS, but on other side. Sent pics to dealer and they forwarded them to Forest River. Next time I called the dealer they said new windshield was being shipped and set up an appointment to get it replaced under warranty. Kudos to FR for standing behind their product.

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