Rpod 2020 192 windshield
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins
Forum Discription: Have a warranty or service experience to share?
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15173
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 9:54pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Rpod 2020 192 windshield
Posted By: kennedto100
Subject: Rpod 2020 192 windshield
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2022 at 9:53am
I was driving yesterday and the front windshield shattered.
Has anyone heard of this happening?
Can I order a replacement from a local glass company or do I need to order from forest tiver?
Any suggestions appreciated.
Tom
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Replies:
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2022 at 10:14am
Sadly, there have been many instances of issues of various kinds with the front windshields. I think this is the first time I've heard of one shattering, but I have not been paying that much attention to the issue. I (for one) would probably not want to get one with the windshield in the front.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2022 at 1:00pm
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Have heard of quite a few members on the FB site complain of this happening, not only while en route but also when sitting still sitting at the campsite! What I have read is that FR has been replacing the defective windows with a plexi-glass substitute or similar so that this event won't repeat itself.
If your r-pod is still under warranty, definitely contact FR for repair on their dime.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: campman
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2022 at 12:12pm
Jato +1, see your dealer whether warrantied or not and see about getting the latest window version ordered. That is what is in ours (2021 rp192). Much superior construction than safety glass (these are the ones that much has been said about shattering for no reason) or dual pane versions (the rpod isnt a rigid enough build to use sealed windows, so they fail as well).
Have a great day and good luck!
Andy
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Andy and Laurie
'16 F150 5.0 4X4 w/factory tow pkg
'21 RP192
"If the women don't find you handsome...at least let them find you handy!"
Red-Green
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Posted By: kennedto100
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2022 at 12:27pm
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Any idea if I can replace this with a black flat piece of plexiglass?
Looks like it is held in by two aluminum frame (one on inside and one on outside ) screwed together together.
I can recall if this was a flat piece of glass.
Tom
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Posted By: campman
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2022 at 4:05pm
Hmmm, always good to think of different solutions. The front of the rpods are curved of course. I am pretty sure our front window is curved so I don't think a flat piece would flex enough.
Have you considered possibly using a cut to size sheet of aluminum to fill it in? You would need to provide a supporting framework inside to attach the sheet to and then sealing it around the edge from the outside.
I think the sheet of aluminum would flex to allow the curve...you would essentially be replacing the original skin piece that was removed to allow a window to be installed on the front. If my window ever fails, this is one of the directions I would consider and eliminate the window completely.
Andy
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Andy and Laurie
'16 F150 5.0 4X4 w/factory tow pkg
'21 RP192
"If the women don't find you handsome...at least let them find you handy!"
Red-Green
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2022 at 12:24pm
If the window shattered into small fragments it means it was tempered glass. Tempered glass will always break that way because it is under tension from the glass factory.Thats what makes it strong but it also makes it prone to breakage from small rock chips. It's quite common for tempered glass to get hit by rocks and not break until later when the crack from the chip has had time to progress and realease the tension
Polycarbonate (Lexan) would be a good choice as an alternative material. If is next to impossible to break polycarbonate, you can only scratch it. OTOG it does scratch much easier that glass. You would have to fit it in the frame which might be difficult, it could be that polycarbonate the same thickness as the glass was will be too thin and flexible. The other approach would be to protect the glass with something during travel. Anything that will keep rock chips away would work. It might be interesting to glue strong magnets to the inside of the window and hold a cover on that way.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2022 at 7:18pm
I'm not sure magnets on the inside would be strong enough to old a cover against the air movement while towing. Some form of mechanical hold-down for a cover would be much better.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2022 at 5:38am
Mechanical hold downs require more holes in the trailer, and in an area subject to driving rain/wind.
If the front glazing is single pane modern rare earth magnets will hold through it well. They are incredibly strong, likely you will have more trouble removing the protective sheet then keeping it on.
Magnetic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance so if it's an insulated glass panel then the attractive force will probably be too weak for magnets to work.
In that case or if you don't the idea of using magnets consider adhering attachment points to the glass using epoxy.
Also, the protective sheet doesn't need to be rigid. It's purpose is to protect the glass from rock chips, not breaking impacts. So some type of flexible padding could work and that wouldn't be as prone to being blown off as a rigid glass sheet. It could also be folded up and stowed easily at camp.
Here's another idea if you're ok with attaching through the trailer skin. Mount a solar module on a piano hinge above the window. Latch it down while towing, tip it up on a couple struts at camp to provide energy and shade. Solar modules are made from tempered glass too so will also break from rock chips, but they stay in one piece when they break because the solar cell encapsulants are flexible materials. Also you could just attach a travel cover over the solar module with bungees.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: kennedto100
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2022 at 9:57am
Does anyone know how these windows are attached. The windows is in front of the rubber gasket. It almost look like it is glued on. If you have removed one, please let me know.
Tom
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Posted By: kennedto100
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2022 at 10:54am
I have been waiting 2 months on this.
I asked local dealer to order it, but FR would not work with him.
Found dealer in Seattle that ordered it and would ship to me in Texas.
That was a month ago. Every week I ask for the order status and that can’t seem to get it from FR.
Any suggestions on how I can contact FR for this, there website says
See dealer for parts.
Very frustrating .
Tom
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 3:24pm
I also had the front windshield shatter on our Rpod 195. It has been a nightmare, can't get Rpod on the phone. I got one call and now nothing but leave a message. We are from South Dakota and are in Oregon, trailer repair place said it could take months to get the windshield because they have trouble getting through to Forest River. This has been a nightmare. Couldn't find a rock in the trailer so have no idea why the windshield shattered. We have it taped with waterproof Gorilla tape and multiple layers of house wrap trying to keep out water. I can't drive this back to South Dakota so I'm hunting a place to store the trailer until we can get the window. So disappointed in Forest River assistance, last product from them.
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Rich S
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 3:27pm
I finally got the number for Susan Thornburg at Rpod: start leaving multiple messages and maybe that will help us (574) 535-2538 or (574) 642-1612. I have left 6 messages. FR needs to have a better plan.
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Rich S
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2022 at 5:27pm
Tempered glass will shatter if it's surface is struck and scratched by a rock or other hard object. The rock doesn't need to penetrate through the glass and the glass can even shatter later from an earlier scratch.
This is because tempered glass has a thin layer that is in compression on it's surface while the interior of the glass is in tension. The two lavers balance each other. It is the compression on the surface that is squeezing the glass together making it strong. Once a scratch is formed cutting through the surface compression layer it releases all the internal tension and you get thousands of little pieces. This usually will happen right away but not always, it could take a little time for the scratch to work it's way down to the tension layer.
Bottom line is tempered glass is a great material for things like sliding doors but a terrible material for windshieldd which are subject to strikes by sharp objects. You never see car windshields made of tempered glass for that reason.
If you get another tempered glass sheet for the front window of your rpod it will break again next time it gets a rock hitting it unless you cover it with something to protect it. Or you can get a sheet of polycarbonate (Plexiglas), cut that to size, and replace the existing window with that. Much better in the long run, nothing will break that stuff.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2022 at 9:40pm
I am so glad we searched out an early version of the 2020 195 without a window in the front. I'm not sure how the window above the bed is a good idea in the first place. Guess this is off topic, but there are some newer Rpods without the window.
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Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2022 at 5:55am
A better option for replacement of the tempered glass might be "safety glass" that they use for windshields. It's the kind that has two sheets of untempered glass laminated with a sticky glue between the two sheets. I've purchased it before when I had to replace a window that my son sent his skateboard through that was located next to a door. It would probably stand up to the rocks and other road debris a little better than tempered glass.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2022 at 10:10am
Safety glass for sure would stand up much better. Standard annealed glass doesn't break into small pieces and the PVB polymer adhesive holds everything together.
The problem is that it's much thicker and heavier overall, around 1/4 to 3/8 inch vs 1/8 for normal tempered glass because of the 2 sheets. Polycarbonate or acrylic are about 1/8 so will fit in the rubber seal and much lighter and you can easily cut them to the size you want. They can scratch but if you clean them properly they stay clear for a very long time, and they are hard to break.
https://www.flyingmag.com/technique-tip-week-keep-your-windshield-clean/ - cleaning acrylic
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2022 at 10:04pm
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Thanks for the suggestion. Any ideas for how to get Rpod to answer their phone? :-)
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Rich S
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Posted By: Colonel Podder
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2022 at 8:38am
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Sorry to hear of the troubles folks are having on the front windows. Mine has not broken yet, but it has been replaced twice due to the inner seal between the two glass panes leaking and then the window fogs up. I guess this front window is a sealed double pane window?
With the breakage in mind, would a security film installed to the inside and outside of the window help with reducing the chance of this happening? And then possibly keeping the glass fragments in one place if it did happen?
Thanks.
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2021 R-pod 196
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2022 at 10:15am
Security film couldn't hurt and might help. A cover for use while traveling might help more.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Colonel Podder
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2022 at 12:47pm
I ordered some 12mil security film. It was only $42 for enough to do both the inside and outside, so I thought it was worth a shot.
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2021 R-pod 196
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2022 at 8:35am
Looks like a good suggestion. I also have my insurance company trying to get a response from Rpod about what and when they plan to do. It was kind of nice to hear that FR won't respond to their calls either. Today will be day 8 of calling FR Rpod in Goshen to try and get help.
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Rich S
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2022 at 8:49am
I'm thinking the 12 mil film will be great. The issue is FR Rpod won't respond to me, Progressive or the repair shop about replacing the window. I actually found a storage place here in Oregon with one space that will fit my Rpod but as of yesterday, because the window is broken and I don't know when the replacement is arriving, they have to ask their owners if I can rent it due to the shattered windshield. Supposed to call me today with an answer on that issue.
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Rich S
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Posted By: Colonel Podder
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2022 at 8:55am
It's not good what you are going through. I feel your pain for you and the OP, and anyone else with this issue. Apparently customer service is non-existent with FR. Sadly a lot of companies these days have little or no customer service. Hopefully you can get resolution soon and start creating some good memories to help put this one behind you.
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2021 R-pod 196
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2022 at 8:58am
For sure!
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Rich S
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2022 at 5:36pm
I'm beat, Rpod won't respond to two of their dealers who have tried to help us, the claims rep gets nowhere. I'm calling a local glass dealer for a custom repair tomorrow.
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Rich S
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2022 at 6:03am
Don't just put back another tempered glass window. Ask the glass shop if they can do polycarbonate or acrylic, either of those will last much longer than the tempered glass will, unless you also cover the window.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: kennedto100
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2022 at 12:02pm
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I finally received my new windshield.
It took 6 weeks for it to arrive. I had to hound the dealer where I ordered it from to get info about its status.
I live in Texas and I tried to order it from two local dealers that were not able/willing to submit the order. I finally was able to order from Sumner RV in Seattle. Ask for Alicia. 253-863-5644. She ordered it and had it sent directly to my house in Alpine, Texas.
I was able to install it myself. It was two frames that screw together through the front of the RV. It also is double pane. Looks like the replacement is tempered glass as well.
I am thinking I will trade this one in and get one that does not have this issue. I noticed on several models that one of the new features is an automotive style windshield.
Tom
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2022 at 12:14pm
After my nasty email to Forest River about their lack of customer service, I received a phone call from Rpod in Goshen, IN. They had the replacement window in stock and it would ship within 4-6 weeks. The dealer in Oregon doing the repair was amazed (insurance claim). The following day I received an email from the "Rpod Warranty Administrator," Tina Curtis (574) 535-1546 (ext.37124) telling me that the dealers were "calling the wrong number." They should call Hope Rowlison (574) 535-2538 (ext. 37199). I'm amazed a company wouldn't keep their dealers informed of phone number changes. I'm going to apply the 12 mil film outside and inside once the new window is installed. Not going to trade this one after looking at prices. :-)
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Rich S
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Posted By: dcouch
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2023 at 5:50pm
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Thanks for posting the phone numbers for R-Pod, my front window cracked and broke into little pieces this weekend while camping in Elk City Kansas, it was fine when we went to bed but sometime in the middle of the night as far as we can tell it broke up. We could see where the rock chipped the window, about 1/3 of the way up on the passenger side of the trailer.
Lucky the inside glass was fine as we had to drive back 750 miles to Denver the next day.
Crud. Dave Couch
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Dave Couch
Lone Tree, Colorado
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Posted By: raschurt
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2023 at 5:55pm
So glad it went well. I ended up selling the trailer and returning to tent camping. Kodiak tent, cots, cassette toilet and fewer worries. My wife and I spent 37 years tent camping and are much happier.
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Rich S
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2023 at 8:05pm
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One of the reasons I did not purchase a new RPod or NoBo is the front window. If FR had included a travel cover, it would save a lot of these broken windows.
Rich, you might be young enough to enjoy that. We gave up tent camping because it was no longer enjoyable. My wife is much happier with the trailer.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 10:10am
The early 2020's did not have a front window. We searched, found, and bought one. All the new stuff without the unnecessary hassles of a front window.
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Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff
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