Front window broken
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Topic: Front window broken
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Subject: Front window broken
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 1:52pm
 New to the forum. We have a 2021 r179. Have had since new in November 2020, and have had it out on about 2 dozen trips and 100+ nights. Last week coming home on the highway the front window shattered (must have hit a rock?) and I am working with insurance to get it replaced. Has this happened to anyone? Does the replacement need to come from Forest River? What's the best way to seal it off while waiting for the part?
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Replies:
Posted By: campman
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 3:09pm
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Lots of incidents like this since FR decided to put a big window on the front - do a search on this site or on the interweb, lots of reports and one just recently here that you may find educational) as to others experiences.
I know of three types of windows they have tried...yours, which sounds like tempered glass and a bad idea. Then I heard the next attempt was a dual pane unit. These were reported to fail as the rpod isn't rigid enough structurally and the seals would break and lead to fogging between the panes. The third is what is on our 192, a tinted plastic type which seem to work as designed as long as they are installed properly. I would suggest to go through your rpod dealer to see if they will warranty it as it was a bad type of window to install. Some who have gone through the process with FR have had successful conclusions, others not so much. Gotta give it a try though, I am thinking. Wait times can be long for parts etc as we have all experienced by now. When my 192 front window leaked due to a bad installation, I just got a piece of thick clear plastic used in home construction for vapour barrier. 9 mil thickness if I recall correctly. Cut it a bit bigger then the window and used a good tape to tape all the way around it to keep any water out till I could get it in to be repaired. Once you remove the tape, have some goo-gone or similar product to help take any remaining tape and residue safely off your trailer front. You don't want to damage the surface or finish. Good luck, and let us know how things work out. Hopefully for the best! Andy ------------- 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 |
Posted By: campman
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 3:17pm
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One more note, your trailer is still under warranty, so definitely try to get it repaired through Forest Rivers warranty so you don't have an insurance claim against you, and it shouldn't cost you anything out of pocket.
Another thing, if you need to tow it with the plastic over the window hole, try to reinforce the plastic from the inside, maybe with a stout piece of cardboard that is supported from the inside of the window frame. Or, as I suggested in another thread where their window shattered, take out the window completely and have a shop fabricate a piece of aluminum or other product to permanently affix over the hole, fill, insulate and finish it from the inside and never have a problem again with it! Hope this helps, and good luck. Andy Andy ------------- 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 |
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 3:18pm
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Thanks for the info. I'll check into the vapor barrier. I currently have a piece of reflectix covering it and held down with several layers of good waterproof tape, but not sure if it will withstand our Arizona monsoons. I also think it is a design flaw, even though we have enjoyed the light inside. I will give FR dealer a call. Thanks! ------------- Grand Canyon State rules! |
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 3:23pm
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I like that last idea about the aluminum fabrication. If the window takes too long to arrive, I will probably go that route. Can't have the rpod sidelined for 3 months during prime mountain camping season! ------------- Grand Canyon State rules! |
Posted By: campman
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 3:29pm
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There is a recent thread here that shows what one person did when he found extensive water damage at the back of his trailer, plywood work was wonderful! ------------- 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 |
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2022 at 3:50pm
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Yeah I saw that one. Don 't want to go to that extreme. Looks like he carved that rpod from a single piece of wood... ------------- Grand Canyon State rules! |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2022 at 3:34pm
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I'm surprised no one has suggested getting a lexan window fabricated. lexan is very strong, and I think it's what they use on fighter jets. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2022 at 5:04pm
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I have heard of lexan, but who does such fabrication? I am having a tough time just getting the insurance company to set me up with an rv glass installer. Thanks. ------------- Grand Canyon State rules! |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2022 at 3:48am
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I've suggested polycarbonate several times. Lexan is just GE Plastics' brand name for it. Regardless of brand, it's good stuff for this application as it won't break. You can scratch it so use care while cleaning; flush first, use a sift cloth, and use straight line motions. Circular motions can cause swirl marks which draw your eye.
You can use normal saws to cut it, not a problem at all. Easy DIY. You can get pretty much any thickness you want so get close to the same thickness as the the glass youre replacing so the seal will engage properly. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Date Posted: 28 Nov 2022 at 9:15am
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Took 4 months, but finally got the window delivered and installed. Forest River sent one about 7 weeks after the break, but it arrived at the auto glass place with a bent frame. The second one took about 7 weeks also, and it was the right size even! Got the RPod 179 back on the road, but lost most of our prime mountain camping. We did fit in a trip to Mather campground at the South Rim (Grand Canyon) in late October through early November. Now off to Southern AZ where the warm weather is!
Thanks to all for your suggestions. ------------- Grand Canyon State rules! |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2022 at 8:10am
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Glad to hear that your repair was successful and now you can enjoy your unit. We are planning on coming to the SW this spring, again. We do enjoy camping around Demin NM in March and April, sure beats the brown snow we have in Michigan that time of year. We've heard about a national park in Arizona, Bonita Canyon, which we have reservation for this spring. Have you been camping there, if so did you enjoy the park? ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2022 at 12:15pm
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We were in your neighborhood back in September. Were at the North Rim (our favorite) for 4 days and really enjoyed the hiking as well as the spectacular beauty of the creation at that location. Great to hear your window is fixed, waiting and patience is not one of my better qualities. Camp on ! ------------- 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." |
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2022 at 12:24pm
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We have been to Bonita Campground in Chiracahua National Monument. Very nice. No hookups but it is in a shady canyon in the monument. Lots of great hiking and beautiful drives. Other close places are Cochise Stronghold and Kartchner Cavern State Park. Kartchner has full hookups and is trmendous. If you go, make reservations for one of the cavern tours. Can't go wrong. All the Arizona State Parks are very well done, as are the Maricopa County Regional Parks. We are currently at Lost Dutchman State Park at the base of Superstition Mountains. 65 degrees, sunny. Nice. Best wishes as you plan your next trip. ------------- Grand Canyon State rules! |
Posted By: J&BinAZ
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2022 at 12:27pm
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Yes the North Rim is the best. By the time we got things squared away though the NR was closed for winter. Oh well, we are at the Superstitions now enjoying the Sonoran Desert weather. Best wishes. I agree, Camp on! ------------- Grand Canyon State rules! |