R-pod Owners Forum : Front window protection http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Front window protection Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 07:00:33 +0000 Sat, 12 Feb 2022 20:32:32 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=15138 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Front window protection : If the front windows are breaking... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147044#147044 Author: offgrid
Subject: 15138
Posted: 12 Feb 2022 at 8:32pm

If the front windows are breaking into small pieces they are tempered glass. Tempered glass can break from a very small rock chip, and may not break immediately. That is because the surface of tempered glass is in about 10,000 psi of compression, while the bulk of the interior of the glass is in tension.

That is created by rapidly cooling hot glass so the outer surface freezes first which the interior cools and contracts more slowly. That creates a very strong glass sheet because glass is very strong in compression. But if you cut through the very thin surface compression layer, say with the sharp edge of a rock, and expose the tension layer, the glass sheet will release all that tension and instantly turn into hundreds of small glass fragments.

That can happen immediately after the surface gets impacted, or later after the cut or scratch has time to open up enough to expose the liner compression layer. That is why car windshield are laminated, not tempered glass while side windows, which are not exposed much to rock strukes, are tempered.

And why we didn't allow installlatin crews to walk on our solar modules. when installing them. Too easy to get a little rock stuck in their shoes and come back the next day to dozens of broken solar modules.

All that is by explanation of why the front windows are breaking, and why a protective cover of some kind would be a good idea especially for a trip to Alaska



]]> Sat, 12 Feb 2022 20:32:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147044#147044 Front window protection : My understanding is the front... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147031#147031 Author: mjlrpod
Subject: 15138
Posted: 12 Feb 2022 at 9:53am

My understanding is the front window is not breaking from debris strikes, but rather from stresses being applied to it , possibly from the frame. As mentioned, many have had the window shatter while parked. Adding a plastic adhesive panel to the window will probably not give you any measurable risk reduction, but should help control the mess and danger of chards of glass going all over the place, perhaps into the bed, which of course would be fairly dangerous. Good luck on your excursion and may the shwartz be with you. ]]> Sat, 12 Feb 2022 09:53:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147031#147031 Front window protection : I don't think a film like... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147007#147007 Author: offgrid
Subject: 15138
Posted: 09 Feb 2022 at 6:11pm

I don't think a film like that will last long on the outside due to UV degradation of the plastic. If it's on the inside it wont do anything to reduce glass breakage from gravel/rock impacts, and probably not a lot even if you did install it on the outside.

How about adding a layer of polycarbonate on the outside? Cut to size to fit inside the window frame and maybe attach using strong magnets through the glass so you can just remove it when you get back from Alaska. Polycarbonate (Lexan) is super impact resistant. ]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2022 18:11:58 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147007#147007 Front window protection : I have been reading of posts from... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147002#147002 Author: jato
Subject: 15138
Posted: 09 Feb 2022 at 12:15pm

I have been reading of posts from those who have had 'issues' with front window breakage even when parked or sitting stationary.  In some follow-ups it appears FR is taking some responsibility and replacing those front windows with a window that is constructed from plastic, so breakage will no longer be a problem.  I believe a lot of the newest pods are now coming off the line with this newer, more stout, plastic window.
]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:15:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=147002#147002 Front window protection : We are thinking of going to Alaska... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15138&PID=146999#146999 Author: ArenaBlanca
Subject: 15138
Posted: 09 Feb 2022 at 11:28am

We are thinking of going to Alaska with our 195.  We have heard that window breakage is not uncommon on some of the roads in Canada and/or Alaska and the 195 has a front window.  We are thinking about installing a "security film" on the front window to prevent breakage, or, if breakage occurs, the loss of the front window. Has anyone tried this? and can you tell me if the film can be applied to the outside of the window or just the inside?

This is the product under consideration:

BDF S8MC Window Film Security and Safety Clear 8 Mil

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