RVdunce
West Covina
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Joined: 08/10/2008
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Im new to RV life. I have a 2003 Itasca Spirit 24', which i purchased used. On a recent trip to Parker, Arizona the forward cab over window shattered for reasons unknown to me. ( I had just traveled 250 miles in high heat and just entered a driveway at a very low low speed, and I didnt anything overhead). This was only my second trip in my rv.
My questions are:
1) Any idea why the window shattered??
2) Replacement..Same type window or something else?? as i have read that these forward windows are not very popular.
3) Where can I find a replacement in greater Los Angeles area.
4) Anyone else have this happen?? Warranty issues??
Please advise this dunce, did i do something wrong??
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Hench
So. California
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Joined: 01/24/2006
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Can't answer why the window shattered, maybe the heat caused it to fatigue, you may never know. I would replace the window like it was. Your only other choice would be patching the huge window hole inside and out to seal it up. Any RV repair facility can help you out with a window replacement. The one by me is Fairway Ford in Placentia,CA., they have an RV repair facility and have done a good job for me. You could give them a call and they would help you out. Your insurance may help cover the cost, they covered my windshield but do not know for sure. Good luck
2004 Fourwinds 27D Two-Slide Class C
and a bunch of toys
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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Joined: 06/24/2006
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You didn't say if it broke like it were tempered or not, tempered would brake in lots of little pieces, rather than large sharp shards.
If its tempered and it was real hot, and you put the glass in a bind from twisting or flexing the frame it could brake, with a freighting bang, and a big mess.
If it was tempered, be sure to put back tempered, its much stronger and safer, but costs more.
Mike.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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You can try replacing it with Lexan, which would be shatter proof, extremely impact resistant and most likely te same price or cheaper than tempered or safety glass. Most Class C manufacturers have eliminated the cabover glass windows, leaving it blank or putting "painted on" fake windows instead! Lazy Daze has done it for years for example.
Rocks can kick up high enough to get to the cabover window, or flexing and/or heat stress.
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4wheelers
Valdosta, Ga
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Joined: 04/05/2004
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Overhead windows are such a pain. I haven't heard of one breaking like yours but they do tend to leak and cause lots of water problems for the overhead. If I had the chance, I'd investigate the possibility of a plug and do away with the window completely. Cooler in the summer warmer in the winter less chance of leaking.
Tim, Gwai-Fen, Mia the cat, and PJ the Beagle 
2003 McKenzie Rogue 31'
2002 Saturn SL-2
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Jordan_and_Bev
Greenland, NH, USA
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Joined: 06/12/2004
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I think the big reason for upper bunk front windows was so that kids could ride on the upper bunk and see where they were going. That is completely eliminated by seat belt laws of course, so they are no longer needed and gone in new Class C's. Jordan
Jordan and Bev Spofford
Greenland, NH
2005 Born Free 26' RSB
1995 Suzuki 4WD Toad
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Fiverwheel
Southern CA
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Bunk windows, whether in a class C or in a TC, are a design flaw. The place to look for a replacement is Walts RV salvage in Fontana on Arrow Highway.If they don't have it they can get it.
"Blewbyou"
2002 26.5 MB Lazy Daze
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pnichols
Santa Cruz Mountains
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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Hmmmm....they've been able to seal windshields adequately in all vehicles for decades - should be approximately no different than the front window of a Class C MH.
I just watched a person install a new windshield in my pickup truck and it certainly didn't look like rocket science to me. He just cleaned the edge well and used some kind of (very good "special/automotive?") sealer from a chaulking gun to put about a 3/8 inch bead around the edge before laying the windshield against it and then pounding the windshield all around it's edge with his hand to seat it into place. He said to wait about one day before driving the truck.
I wouldn't be afraid of a front window in the cabover if I were you. I do keep mine in my 2005 Itasca blocked with tin foil, however, so the sun won't ruin the curtains or mattress area by the window.
By the way regarding my pickup's original front windshield: It went for years with no problem then for some reason - probably heat combined with going over a bump that stressed the structure around the window a bit - a large crack appeared which got worse over time.
Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca 324V Spirit
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loopd
Houston, Texas
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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I had the same thing happen to me on my '01 Itasca Spirit. I was traveling on the interstate at the time so I assumed a rock or other debris flew up. And, yes, it is tempered so it shattered into about 10,000 little pieces.
I was on the way to S Padre Island so we stopped at a Home Depot and I bought a piece of Plexiglas that I duct taped in place to continue the vacation. BTW, that large a piece of Plexiglas is not cheap 
Interestingly, I searched around online and a Winnebago OEM replacement window was only $ 60 (+ $ 80 shipping). Paid $ 100 to a local glass installer to put it in. Total damage was $ 240. Otherwise, the local glass installers would charge $ 300 for a custom cut piece of tinted, tempered glass plus $ 200 installation - one trip to make the template and a second to install the glass.
Good luck, loopd
2001 Itasca Spirit 31T
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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Joined: 06/24/2006
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You never answered my question about it being tempered or not. My guess is that it was. And for a replacement contact the customer service Dept. of the RV Mfg. Having a tempered gas made by some shop will be vary expensive, it has to be cut to size before its tempered at the glass Mfg.
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