bye bye window

[kingfisher24]

Stopped to get fuel...dw comes running and screming in panic.....window in trailer is gone, gone, gone...checklist ignored...window not latched..whoosh.....airborne

anyone else done this??? Tracked down a dealer, I am in podunk Arkansas and am having one air freighted from Jackson Center...hopefully to arrive today dealer said...you did'nt latch the window...did you???

Baby, it's cold outside......cardboard and makeshift window keeping out cold...and it is not really cold, or raining...thank goodness

[AIR-Quarius]

It's really nice to know those windows are still available huh?

[kingfisher24]

thankfully it is a newer unit and many in service...don't want to think what one would have to do if the window was not available at the factory

[Gene]

We had one blow out taking the Safari home from the dealer. I discovered it when we stopped 100 miles away and though I didn't scream, I sure was bummed out after spending so much and not even getting it home in one piece.

One of the latches had come loose and opened. It was not adjusted properly and slipped open itself. After some difficult discussions, I got it replaced free. They said it as a window problem (no warranty) and I said it was a latch problem (warranty) that meant it was not adjusted properly at the factory or dealer. They sent me a check and later adjusted the window so it would open and close properly (another problem) when I took the trailer to JC. It still doesn't work perfectly. This would a hard claim to make on a 2 year old trailer. But it is clear—leave a latch open, lose a window. Was it one of the streetside ones over the guacho like ours?

A garbage bag and duct tape solved it temporarily. WD 40 will take off the duct tape glue.

Gene

[kingfisher24]

thanks to airstream of arkansas...their excellent customer service...and i had a window airfreight from JC in less than 24 hours...I installed the new window and wrote new checklist Number 1. SECURE ALL WINDOWS....!!!!!!!!!!!

All's well that ends well

[Phoenix]

Are you guys talking about the smoked plexiglass window cover in the front?

[Gene]

I'm talking about one of two large windows on the streetside in the main cabin (kitchen, etc.). They open up on a hinge of two C channels. They have no metal rim around them and if the one of two latches is open, they can break easily. I think a passing truck could suck them out and they disappear into hundreds of little pieces (outside, fortunately, when it comes to cleaning inside) as tempered glass does.

Gene

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Just be glad it was not a Hehr standard from a mid 50's trailer. Jackson Center ain't air freighting you one of those....

[kingfisher24]

yes one of the large 30x30 smoked windows on the late model safaris on the road side....they can be , if not latched, sucked out into oblivion and graciousily, as far as i know mine did not hit or harm or damage something or someone else in its liftoff except for the monetary damage, it was quite easy to remedy, once the new window was retreived from FedEX...an easy install...even for a dummy like me

[Frank's Trailer Works]

it's all a lesson. The only real mistake would be not learning from it.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

We had one blow out taking the Safari home from the dealer. I discovered it when we stopped 100 miles away and though I didn't scream, I sure was bummed out after spending so much and not even getting it home in one piece.

One of the latches had come loose and opened. It was not adjusted properly and slipped open itself. After some difficult discussions, I got it replaced free. They said it as a window problem (no warranty) and I said it was a latch problem (warranty) that meant it was not adjusted properly at the factory or dealer. They sent me a check and later adjusted the window so it would open and close properly (another problem) when I took the trailer to JC. It still doesn't work perfectly. This would a hard claim to make on a 2 year old trailer. But it is clear—leave a latch open, lose a window. Was it one of the streetside ones over the guacho like ours?

A garbage bag and duct tape solved it temporarily. WD 40 will take off the duct tape glue.

Gene

Why would a "window problem" not be a waranty item?

Ken

[AZ-JH]

The same thing recently happened to us. When we stopped for fuel we noticed a street-side window over the couch was shattered. I never thought it could have been due to a latch issue though. Thanks!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Airstream's warranty policy does not cover abuse, accidents, negligence, acts of God, or misuse.

That, is covered by insurance.

Andy

[Gene]

Glass is specifically excluded by the warranty. However, a loose, maladjusted latch would be the Company's responsibility.

I could also make an argument poor design causes this style of window to be susceptible to damage and the Company is responsible for that. It then becomes a product liability issue and could be asserted after the warranty runs out. You can expect Airstream would not be too receptive to that argument, so what matters is how far you want to go and how you talk to them. A letter to Thor's president helps in that case.

Gene

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Glass is specifically excluded by the warranty. However, a loose, maladjusted latch would be the Company's responsibility.

I could also make an argument poor design causes this style of window to be susceptible to damage and the Company is responsible for that. It then becomes a product liability issue and could be asserted after the warranty runs out. You can expect Airstream would not be too receptive to that argument, so what matters is how far you want to go and how you talk to them. A letter to Thor's president helps in that case.

Gene

Thanks Gene,

I guess I didn't read the fine print.

These windows are all probably breaking from over-hitched too big tow vehicles anyway.

Regards,

Ken

[Inland RV Center, In]

Maybe the univolt is bad.

Or a check valve might be sticking.

Andy

[Frank's Trailer Works]

or it could just be a poor design prone to this sort of mishap. Learn to check it before travel and it won't happen again.

[kingfisher24]

a misfire of the brain was the one and only cause of my flying window....most of them do no spontaneouly fly on their own

not latched is a sure cause of achieving orbit......

[Foiled Again]

It's surprisingly easy to break in to those big windows. I had to do it once.

Someone suggested that to protect the interior, you could slip a piece of PVC pipe over the ends of the latches.... I suppose you'd do that by half opening both, then inserting the end of the latches into each end of the pipe and closing them, or by cutting a slot in one end of the pipe, then rotating it away from the edge of the latch.

It would seem that something like this used while traveling would keep the latches from vibrating open. Well I guess I'm off to the hardware store tomorrow to buy some 1" PVC.

Paula

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

It's surprisingly easy to break in to those big windows. I had to do it once.

Someone suggested that to protect the interior, you could slip a piece of PVC pipe over the ends of the latches.... I suppose you'd do that by half opening both, then inserting the end of the latches into each end of the pipe and closing them, or by cutting a slot in one end of the pipe, then rotating it away from the edge of the latch.

It would seem that something like this used while traveling would keep the latches from vibrating open. Well I guess I'm off to the hardware store tomorrow to buy some 1" PVC.

Paula

Paula.

Or, an owner could learn where the vibration is coming from, and correct it.

Lack of proper running gear balance, is the usual cause.

Andy