Plexiglass window shields

[JimGaskill]

I have a friend who owns a 2015 Land Yacht. At the top of the curved 2 front window shields there are large areas that have crazing and spider cracks. There is no evidence of road hazard damage to the covers. He keeps it stored in an enclosed shed. No sunlight on windows. Fasteners are tight. Has anyone else had this problem with such a new trailer? Any thoughts on cause?

[HowieE]

My first guess would be poor material. I have replaced one of my curved window shades with Plexiglass, by brand name. That material can be without heating to a greater curvature that require for those windows. I suspect the material that may have been used for those windows did not meet that spec and thus has crazed.

[HowieE]

My first guess would be poor material. I have replaced one of my curved window shades with 1/8 in. Plexiglass, by brand name. That material can be curved, without heating, to a greater curvature than require for those windows. I suspect the material that may have been used for those windows did not meet that spec and thus has crazed.

[Gearheart]

As I have worked in a plastic fabrication business for 25 years I can tell you Plexiglas or any other brand of acrylic plastic will not bend and stay bent cold. It can bend a little but not enough to wrap the front of an A/S. That stuff is heated in an oven and bent in a mold. This causes internal stress in the material and crazing can occur if the temperature wasn't right. It also expands and contracts with heat at a different rate than the aluminum shell of the trailer and this results in stresses unless the mounting hardware allows the material to "float".

[HowieE]

Maybe I did not know it could not be done. The window shattered and the frame bent when it flew open. Straightened the frame and had enough pieces to make a pattern with. 10 years and counting

[Bruce B]

Funny timing. We are currently in Texas heading around the country in our Bambi. It is now 1/2 way through its 7th year in age and we have one window that has crazed!
I didn't even have to move from where I am sitting to take this picture...
What causes this?
Bruce

[bolerama]

We had the same problem with our one year old trailer back in 2009. I contacted Airstream directly (because our dealer didn't think the issue was covered). I explained the the cracking wasn't cause by an impact (I sent them photos). It was defective product. They sent me a complete new set via Fedex. Airstream was good to deal with.
If you are near your dealer get them to deal with it.

Paul

[Gearheart]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Maybe I did not know it could not be done. The window shattered and the frame bent when it flew open. Straightened the frame and had enough pieces to make a pattern with. 10 years and counting

I suspect that you used Lexan if you got it to bend like that.