|
06-02-2011, 05:26 AM
|
#1
|
New Member
2012 25' Flying Cloud
fayetteville
, Arkansas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
|
Shattered windows
while in route to a campground, we noticed that one of the curved windows in the front had broken completely out with shards of glass left in the frame. within 30 minutes the other side did the same. we thought it possible that a rock caught one of them, but both within 30 minutes seemed unlikely. any ideas on what might have caused this or was it just a coincidence? thanks
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 05:32 AM
|
#2
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
If it wasn't rocks, the windows were put under stress of some kind. There are things to check, such as the WD bar capacity and how tight they were, condition of the frame, type of tow vehicle, tires on tow vehicle and trailer, even the road surface.
You can still get those windows from any Airstream dealer, and I think I would invest in a rock guard to minimize the chance of a rock causing the problem.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 07:56 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dachie
while in route to a campground, we noticed that one of the curved windows in the front had broken completely out with shards of glass left in the frame. within 30 minutes the other side did the same. we thought it possible that a rock caught one of them, but both within 30 minutes seemed unlikely. any ideas on what might have caused this or was it just a coincidence? thanks
|
That was not your lucky day.
Andy
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 08:25 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
|
Check the integrity of the frame.. I delivered a 69 globetrotter from Indiana to California a number of years ago and had 4 windows shatter as you described, .
The problem turned out to be that water run off from the rear of the trailer had rusted through the frame forward of the rear bumper where the frame passes thru the banana wrap.
The frame broke on the right side at this point and the hanging weight put a twisting stress on the body. Over the course of 2 thousand miles I lost the right side window and both front "wing" windows and finally the center front window.
I would try bouncing or lifting on the rear bumper and if it is this problem it will show up.
I know the trailer was successfully repaired, possibly by Inland as it was delivered in that area and I suggested they talk to Andy.
All things considered, the owner took things pretty well in stride considering I showed up with his "new" trailer covered with plastic and duct tape.
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 08:34 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
|
Being a '70's trailer - Rick's feeback sounds like a good ideal to check....
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
|
|
|
06-02-2011, 02:56 PM
|
#6
|
New Member
2012 25' Flying Cloud
fayetteville
, Arkansas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
|
thanks for all the suggestions. i will check the rear frame immediately. i have already ordered replacement windows and a rock guard, but given the expense, don't want to buy the windows again. thanks again
|
|
|
06-03-2011, 08:31 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Missouri City
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,233
|
The same thing happened to my previous 69 AS. both windows broke while driving down the highway on the same day. Rear bath and rear frame problems, Once that was fixed and the replacement windows installed no more problems. As I remember the replacement windows were not glass but are made of plastic type material.
Don
|
|
|
06-03-2011, 09:19 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
|
The nice thing here is that unlike some folks who won RV's and might have these issues, we repair our Airstreams...
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
|
|
|
06-03-2011, 09:26 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 739
|
On the way home from Iron City, the front center window shattered on the Minuet. Hit by a stone kicked up from the road. Thankfully it was the flat piece of glass. I have ordered and will pick up this afternoon a piece of 3/16th inch thick Lexan for replacement. Tempered glass would have been cheaper but Lexan will not break.
__________________
Royce (K0RKK) 146.460 simplex
Web page https://spearfishcreek.net/
AIR# 3913
'77' Minuet 6 Metre, behind a 2005 stock Jeep Rubicon with Equa-L-Zer hitch.
|
|
|
06-03-2011, 10:33 AM
|
#10
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Royce
On the way home from Iron City, the front center window shattered on the Minuet. Hit by a stone kicked up from the road. Thankfully it was the flat piece of glass. I have ordered and will pick up this afternoon a piece of 3/16th inch thick Lexan for replacement. Tempered glass would have been cheaper but Lexan will not break.
|
Janet here on the forums installed a modified 3 piece rock guard for a newer Airstream on her Minuet. It looks good, and with the price of those front panorama windows being what they are, would be a wise investment.IIRC, she wroye an article on how to do it, and posted it in the Airstrwam Central area of the forums.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
09-03-2011, 10:40 PM
|
#11
|
2 Rivet Member
1974 31' Sovereign
Tacoma
, Washington
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
|
Greetings all,
I was researching how to repair my curb side broken wing window (exterior piece of glass only) and came along this thread.
I have purchased a '74 Sovereign from here in Iowa and all of the rear frame crossmember has rusted through. It is gone. Is there a repair that is possible without having to put on an entirely new frame (read: shell-off restoration)?!? It 'appears' that the suggested repair to prevent rear sag has been done on the long frame beams that go from front to back: the repair that I've read causes the rear frame to separate from the shell. I believe this repair has been done because of the exterior segment patching that I've seen down low in that area near the long frame beams (near where they extend out for the bumper to attach). I've already replaced much of the rotten sub floor back there on the interior.
Thanks for the wisdom!
T.J.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickDavis
Check the integrity of the frame.. I delivered a 69 globetrotter from Indiana to California a number of years ago and had 4 windows shatter as you described, .
The problem turned out to be that water run off from the rear of the trailer had rusted through the frame forward of the rear bumper where the frame passes thru the banana wrap.
The frame broke on the right side at this point and the hanging weight put a twisting stress on the body. Over the course of 2 thousand miles I lost the right side window and both front "wing" windows and finally the center front window.
I would try bouncing or lifting on the rear bumper and if it is this problem it will show up.
I know the trailer was successfully repaired, possibly by Inland as it was delivered in that area and I suggested they talk to Andy.
All things considered, the owner took things pretty well in stride considering I showed up with his "new" trailer covered with plastic and duct tape.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|