Forum Discussion

phil_weaver's avatar
phil_weaver
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013

BREAKING WINDSHIELDS IN DAMON ESCAPER

Hello,

I am writing this in England, where we own a Damon Escaper 1999 model.

I now have two broken windscreens. I have seen various forum posts from as far back as 2005, and wondered if anyone could help point me in the right direction.

In the UK, we don't have many dealers for RV's so I'm very much on my own.

I am trying to find out why the screens are breaking (3 screens broken already!) and what I need to do to rectify it. Originally, the drivers side screen started to slip down and come out at the bottom corner. It got so bad you could see daylight at the top of the screen. We removed the screen and accurately measured the screen, the moulding where it fits, and the thickness of the screen rubber. We came to the conclusion that the gap was too large, so we built up the area with riveted aluminium strip, to make it a perfect fit. We did about 500 miles with no problems, then, when I was driving down a very smooth motorway at about 60mph, the screen on the passenger side started to crack. When I arrived at my destination, I parked the vehicle with one screen cracked. When I returned, the other screen was cracked! It had actually cracked whilst I was stationary.

Any pointers you can give me would be very welcome!

Thank you in advance, to anyone that can give me any help. With the shipping costs, here in the UK these screens are about $1,500 each!

My direct email address is weaverLL77@aol.com. My phone number is
(UK)7831 511 214

Kind Regards

Phil Weaver

Southampton

England
Class A

6 Replies

  • tandkj's avatar
    tandkj
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2013
    This is the same thing we had with or 05 Monaco Camelot. WE had to take it to the factory where they rebuilt the front end to keep it from twisting. Didn't work and eventually Monaco took the coach back and gave us the 08 we now have. There is just no fixing the front that I and Monaco know of.
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Nov 26, 2013
    Follow mfg recommendations for leveling. Are you twisting the frame when leveling? Or lack of leveling twisting the frame? The twisting could start when you park somewhere and then advance when you start moving - ie partially pulling windshield from frame then the final cracking starting when moving???
  • phil_weaver's avatar
    phil_weaver
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2013
    Thanks for your advice everyone. It sounds as though the front is flexing, and the windshields are too tight, although it did break a screen when it was way too loose. I think the flex is more dangerous than the tightness.
    I will reinforce the front by welding outriggers to the chassis and taking them forward to the inside of the front section, under the screen.
    If they break again, maybe I'll buy a box of matches and a gallon of gas!
    Thanks - any more thoughts will be welcome

    Phil
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Nov 26, 2013
    It sounds like your opening for the windshields are not sufficiently reinforced to prevent flexing. I have seen my friends windshield crack in his driveway on a 1998 Newmar Dutch Star when his wife racked the front by uneven leveling. I have heard of this effect on various MH's. Has yours cracked this way also or just while driving? I would check the amount of preload between the windshield and the frame where it seats. That opening may be wrong from the factory. If there is more than about an 1/8 in gap I would float in an adhesive around the perimeter of the windshield where it bonds to the frame and letting that cure before the final bond of the windshield. Prior to bonding I would also check the preload by raising the jacks in various positions to see if the frame area is racking. I would look at the dash and reinforce it if needed(mine was loose) it would help support the frame opening. Are you using a Butyl type adhesive with some flexibility or a high strength adhesive like an epoxy? Hope this helps.
  • Ozlander's avatar
    Ozlander
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2013
    Somebody like 'Colaw Rv Parts & Salvage' might have a used windshield. Getting them to ship it might be another story.
  • blangen's avatar
    blangen
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2013
    Any body shop that works on trucks, for example, should be able to help you. Especially, in light of previous work having been done, it's impossible to say what it can be without looking at it. It can be several things, and combinations of things. If the previous work wasn't done by a body shop, I'm guessing the "exact fit" is a little tight. These are big expanses of glass and they are meant to float in a rubber seal as these vehicles flex, some. On top of that, there can be lots of contributing factors. Pick your body shop by length of paint booth (long enough for your rig), just in case.

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