Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg (Hit curb broke both windshields)
 Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95772] |
Fri, 13 August 2010 23:55  |
Mike O'Connell
Messages: 53
Registered: November 2008
Location: Deerfield MA
Karma: 0
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After two years in drydock we set sail for a relatively short trip to Old Orchard Beach, ME. I decided that taking secondary roads was the way to go on our maiden voyage. That proved to be my undoing. I grossly overestimated my RV piloting skills and put the rear wheels over an unseen curb on a backroad 14 miles into the trip. All I heard was a bang and suddenly I was covered I glass chips. I have a Xmas tree shaped set of cracks on the driver's side window about. Five inches from the end of the wndow and arc shaped crack in the same vicinity on the passenger side. I guess it was enough to twist things enough to crack the windows. Does this seem right?
I'm stillonvacation and have't done much research on new windshields yet.both cracks are outside the wiper arc and I can still drive it fine. Does anyone have a suggestion for replacement?
Mike O'Connell
Deerfield, MA
'75 Eleganza
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| Re: Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95777 is a reply to message #95772] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 05:40  |
Rusty
Messages: 197
Registered: October 2005
Location: Philadelphia Pa
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Sounds about right. Some folks have cracked thier windshields by jacking the coach up improperly. Check with your insurance company, they may cover the new glass. I've heard that foreign made windshields have issues with fit. The only american made ones are Viracon, which I had put into my coach 5 yrs ago.
Rusty
75 Glenbrook
Philadelphia Pa
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| Re: Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95784 is a reply to message #95772] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 07:42 |
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Regarding the windshields I suggest that you make arrangements with a glass installer you trust and have him get the Viracon glass through Jim Bounds. That way your supplier can, and should, talk with Jim to get his special, learned from experience, tips on installing the windshields.
Regarding driving. There is a natural tendency to drive the coach too close to the shoulder. For me, at least, I am still regularly checking my RH mirror to check that I'm not drifting to the right.
Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95785 is a reply to message #95772] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 07:47 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Mike,
You need to give the frame a very thorough inspection. Frame
flexibility could be an indicator of rust through. I've never heard
of this happening whle driving. This sometimes occurs when jacking
the coach from one of the front corners.
When ours broke, I called Jim B and he had his glass man drop ship
new glass, gasket, and lock strip to a glass replacement outfit that
Jim's guy had done business with in the past. RV windows are almost
standard in many applications, just shaped differently.
On Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 9:55 PM, Mike O'Connell <moconnell2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> After two years in drydock we set sail for a relatively short trip to Old Orchard Beach, ME. I decided that taking secondary roads was the way to go on our maiden voyage. That proved to be my undoing. I grossly overestimated my RV piloting skills and put the rear wheels over an unseen curb on a backroad 14 miles into the trip. All I heard was a bang and suddenly I was covered I glass chips. I have a Xmas tree shaped set of cracks on the driver's side window about. Five inches from the end of the wndow and arc shaped crack in the same vicinity on the passenger side. I guess it was enough to twist things enough to crack the windows. Does this seem right?
> I'm stillonvacation and have't done much research on new windshields yet.both cracks are outside the wiper arc and I can still drive it fine. Does anyone have a suggestion for replacement?
> --
> Mike O'Connell
> Deerfield, MA
> '75 Eleganza
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95789 is a reply to message #95785] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 08:00 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Mike
If you can get someone to provide you with the 'wag??' numbers, any glass
company should be able to get new glass and give you an opinion on the
condition of your seals.
Specify the 'better' brand of glass.
This should be an insurance claim.
If I could get mine replaced where I live, you shouldn't have a problem
where you are.
Mike in NS
On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 9:47 AM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com>wrote:
> Mike,
> You need to give the frame a very thorough inspection. Frame
> flexibility could be an indicator of rust through. I've never heard
> of this happening whle driving. This sometimes occurs when jacking
> the coach from one of the front corners.
> When ours broke, I called Jim B and he had his glass man drop ship
> new glass, gasket, and lock strip to a glass replacement outfit that
> Jim's guy had done business with in the past. RV windows are almost
> standard in many applications, just shaped differently.
>
> On Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 9:55 PM, Mike O'Connell <moconnell2000@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > After two years in drydock we set sail for a relatively short trip to Old
> Orchard Beach, ME. I decided that taking secondary roads was the way to go
> on our maiden voyage. That proved to be my undoing. I grossly overestimated
> my RV piloting skills and put the rear wheels over an unseen curb on a
> backroad 14 miles into the trip. All I heard was a bang and suddenly I was
> covered I glass chips. I have a Xmas tree shaped set of cracks on the
> driver's side window about. Five inches from the end of the wndow and arc
> shaped crack in the same vicinity on the passenger side. I guess it was
> enough to twist things enough to crack the windows. Does this seem right?
> > I'm stillonvacation and have't done much research on new windshields
> yet.both cracks are outside the wiper arc and I can still drive it fine.
> Does anyone have a suggestion for replacement?
> > --
> > Mike O'Connell
> > Deerfield, MA
> > '75 Eleganza
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Steve Ferguson
> '76 EII
> Sierra Vista, AZ
> Urethane bushing source
> www.bdub.net/ferguson/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95791 is a reply to message #95785] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 08:12 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Libby, Owens, Ford has a glass manufacturing plant in Salem Industrial Park.
U.S. Plant still making OEM replacement windshields etc. Some kind of
throwback to an earlier era I suppose. They work through companies like
Applied GMC and drop ship to a local Glass Wholesaler. Couple of days
service. Marked LOF in the glass. The Chinese don't own Ford yet.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 Royale 403
On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 5:47 AM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com>wrote:
> Mike,
> You need to give the frame a very thorough inspection. Frame
> flexibility could be an indicator of rust through. I've never heard
> of this happening whle driving. This sometimes occurs when jacking
> the coach from one of the front corners.
> When ours broke, I called Jim B and he had his glass man drop ship
> new glass, gasket, and lock strip to a glass replacement outfit that
> Jim's guy had done business with in the past. RV windows are almost
> standard in many applications, just shaped differently.
>
> On Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 9:55 PM, Mike O'Connell <moconnell2000@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > After two years in drydock we set sail for a relatively short trip to Old
> Orchard Beach, ME. I decided that taking secondary roads was the way to go
> on our maiden voyage. That proved to be my undoing. I grossly overestimated
> my RV piloting skills and put the rear wheels over an unseen curb on a
> backroad 14 miles into the trip. All I heard was a bang and suddenly I was
> covered I glass chips. I have a Xmas tree shaped set of cracks on the
> driver's side window about. Five inches from the end of the wndow and arc
> shaped crack in the same vicinity on the passenger side. I guess it was
> enough to twist things enough to crack the windows. Does this seem right?
> > I'm stillonvacation and have't done much research on new windshields
> yet.both cracks are outside the wiper arc and I can still drive it fine.
> Does anyone have a suggestion for replacement?
> > --
> > Mike O'Connell
> > Deerfield, MA
> > '75 Eleganza
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > List Information and Subscription Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Steve Ferguson
> '76 EII
> Sierra Vista, AZ
> Urethane bushing source
> www.bdub.net/ferguson/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95793 is a reply to message #95784] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 08:28 |
Charles
Messages: 455
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Mike,
The glass number is etched or decal in the corner of the glass.
Right and left side numbers are different. Any good Auto Glass
co. should be able to order replacement glass using these numbers.
It took 3 days for my replacement glass to arrive in Ft. Worth TX.
You may need a new seal. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don't
Again you glass installer should be able to check this out. As already
mentioned new seals are available from Coop Motors (Jim Bounds).
I don't know shipping time on that. Give Jim a call. He can answer
any and all questions.
Cooperative Motor Works - Jim Bound's
5971 Anno Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32809
407-857-5777
Charles Wersal
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Charles Wersal
Duncanville, Texas
26 foot 1975 Glenbrook
Pandora's Box
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| Re: Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95804 is a reply to message #95772] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 11:15 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I grossly overestimated my RV piloting skills and put the rear wheels over an unseen curb on a backroad 14 miles into the trip. All I heard was a bang and suddenly I was covered I glass chips. I have a Xmas tree shaped set of cracks on the driver's side window about. Five inches from the end of the wndow and arc shaped crack in the same vicinity on the passenger side. I guess it was enough to twist things enough to crack the windows.
_____________________________________________________
On the Titanic, the passengers went out on deck and were putting the ice shards into their drinks, no such luck here...
I am not surprised to hear the result. We have been warned REPEATEDLY not to use the jack on the front bumper to jack up the RV and change the front tire. It has been know to flex the coach and since the rubber around the windows has taken a sort of set and is not as flexy as it used to be, would crack the windshield..
This is probably what happened to you.
I think there is someone near Indiana that can service glass as can Jim Bounds and I believe, well all the providers should be able to help you, Jim K and Miguel. I see these guys on the GMCnet off and on. There are a couple others too, I don't recall who they are.
Sorry to hear of your adventure with the IceBerg but glad you guys are safe. Your problem had an extreme result and shows how these old girls get stiff in their older age.
Hope one of the providers can help you.
LarC ( Learned about the flex problem early in my GMC ownership )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95814 is a reply to message #95784] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 12:27 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""Regarding driving. There is a natural tendency to drive the coach too close to the shoulder. For me, at least, I am still regularly checking my RH mirror to check that I'm not drifting to the right. ""
We talked about this several years ago and I still find myself doing just that even after 15 driving my GMC. I have never had that problem with any other vehicle including large trucks!!
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95815 is a reply to message #95804] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 12:33 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""I am not surprised to hear the result. We have been warned REPEATEDLY not to use the jack on the front bumper to jack up the RV and change the front tire. It has been know to flex the coach and since the rubber around the windows has taken a sort of set and is not as flexy as it used to be, would crack the windshield..
""
I've always been curious about that flex. Before joining the net, I routinely would jack on one side or the other and my GMC co-horts did the same with no problems. I'm wondering if part of the issue may be the size of the glass itself and how close or tight it may be in the opening.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95825 is a reply to message #95815] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 12:55 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Same here Bob. My frame is/was so rigid jacking from one side in the
front would always raise both sides and I've never cracked glass doing
it. I had the coach up on huge, tall jackstands to swap out the
engine and I noticed after the thing had been up a week, that one jack
stand had a quarter inch between it and the frame.
On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 10:33 AM, Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> ""I am not surprised to hear the result. We have been warned REPEATEDLY not to use the jack on the front bumper to jack up the RV and change the front tire. It has been know to flex the coach and since the rubber around the windows has taken a sort of set and is not as flexy as it used to be, would crack the windshield..
> ""
>
> I've always been curious about that flex. Before joining the net, I routinely would jack on one side or the other and my GMC co-horts did the same with no problems. I'm wondering if part of the issue may be the size of the glass itself and how close or tight it may be in the opening.
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95840 is a reply to message #95814] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 16:01 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Methinks you haven't ridden in the passenger seat enough! Riding there,
you're sure the driver is going to plant every mailbox right between your
legs. After enough riding there a while, I'm happy to drive well to the
left of my lane. :-)
Ken H.
On Sat, Aug 14, 2010 at 1:27 PM, Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> ""Regarding driving. There is a natural tendency to drive the coach too
> close to the shoulder. For me, at least, I am still regularly checking my RH
> mirror to check that I'm not drifting to the right. ""
>
> We talked about this several years ago and I still find myself doing just
> that even after 15 driving my GMC. I have never had that problem with any
> other vehicle including large trucks!!
> --
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #95884 is a reply to message #95840] |
Sat, 14 August 2010 22:26 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""Methinks you haven't ridden in the passenger seat enough! Riding there,
you're sure the driver is going to plant every mailbox right between your
legs. After enough riding there a while, I'm happy to drive well to the
left of my lane. 
"" You are so right about that!. The only time I have ever been on that side is when I broke my shoulder in the smokies and frankly at that time i didn't even care who, where or what was going on!!
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Maiden voyage... Struck an iceberg [message #96127 is a reply to message #95886] |
Mon, 16 August 2010 17:54 |
Mike O'Connell
Messages: 53
Registered: November 2008
Location: Deerfield MA
Karma: 0
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Member |
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I've jacked my GMC all kinds of different ways and had no issues with the windshield before this.
I must say that I hit the curb very hard at speed and that must have tweaked the body considerably to break the windshield like it did. I had all kinds of stuff flying off shelves and out of the fridge.
Looking at the glass it seems like the curved window was trying to be flattened out (to > 90 degrees) kind of like what happens to the corner of an open shoe box if you tried to "rack" the sides back and forth. Glass doesn't like that treatment apparently.
I paid a lot of attention driving home as to why I might have made this mistake and I think it's because I use minor road imperfections to mentally map where the wheels are on the road. I can "feel" the front wheels quite well but I cannot feel the rears at all. Since the rears are wider I hit things.
I adopted a sight-line technique whereby I keep the centerline intersecting the left corner of the dash and the white line at the edge of the road intersecting where the windshield divider hits the dash (or maybe just a little to the left of that). I had my SO in a car behind me to verify I was where I thought I was on the road.
Mike O'Connell
Deerfield, MA
'75 Eleganza
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