Leaking Windshields on Winnebago Vectra

[hermanmullins]

I won't try to cover all you have said.

But for the windshield. It seems that you can not get the factory to correct the problem so try this. Go to a RV location that has accessories and look for the stick on guttering. Put it on with the botton edge right at the windshield. Be sure to go all the way across to cover the whole windshield. After you install the guttering seal the top edge with silicone. This will prevent water from coming down the coach and under the windshield molding.

Good Luck.

[Guest Wayne77590]

And my wife has named our MH, "Citrus," so she can be politically correct.

Same problem with windshield on our 2008 Winnebago.

[desertdeals69]

If the steel is structurally sound I would use the same black adhesive/sealer that they use to install windshields on a fiberglass front cap. I had two new windshields installed this summer and they used a material from a caulking gun that resembled black silicone. Since it is black I would not reinstall the t moulding just fill the gap to be flush with the glass and fiberglass.

[hanko]

Well mess my pants. Im glad I found this out before I plunked down a couple hundred grand on a new Journey. I'll forward this to the dealer in Iowa and see if they respond.

[Indianajourney]

We have not had any rust problems with our windshield so far. The motorhome is stored inside when it is not being used. I had the windshield trim off of it in the first year because of water running down the inside of the windshield. While the trim was off I used windshield sealer from the auto supply to fill the top edge of the windshield. I filled to where the water would run off of the edge instead of pooling on the top and maybe causing rust on the metal. This has seemed to work so far.

We have had 3 Winnebago motorhomes. The last one was the first new one. The other ones were used. This is the first one to give us any real problems. The problems started after the Winnebago warranty was expired. Three years after purchase the Freightliner ECM went bad. Freightliner would only offer to pay a small part of the repair. This was 13 days after their warranty had expired. I had just gotten it out of the barn after 5 months of storage when the problem occurred. Since we were going to the Winnebago factory we tried to talk to one of the "customer service" reps see if they would help us. The rep said "gee, I'm sorry to hear about your problem but we don't tell Freightliner how to run their warranties". We later made several calls to Freightliner and they paid for the repair, no thanks to Winnebago. Freightliner later paid for replacing a fuel strainer($300+) since the book that came with the new coach didn't have it listed in the maintenance charts. They also overnighted a new manual to us.

Cummins has been the best for the engine. Three new turbos and one new lift pump without any charges. All caused by the fuel strainer.

Onan wasn't as good. Ours also lost the magnets @ 142.5 hrs. We had to pay $430.67 and Onan paid $2659.25. This was because they used the wrong adhesive for the magnets. We thought that this was a manufacturing defect and should have been fully covered.

Winnebago has been little help, if any, since the warranty ran out. I hope that some day they find that a little help goes a long way toward keeping a customer.

Right now my wife will not even consider another Winnebago because of the treatment by the reps @ winnebago.

Good Luck,

Indiana Journey

[lwasouth]

This is our 5th Winnebago product and our last 2 have had windshield leaks. Our 05 Adventurer had leaks from the rust problem, but they were sealed using "Proseal 34" a clear wet or dry marine sealer along the top of the windshield. Duncan systems later replaced the glass due to cracks in the glass from an impact. They sanded the metal to remove the rust, primed it with a spcial primer and replaced the glass. No more leaks.

They advised us that many leaks start from people who close their large slides and don't leave a window open to relieve the pressure. If you don't think a lot of pressure is created, put your hand by the open window when closing a slide.

All of the chassis problems, missing filters etc. come from the chassis builder not the coach builder.

[gb421009]

We have an 06 Meridian.

I removed the rubber trim, wire brushed the frame above the windshield and then sealed the windshield with 3M Windshield adhesive.

Replaced the rubber and no more leak.

[cricard04]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I've continued to talk to Winnebago, specifically the Service manager. He was no more helpful than the CEO of Winnebago; in fact he suggested that I wasn't taking care of my Winnebago Vectra as I should to protect my investment. I informed him that I would put my Vectra up against any other Vectra out there of the same age; its had a lot of improvements and upgrades made to it and the maintenance cost has never been spared to keep the RV in good operating condition or up to date since I purchased it new. I get a lot of comments on how nice my coach looks and the condition its in, except for the windshield problem.

It's truly sad that a company the size of Winnebago won't stand behind their product when the problem is their design. I have had more RV windshield repair people look at the windshield since I posted the original message. One company indicated that they could repair the problem but I should suspect to see the problem return in 4-5 years. Frankly, I'm not interested in the problem returning ever; each time I talk to one of these companies I like to discuss exactly how they plan to clean and treat the rust problem and what they are going to do to prevent it from happening in the future.

"RV Glass solutions", looked at my windshields, they say I have a few stone chips that should qualify them for free replacement in Florida; if so all I need to do is find out how they would clean the rust out and prevent it from happening again. They could do that here in Florida; I need to follow up on their solution.

If that doesn't work out, I think what I'm going to do, (unless I hear from a company that really has a good plan for fixing the problem), when I get back to my northern home is to remove the black seal and trim plates, the interior trim etc. Then I'm going to see if I can seal the metal around the rusted area so that I can sand blast all the rust out. After that I will treat the metal with a rust killer like Naval Jelly or something similar; I'll also check and make sure I don't have one of the roof marker lights leaking. It was also suggested that I look into a paint called POR-15, which can be bought on Amazon, that is supposed to also neutralize rust and keep it from returning; that paint looked promising based on what I read. If I can accomplish that I have a couple options: I can have the windshields removed and finish treating the metal that windshield was attached to or if the thickness of the seal between the glass and metal is thick enough I may be able to clean out the sealant that is there, clean the metal and reseal the windshields.

The bottomline is that Winnebago has an extremely poor attitude regarding this problem. Guardian provides the windshields and will charge $650 per windshield to replace them. Winnebago wanted $750 to remove each the existing windshields, clean the metal and reinstall the windshields. If they broke one, I would have to pay for the new windshields. Some simple math shows how rediculous this is: Winnebago $1500 plus windshield cost if they break one (50% chance). Do it my self: break windshields with hammer and have Guardian put in new ones $1300 plus cost of cleaning the metal < $100.

If I ever purchase a new coach, it won't be a Winnebago!

[dickandlois]

cricard04,

I will attach a link to a product called Chassis Saver. Its a pant over rust formulated pant. Always a good idea to clean the surfaces well before applying thought. It comes in silver,gray and black colors. The black will turn gray in time when exposed to sun light. After it drys it can be sanded with 400 grit and painted any color.

Must warn you it in not cheap,however it covers so well that a pint will probably do 4 to 6 windshields. Also! it does not store well once its been opened. so its best to use it up with in a week or two on any rusted areas of the coach frame. Use an old paint brush because cleanup is a nasty task,but it will really protect things. If water can get under it,that is about the only way that it will finely fail.

http://www.magnetpai...m/underbody.asp

Hope this info. helps a little R.M.

[Guest Wayne77590]

Cricard,

Nor will I purchase the same brand.

[Stan4d]

We can confirm that Winnebago doesn't use the best design for windshields, and that factory service falls short of what one would hope. Still, we love our 2004 Ultimate Freedom, and we're glad Winnebago stayed afloat during the past few difficult years. It's great to have a source of technical expertise and parts.

We had the driver's side windshield crack at the top while on the east coast in the summer of 2010, during a five month round-the-country trip. We finally arranged for us and a replacement windshield to be in the same place at the same time at Duncan's in Elkhart IN, where rust was found around the window. Duncans cleaned up the rust, and put on some treatment that they thought would prevent a recurrence. They said this wasn't unusual on Winnebagos. So far so good.

Then last fall the passenger side windshield developed a crack, also from the top. Our local repair facility said that in all probability our windshields cracked BECAUSE of rust, although that's not something you want to propose to your insurer, since cracks from rocks are covered under comprehensive, but cracks due to rust aren't because that's a maintenance issue. So again we had the rust removed, and the steel frame treated, and a new windshield installed. So far so good again. We never had leaking, even though we've owned the coach since 2006 and keep it within a mile of the Pacific Ocean.

So yes, Winnebago should do a better job of design and customer support, but the coach fits our needs very well, and we expect to enjoy it for quite a while longer.

Stan

[billbaldwin]

My 2004 Vectra had no windshield problems but my 2006 did.. A little clear windshield sealant and it's OK now.

I agree Winnebago can be difficult to deal with if you get the wrong person. I've had better luck letting the dealer talk with the Winnebago folks.

I'm on my second Vectra and I love it. For the most part Winnebago makes a fine product

[lcgilder]

I recently purchased a 2005 Winnebago Adventurer from a dealer. I drove several hours away to evaluate the coach prior to purchase, however I arrived after hours on the evening of inspection and had to spend the night in the town where it was located. I decided to ride over to the lot that night to take a look in person, because so far all I had seen was internet pics.

I noticed a piece of masking tape that seemed to be holding the middle rubber seal on between the windshields as if it were re-glued or something. I asked the sales guy the next day about it, and he said that the strip had to be re-glued. At that time I had no idea of this massive problem with Winnebago windshields.

The coach checked out and I bought it and took it home. After a couple of days I decided to wash it. It looked like it was raining inside of the passenger windshield. I ran in and checked it out. I removed the inside plastic panels to get a better look at the upper passenger windshield. There I found where the water was coming from and a little rust.

That night I searched the RV forums for the topic of leaking Winnebago windshields and was abhorred at what I saw. There is a never ending pool of information out there on the net. So I ended up taking the rubber molding off the exterior upper windshield, and sure enough, I found rust and water. I was shocked. To prevent any further injury to the coach because we are expecting rain, I wire brushed the rust spots and treated with an anti-corrosive, then I sealed with a Black Marine RTV all the way across. I am going to let it cure for 48 hours and leak check it. I cannot help but wonder what kind of rust is above that windshield in the front cap.

I am hoping that this fixes the leak, but I know that the inevitable is coming, which is to remove the windshields, grind off the rust, prime the metal, and new windshields. I intend to call the dealer tomorrow. This is something that they had to have known about, especially for having the coach on the lot since December. Anyone's thoughts or similar problems on this?

[N7KGA]

Good morning;

This topic did get my attention. I bought a Winnebago Elandan through an estate sale, and one of the things noted was the condition of the upper windshield molding and gasket. I quickly made a temporary patch. While it is something that concerns me, I had also thought that I could have it repaired. It may be that it will definitely need to be repaired, and from all of the suggestions offered here, I have a much better idea of how to proceed. Thank you for that.

One thing I did not realize is the point that a Winnebago dealer or repair shop has no obligation nor incentive to be careful with the existing windshield while they are working on the watertight integrity of the rubber molded gasket and seal for the windshield. If they break it while working on it, then it is my responsibility and financial obligation to pay full list price for a new one, does seem a bit unusual in the repair industry. I do not recall a similar policy with any of the service industries where I worked at times in the past, and several of them were with motor vehicles. If I had ever made an error to the extent that it caused a problem with the customer's vehicle, it would be at my expense to correct that problem to the customer's satisfaction.

While the mechanical parts of this Elandan seem to be in pretty good condition, there have been an awful lot "little things" inside the coach part that have needed attention. This has turned out to be a "project." Oh, well. It actually is cheaper than golf or visiting the taverns, so I guess it is still a good thing.

Enjoy;

Ralph

Latte Land, Washington