Front window rock protection

ChanW

@Ratkity, yeah, I wondered about that.  I'm thinking it might be nice to replace it with the plastic one. Probably won't until it turns into 'millions of tiny little pieces that are impossible to clean up' though... 

Homebodyatheart

@Ratkity it appears to be a double pane window as the cracks are on the outside piece, but the inside piece has no cracks. Thanks for the info on clear Gorilla tape! I didn't know, and wanted something I could see through vs duct tape, my second choice!

jkjenn

ChanW said:

I dunno @jkjenn, I wonder if our front windows might be less susceptible to damage because they're (tempered?) glass.

I'm not looking forward to hooking a trailer to the back of the Tab for all its accessories!

Maybe better mud flaps would suffice?

Just a thought. (I do like your solutions @Dalehelman )

I honestly don't know, but I would hate to find out, the hard way. So far so good, but I wouldn't mind a solution if it did not involve a permanent install.

ChanW

I suppose finding out 'the hard way' isn't ideal. I wonder if there's some kind of 'roll up' cushioning material that could be attached to the glass for travel. Or maybe some kind of applied film that would permanently protect the glass.

jkjenn

ChanW said:

I suppose finding out 'the hard way' isn't ideal. I wonder if there's some kind of 'roll up' cushioning material that could be attached to the glass for travel. Or maybe some kind of applied film that would permanently protect the glass.

Good question. I wonder if you couldn't get some of the refelctix and sew some type of corner pockets on it? The film is also an interesting thought. Sort of like the cell phone protective screens. Maybe we just need Gorilla Glass!

Michigan_Mike

 Ratkity said:

@ChanW I recall someone saying they got hit by a rock during travel had their non-opening window and it was tempered, but did not have the 'plastic' sandwich that a front window of a vehicle has. It's more like the side windows of a vehicle. The people who had their window broken said they were picking tiny glass pieces forever.

I had my former Silvershadow stargazer window shattered by an errant rock that was tossed up by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction up in Helena, Montana, shattering the safety glass.  I do see value added in Dale's mod, especially if you are traveling on gravel surfaces and on roads like the ALCAN highway.  I sent a note on to the factory to get a flavor as to how many T@B windows or experiences they've had along this line.  I find it interesting that many RV companies do incorporate a cover over the front windows  and I'm curious as to the added value of the Lexan windows in these types of events.   I will see what happens and will post up any information I receive.

ChanW

Yeah, the more you-all make me think about it... The more sense it makes. Now I'll have to get creative. Neoprene wetsuit material?

Dalehelman

ChanW said:

Yeah, the more you-all make me think about it... The more sense it makes. Now I'll have to get creative. Neoprene wetsuit material?

Now you're thinking.

ericnliz

Just gotta get the diver to hold on tight!

ChanW

Might be all around easier to replace the window with the plastic one, and use your idea, Dale! 
Then we'd have a nice opening front window.

Homebodyatheart

@ChanW, no, I wouldn't. My lexan front outer window is the one that cracked a couple of trips ago. My vote would be window cover over the plastic/lexan window. That said, I have an old wet suit I could play with...hmmmm.

BTW, The Happy Camper Wives had their front window shatter into smithereens all over the inside of their trailer. They have a YouTube video of the whole mess, and how they handled it. I'll take cracked plastic any day!

dsatwork

so much for it supposed be bullet proof plastic...I swear I heard the Hadocy guy say that on a video. So I looked it up and sure enough he says it in the Tab 400 video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRQ7ZbXZCI not so bullet proof window I guess.... but that doesn't sound as good. But the point is well taken that a cracked piece of plastic is better than a shattered piece of glass every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

jkjenn

dsatwork said:

so much for it supposed be bullet proof plastic...I swear I heard the Hadocy guy say that on a video. So I looked it up and sure enough he says it in the Tab 400 video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRQ7ZbXZCI not so bullet proof window I guess.... but that doesn't sound as good. But the point is well taken that a cracked piece of plastic is better than a shattered piece of glass every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Great example of what the dealer says vs. reality. Hadocey is a great dealer, but they can all over-state things.

dsatwork

jkjenn said:

dsatwork said:

so much for it supposed be bullet proof plastic...I swear I heard the Hadocy guy say that on a video. So I looked it up and sure enough he says it in the Tab 400 video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRQ7ZbXZCI not so bullet proof window I guess.... but that doesn't sound as good. But the point is well taken that a cracked piece of plastic is better than a shattered piece of glass every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Great example of what the dealer says vs. reality. Hadocey is a great dealer, but they can all over-state things.

I'm sure he meant it's really tough...not literally "Bullet Proof" 

Dalehelman

dsatwork said:

jkjenn said:

dsatwork said:

so much for it supposed be bullet proof plastic...I swear I heard the Hadocy guy say that on a video. So I looked it up and sure enough he says it in the Tab 400 video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRQ7ZbXZCI not so bullet proof window I guess.... but that doesn't sound as good. But the point is well taken that a cracked piece of plastic is better than a shattered piece of glass every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Great example of what the dealer says vs. reality. Hadocey is a great dealer, but they can all over-state things.

I'm sure he meant it's really tough...not literally "Bullet Proof" 

True Jenn but it is not likely that It really needs to be billet proof. At least outside of  Chicago.

Ratkity

Them tiny rocks can go faster than a .22! Not that I've measured. Just based on the smack and the heart attack factor while driving.

COcamper

I thought this was a fantastic idea @Dalehelman . I bought the exact same materials, did the project, even cut the plastic a tad big so there's a slight bow when sliding it into the groove as recommended, and everything seemed to fit very tight and great. I gave myself the proverbial pat on the back for a job well done.

And then the corrugated plastic came out while towing. I don't know when but it was there and then it wasn't. The channels remained perfectly in place. 

Does anyone else have ideas to improve this hack? 

ericnliz

I think (yeah, I know, dangerous stuff), since @Dalehelman's posting of this mod, he made improvements to alleviate the condition you just described. I know we were talking, and he mentioned his "sliding" in the channels. Not sure what was done about it. Maybe he'll chime in here and give you an update......Dale? 

Dalehelman

I did make a modification. Aluminum strips held on by thumb screws into plastic channel. This had worked for over 3000 miles.

jgram2

@Dalehelman In addition to being a great hacker, you post great hacking photos!

COcamper

Thank you @Dalehelman. I'll try to figure out something similar, and really appreciate the pics you posted.

gbell

5/8 in. x 96 in. x 5/8 in. Thermoclear Polycarbonate Multi-Wall U-Channel

Model#  PCTWU-16MM

this is what home depot has, i can't find the sunlite brand, would this work? or is there a site that sells what you used for the u channel.

thanks

Dalehelman

gbell said:

5/8 in. x 96 in. x 5/8 in. Thermoclear Polycarbonate Multi-Wall U-Channel

Model#  PCTWU-16MM

this is what home depot has, i can't find the sunlite brand, would this work? or is there a site that sells what you used for the u channel.

thanks

Home Depot is where I purchased mine. I found the one I bought in fiberglass roof section.

Bert

I ended up buying 1/4 inch aluminum channel. The 8mm originally discussed is .32 inch wide. I don't think you would want the channel to be too wide or the cover might fall out. I'm concerned that the sides of my U-channel might not be tall enough to do the job. How tall was the U-channel Delehlman used? I won't cut my channel until I learn more. 

Dalehelman

Bert said:

I ended up buying 1/4 inch aluminum channel. The 8mm originally discussed is .32 inch wide. I don't think you would want the channel to be too wide or the cover might fall out. I'm concerned that the sides of my U-channel might not be tall enough to do the job. How tall was the U-channel Delehlman used? I won't cut my channel until I learn more. 

9/16 deep

Bert

Thanks!

Bill_in_Tulsa

Photomom said:

Nice. We went a different way - full glass coverage on our T@B insurance policy.

That is great, however that will not take care of a wet bed and full of Glass on a Trip to Alaska.....

Bill_in_Tulsa

Dalehelman said:

There have been several reports of front window damage do to flying rocks. Although we have not experienced that we are getting some very small nicks in the plastic. There is one small dent next to the window. Had that rock hit the window it would most likely have broken it. Here is my approach to protecting that window. I  sourced the 3 items from Home Depot 

1 pc of  corrugated black plastic 24"x36" sku# 074507996159  $9.22
1 pc plastic sunlite 8mm U channel 8' sku#
763552401397  $4.47
1 roll of Scotch or 3M red back double sided trim tape. About $5.00

Hi Dale,

Bill Johnson here. Looks great. I read some place that this window is lexan? Is that correct?
I am surprised that is chatters? I love you modification. No I do not have a T@B as you know I have a Silver Shadow. I just added a lexan cover for my drivers side door window for our up and coming Alaska trip. Good Job should work good!

Bill_in_Tulsa

ChanW said:

I dunno @jkjenn, I wonder if our front windows might be less susceptible to damage because they're (tempered?) glass.

I'm not looking forward to hooking a trailer to the back of the Tab for all its accessories!

Maybe better mud flaps would suffice?

Just a thought. (I do like your solutions @Dalehelman )

Have you not be driving down a gravel road and have a Pickup drive by at 50 mph and throw gravel that breaks head light and windshields? Well, I have more than once! So I understand the need for this mod unless you will never drive down a gravel road. I vote yes even though I do not have a T@B...

Good luck. Better mud flaps on you TV will not help.

lkc001

@Dalehelman --good to see you're back at your famous mods!  Just to confirm, you used the double sided tape to attach the U channel, no screws, correct?