RV Windshield Repair

Just as night follows day, sooner or later the inevitable happens to everyone who has a motorhome......that is that a rock, stone or pebble will strike your windshield. It's not a matter of 'if,' it's a matter of 'when,' and how bad the resulting damage is to the windshield. Fortunately all of today's front windshield glass is tempered and double thick so generally the chip or break is only limited to the outside glass and not the inside. After this event eventually happens, the question is what to do and when to do it.

The first step in this process is one of preventative maintenance. Make sure that you have a special rider attached to your motorhome insurance policy that specifically covers the replacement of the front windshield. For the few extra dollars that it will cost for this rider plus the minimal deductible, usually $100, it's well worth it. The price to replace a single piece front windshield with original manufacturer's glass is anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000. If you have a split front windshield each piece is usually around $600 to $750.

If a stone hits your windshield and chips it, I would suggest that you contact a local mobile windshield repair company, found in the local telephone book, wherever you are and have them come to you as soon as possible and have it professionally repaired. There are no guarantees that this work, however it usually does. You don't want to drive any further than necessary as the movement of the coach over the road might cause a small chip to travel. Usually if the chip is smaller than a quarter, it can be repaired. The cost for a mobile windshield repair professional is usually around $40 to $60.

Do-it-yourself kits are available at Wal-Mart for about $10 and they might work in a pinch such as if you are in Mexico and need to repair it yourself. However the best way is for a professional to drill a hole through the outside glass into the center of the chip and using a special bridging tool inject epoxy to fill the hole and all of its surroundings. Then heat the surface and finally put a sealer on it and let it cure. It sounds easy, but there is a certain amount of 'feel' that only comes with a lot of experience. Once the windshield is repaired you are 'good-to-go' usually without further worry that the chip will travel and the windshield will have to be replaced.

Insurance Claims

Even if you have a zero deductible on your windshield coverage, I wouldn't try to make a claim on a simple windshield repair.......save it until you really need it!!

Caution: The maintenance recommendations on this page are meant as general guidelines only. Always consult with a professional RV mechanic, your owner's manual, and/or your authorized RV dealer BEFORE performing any maintenance procedures. See 'Legal Disclaimer' below.

Purchase Windshield Cleaning Products at Camping World:

Auto Wash Stick

Protect All Quick & Easy Wash

Telescoping Window Washer

Legal Disclaimer & Caution: Before using any advice, and/or performing any maintenance procedures recommended on this website you should consult with your RV dealer, and/or a professional Motorhome or RV mechanic. The recommendations and advice given on this website are intended as general guidelines ONLY, and may not pertain to your particular make and/or model of RV or Motorhome. Use these suggestions, repair tips, and/or maintenance advice AT YOUR OWN RISK. Under no circumstances will this website, or any of its officers or employees be liable for any consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages even if appraised of the likelihood of such damages occurring. The owners of this website do not warrant the information against errors, omissions or deficiencies of any kind.

Back To: RV Tech Tips