Cracked Windshield and Frame Distortion

[Slabman]

Lately we have noticed the cabinet doors under the main TV area are
misaligned, suggesting the outside wall is lower than in the middle
over the frame rails. Using a level, I can see floor slopes to the
outside in this area and under the shower, which is about midway
between frt. and rear drive axles on this 45 ft. coach. So today,
while pulling out of a driveway onto a crowned road, I again
experienced a cracked driver's side windshield. TS did install the X-
bracing before they closed up, so I thought I was somewhat protected
from this occurrence.

Because I'm always careful about driving over an area which might
twist the frame, I'm wondering if I have broken frame members in the
basement area which has led to the door misalignment and enough
flexure to crack the windshield. Has anyone experienced any of these
issues and where might I find a good frame shop to have this checked
out? Also need a windshield replacement vendor. I'm now in the
Minneapolis area, heading south from here to Dallas.

[OldHatt45]

Slabman,

It sounds to me like it might not be the main frame rails. The main
frame rails are pretty much inboard of the exterior walls. But there
have to be outside frame members that are sitting on the main rails in
kind of a ladder type construction, that actually provides the base
for the flooring and walls. I would guess that these are probably the
frame members that might be the problem, since the ones I've seen are
much lighter than the main rails. I also recall a thread a while back
discussing the weakness in the "auxilliary" framing in the rear area
of some of the TS units and the need for checking and possibly
replacing or beefing up the framing in that area.

I had the Cross Bracing done when I bought my 40ft ds02 and in looking
at that bracing it was only to keep the main rails from twisting. It
does nothing for the outboard framing, directly. Now, that said, I
think that the Main Rails would be the likely cause of the Windshield
problem, but the floor sloping, doesn't sound like it's a problem with
the Main Rails.

Sorry it's not an answer and Just some food for thought.

Drew

[Jamie Holtz]

Our 40 dso2 had rear framing failure of the basemnt structure at the rear hangers by the rear tandems. The angled carriers I guess had broken welds which we had plates made for each side top and bottom which were welded on it really beefed up the area. But this is a 02 and I believe was common back then. That's all I know of frame problems and Spartan went over it really good during our class and service visit.

Sent from my Samsung Intercept™

OldHatt45 <c.d.b...@farandaweigh.com> wrote:

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[Slabman]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I finally got to a place with a
concrete pad so I can jack up the coach and go under there. Yes, I
don't think the main rails would be an issue, rather, the TS-added
steel would be the likely problem. I also remember the two transverse
basement floor members were of insufficient strength to properly carry
loadings and plan to focus on those initially, but who knows what
else? Too much going on in this coach, so there has to be a problem
somewhere.

[Linda Critchlow]

I have the 45' TS select 2006 and have had to replace 3 windshields.  My recent trip was going about 60 mph and the left top of the windshield popped right out of the frame. Lucky I was able to pull into a rest stop and a nice gentlemen stopped and had a ladder and we duck taped it to the frame.  Guess it will have to stay this way and not travel.   This unit is a disaster - how in the hell could you possibly sell these units with all these issues.  My tile brakes across the middle of the coach,  I had the x-bracing done and it never helped my issue with the windshield.  Linda Critchlow

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Best Regards,

Linda Critchlow,

Owner,

CRITCHLOW & ASSOCIATES

80501 AVE. 48 #174

INDIO, CA

FAX:  760-406-9702
PH  760-902-2237

[Curt]

I believe the problem is in the leveling jacks failing and twisting
the coach for long periods of time. With the frame twisted, something
has got to give. When mine is on jacks, I square it up as often as
twice a week. We have only popped out one windshield, and currently
have a crack in the other, but that was when my wife was in it alone
for an extended period of time and I was not there to insure it was
square. I have said before that someone should file a class action
lawsuit againts Equalizer.

[rickster47401]

When we had our bracing done by Bishop he also replaced two brackets
that fasten the lower rails to the main frame member just in front of
rear duals with a much more substantial bracket assembley. We have
still to have any problems after having this all done.
2005 select 45'
Rick Crouch.

[Linda Critchlow]

I also have to square mine but that doesn't solve an issue, this last time my window just popped out of frame driving down the freeway.  I used to think it was due to the stress of moving out of our permanent spot as I had to turn sharp and back up with small bump there.  It also appeared to happen when I used the auto leveler - since I quit doing that it doesn't happen as often.

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[OldHatt45]

Linda,

If you look at a couple of the previous posts in this thread, and
possibly look back through the archives, it could be (and I'm not
defending the old TS) that the transverse framing has broken welds, or
has rusted out, or is flexing, or ?????

Since I thnk you said you had the Cross Bracing Done, I would look at
these other framing members. (The cross bracing frm what I've seen on
my 40ft rig does nothing for the transverse framing.) Especially
since the floor tiles in the middle of your unit are cracking/
breaking. And also since your TS is a 45ft rig, there are additional
weight considerations given the length of the unit and the distance
between the axles. It's just logical (to me anyway) that since the
Cross bracing has been done, and you're still having a problem that
there is something else going on. And the only thing I can think of
is some of the other framing of the unit. And given that the walls of
the rig don't sit diretly over the main frame rails, something has to
support them. If you put weight out at the walls, the transverse
framing has to support that weight, therefore if it's not rigid, it
will flex. If it does flex, then the ends go down and the middle
comes up. And bang, your floor tiles crack.

To play with what I'm talking about, take a yard stick. Set it on a
flat surface. Put 5 pencils under it spaced evenly along the length
of the yard stick, with the outer 2 pencils very close to the edges.
Now put a little weight on top of the ends. then pull the outer 2
pencils out from under the yard stick.
What happens?????

Just thinking out loud.

Drew

[Linda Critchlow]

thanks for your comments, unfortunately my husband passed away in April and for me to handle all this is more than I need in my life.  I just wish I could sell it but that seems impossible with all the issues I have with it - wouldn't sell it to my worst enemy!!!  Linda

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[Bishop Christensen]

Linda,

We are installing a front cap steel halo this month on a 45’ Travel Supreme Select. I will be taking progress pictures through out the process. This is the direction that all manufacturers are heading, Newell, Entegra, Winnabego, and Newmar are just a few. The halo locks the firewall to the side walls and the roof. This is the change that made the single piece windshield much more viable.

Bishop Christensen

www.travelsupremeservice.com

[Linda Critchlow]

I have the double windshield, 2 pieces.

Sent from my iPhone

Linda critchlow

[Bishop Christensen]

I understand that. My comment was just to demonstrate the success of the halo. 

Bishop Christensen

Service Manager

Midwest Custom RV Service Center

(888)504-8801