12-11-2023, 08:07 AM
On my trip back, no idea when, I received a crack in my Driver's side windshield. When Viracon was still in business, this would have been easy. Either get it from them to a glass installer or go to the factory and have it replaced. It appears that Newell used the same windshields from around 1991 till 1999.
Not so now. Evidently the glass tooling was sold to RV Custom Glass Solutions and they now supply newell and installers on demand. I spoke with them and they assured me that the tint band and overall tint will match the old Viracon windshields as they have not changed the vinyl nor formulation of the glass and it's made on the same tooling as before.
They were VERY helpful and I am expecting a picture of the glass shortly. In any event, newell does NOT have New Old Stock. I can only hope that they do match, other wise I will be setting up for an extended haggle with my insurance carrier to replace the passenger side as well. Seems to me it would be pretty distracting to have two different colors on your windshields!
Oddly, my carrier Progressive, has you call their main number, then the transfer you to their RV Glass dept, who then transfers you to Safelite who then transfers you to their RV Glass department. Be prepared for a shuffle. The Safelite RV Glass department supervisor indicated that, in the event the one side does NOT match, they would try and convince the insurance carrier to replace the other side. However, that is not a guarantee.
I am hoping it doesn't come to that.
Not so now. Evidently the glass tooling was sold to RV Custom Glass Solutions and they now supply newell and installers on demand. I spoke with them and they assured me that the tint band and overall tint will match the old Viracon windshields as they have not changed the vinyl nor formulation of the glass and it's made on the same tooling as before.
They were VERY helpful and I am expecting a picture of the glass shortly. In any event, newell does NOT have New Old Stock. I can only hope that they do match, other wise I will be setting up for an extended haggle with my insurance carrier to replace the passenger side as well. Seems to me it would be pretty distracting to have two different colors on your windshields!
Oddly, my carrier Progressive, has you call their main number, then the transfer you to their RV Glass dept, who then transfers you to Safelite who then transfers you to their RV Glass department. Be prepared for a shuffle. The Safelite RV Glass department supervisor indicated that, in the event the one side does NOT match, they would try and convince the insurance carrier to replace the other side. However, that is not a guarantee.
I am hoping it doesn't come to that.
Be seeing you,
Rick Miller
#423
1996, 45'+, Non-slide, Series 60, ABS, 1.5 Bath, Reverse Floorplan