RV & Motorhome Windshield Replacement in Wichita, KS

Why RV windshields are different

A Class A motorhome windshield can be several times the size of a car windshield, curved in more than one direction, and specific to a particular coach maker and model year. That affects almost everything about replacing it:

• Parts are often ordered. Many RV windshields are not stocked locally, so availability, shipping and crating are part of the timeline.
• Handling takes more people. Large windshields are heavy and awkward, and installation commonly needs more than one installer and sometimes lifting equipment.
• Not every shop does RVs. Ask before booking, and ask whether the shop has done your type of coach.

Know your RV type before you ask for a quote

• Class A (bus-style motorhomes): either a one-piece windshield or a two-piece windshield split down the middle. With a two-piece windshield, often only the damaged side needs replacing, which can save money and time. Glass is commonly set in a rubber gasket or bonded, depending on the coach.
• Class C (cab-over motorhomes): the windshield is usually the same as the van or truck chassis the motorhome was built on, such as a cutaway van chassis. That generally makes parts easier to find. The cab-over area and side windows are coach parts.
• Class B (camper vans): built on full-size van platforms, so the windshield matches the van and may include cameras that need calibration.
• Towables (travel trailers and fifth wheels): no windshield, but front and side windows, often framed acrylic or tempered glass units supplied by the window maker.

Write down the coach make, model, year and chassis, and take a photo of the front. A photo of any labels in the corner of the glass helps the shop find the exact part.

Chip repair matters even more on an RV

Because an RV windshield can be expensive and slow to source, repairing a chip before it spreads is especially worthwhile. Motorhomes are also more prone to flexing on rough roads than cars, which can make chips run. If you get a chip on the way to a campground, cover it with clear tape, avoid blasting the dash defroster at cold glass, and get it looked at soon. See rock chip repair.

On-site service at home or the storage lot

Many RVs around Wichita live at storage lots or on rural properties, and driving a coach with a cracked windshield to a shop is not always practical. Some shops will work on-site, but RV windshields need space, a fairly level spot, calm wind and dry weather, and installers may need access to the front cap and dash. Kansas wind is a real limitation for handling a large windshield outdoors. Ask whether the work can be done where the RV is parked or needs a covered bay. See mobile windshield service.

Timing around camping season

Many Wichita-area RV owners head to nearby lakes and parks, such as Cheney Reservoir west of town or El Dorado Lake to the east, in spring and summer, which is also hail season. If the windshield needs to be ordered, starting early helps. Before a long trip, check the glass for chips, the seal around the windshield for gaps or dried rubber, and the wipers for wear.

Leaks around an RV windshield

Water on the dash after rain can come from the windshield seal, but on many motorhomes it comes from the front cap, marker lights or roof seams above the windshield. A careful water test helps pinpoint the source before anyone replaces glass. If the windshield gasket has dried and cracked with age, a reseal or new gasket may solve it.

Insurance for RV glass

Motorhomes are usually insured on a separate RV or motorhome policy. Glass damage from rocks or hail is commonly handled under that policy's comprehensive coverage, subject to the deductible, but RV policies vary. Kansas law (K.S.A. 40-2,155) on choosing a glass shop applies to policies covering motor vehicles. See windshield insurance claims in Kansas.

Side windows, entry doors and the cab-over

RV side windows are usually framed units made by the window manufacturer, with the glass, frame and seals sold together or as replaceable pieces depending on the brand. Entry door windows and the cab-over window on a Class C are coach parts, not chassis parts. Some auto glass shops replace these; others refer them to an RV service center. If a side window is fogged between the panes on a dual-pane unit, that is a failed seal rather than broken glass, and the fix is different. Give the shop the window maker's label if you can find it on the frame.

Questions to ask about an RV quote

• Have you replaced windshields on this coach or chassis before?
• Is the glass in stock, or how long does ordering usually take?
• For a two-piece windshield, can just the damaged side be replaced?
• Is the windshield set in a gasket or bonded, and is a new gasket included?
• Can the work be done at my storage lot, and what weather or space do you need?
• What is the cure time before the RV can be driven, and what warranty terms come with the job?

What does it cost? See published Wichita-area and national ranges for replacement cost factors in the cost guide.

Good to know: Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation. Ask for a written quote that lists the glass, any calibration and the warranty terms.