Sometime during our run south from Michigan the right upper corner of our windshield gasket separated from the frame of the motorhome leaving an air gap big enough to slide fingers through.  Fortunately, that side of the windshield had been replaced less than a year ago, and Duncan Systems, the RV glass company contracted by Progressive Insurance to arrange the job, agreed that this repair should be under warranty.  We had thought it a simple process, but the first tech to look at it in Ames, Iowa said it was a half day affair, and they couldn’t fit us in until Monday at the earliest.  Wanting to get back on the road, we arranged to have the work done by Master Tech RV in Elkhart, our next destination, first thing Tuesday morning.

Elkhart being longer than our preferred drive, we made a one day stop at Condit’s Ranch in Putnam, IL. Though it was a bit further off the interstate than ideal, the property was very attractive, the management made us feel very much at home, and as a Passport America participant it was very affordable: $20 for full hook ups, though the positioning of the sewage connection meant I simply used it as a dump station on our way out. 

Duncan Systems made arrangements for an assessment at Master Tech first thing Tuesday morning, so we arrived Monday afternoon and stayed in the parking lot overnight, but not before we swung into Factory RV Surplus to check on possible discounted captains chairs to replace our wretched originals.  They had a couple of options for us, and we selected some beautiful modern chairs in a dark brown/charcoal color that really look nice in our rig.  The installation was pretty easy, just four bolts per chair.  We are really happy to actually start some of the significant improvements to our interior we have discussed for some time.

The next morning Mastertech took a look and confirmed it would be at least a half day job, and to do it right they would need to remove both halves of the windshield and replace the gasket.  Fortunately, the gasket was in the next town over.  Unfortunately it still took two days to arrive, so suddenly we were at a minimum four day stay. 

Yes, we sulked a bit, but at least Mastertech moved us inside and we had a 30 amp connection for the remainder of our stay, free guest wifi, and a visitors lounge with robust cable and on demand shows.  We spent a lot of time there.  Aside from a bit of geocaching, watching TV is about all we did in Elkhart, the ongoing delays putting us in a bit of a funk.

Making ourselves at home at Master Tech RV

So Friday they completed the installation of the gasket and window, only to have the left side crack almost immediately after it was sealed in place.  Which, of course, meant a new window needed to be ordered.  I spent a good amount of time on the phone with Duncan Systems expressing my displeasure at how long it had taken to drop off a simple gasket from 12 miles away, and trying to increase their sense of urgency such that we could receive the windshield for delivery first thing Monday morning.  Which we did not, resulting in increasingly hostile discussions with them until it was finally delivered Tuesday mid-morning. 

The view out of non-existant windshield while inside Master Tech’s large facility.  

Mastertech got the new glass in before lunch, and after a few hours to let the seal cure, we were finally on our way south to Brown County, Indiana to meet up with Dad and Marcia again. 

PKM is sometimes a bit quicker on the draw than we are, and manages to go for a bit of a run before we can get the lead secured to her harness.  We would like to break her of this, but at least she never runs far before letting us catch her.