Cost to install a Windshield in an Eagle?

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · October 14, 2020, 05:56:59 PM

I just received a quote of $300 to have a windshield installed in my Eagle in Quartzsite by the windsheild guy across from Rice Ranch.

This price for installation seems a bit high to me. I already have the windshield. Also, they will not cover the cost of a new one I supply, if it breaks during installation. So two questions.

1. I thought it used to cost about $150 to install a bus windshield just a few years ago. What have others been paying lately?

If they break the windshield during the installation, they do not cover that and I would have to scramble to find another windshield lest I would have to drive home without one and that can't be fun, especially in the rain. However, I suppose this is normal...right?

What has your recent experience been with this?

And no, I do not have windsheild insurance, so I will be paying out of my shallow pocket.

David Anderson · October 14, 2020, 06:24:38 PM

Well, my experience was I installed the driver's side in my Model 10 in May 2017 and promptly received a rock chip on I10 east of San Antonio in June 2017

I have a few more to complement that, also.

It took me a couple of hours and I had to have a friend help me. I put a new gasket on the window first, put the 1/4" rope in the rubber, started in the lower curved corner and with lots of soap, pulled the rope around, and a whole lot of grunting and pushing/pulling with continuously saying, "oh I hope I don't break it", I finally got it in. Then another 1/2 hour to get the locking ring in. It is no easy task for sure.

David Anderson

luvrbus · October 14, 2020, 06:46:12 PM

$150.00 labor is the standard for Coach Glass in Phoenix $300.00 should include the glass

chessie4905 · October 15, 2020, 06:51:23 AM

Gary, get a price on them supplying windshield, including installation. Then sell yours to an Eagle owner that is into installing it themselves. OR you could trade your coach in for a Nice Prevost conversion and let the replacement windshield go with your trade in... 😉
I can't really blame him for not covering the windshield if it breaks, since you supplied it. I wouldn't do it either.

rusty · October 15, 2020, 07:33:21 AM

If the cap was installed correctly changing a windshield is not all that hard. It can be a big job and possible grinding if the cap does not fit the windshield. With help I can change the windshield on my 15 in about an hour.
Wayne

Busted Knuckle · October 15, 2020, 08:09:36 AM

Gary, I never did one on an Eagle, but I used to do our MCI's all the time. Then along came the Setra's and I said "Nope, no way!"
I called the local glass company and he'd never heard of one, so he told me bring it by and I'll take a look. So I went by and he said "I wouldn't have a clue where to get one of those, but if I had one it'd be $100 labor which is covered by our insurance if we break it, they buy you a new one!"
I pulled $100 out of my pocket and opened up the luggage bay where the new windshield we'd been given as "spare parts" when we bought it was!
He laughed about me being prepared and not complaining about the $100 labor, and said it would be later in the afternoon before they could have it ready for me.
I laughed and told him I was glad to pay the $100 just to not have to do it! I called for a ride an left it with him. When I picked it up he told me "If I'd known how much of a fight that thing was gonna give us I'd charged you $150!, but since I told you $100 that's what it is."
I pulled out the other $50 and told him again I was glad to have it done.

Now when the Setra S417 came along and needed one, I just went straight to his shop w/o calling first.
He came out in the parking lot and admired the bus first telling me [l]"Man that's some kinda rig right there!"[/i]
He said do you have the windshield for it already? I told him no, but Setra would have it here at his place in 2 days if I called them now.
He said "You order the windshield an we'll see you in 2 days, but by the way since that windshield is so much bigger it's going to be $200 labor! By the way just how much does a windshield like that cost?"
I told him $1400 with free shipping! He said "Wow, I see why you don't mind paying $200 to have it installed by us, with our insurance covering it.
I told him that's EXACTLY why I didn't mind paying his rates!

BK

luvrbus · October 15, 2020, 09:04:58 AM

Even with the 15 windsheilds being larger in Gary's Eagle they seem to be easier to install than the 05 0r model 10 because of rubber seal is so much larger

belfert · October 15, 2020, 09:09:18 AM

Man, I wish I could get a windshield installed in my bus for even $300. I believe I am up to four of them paid for by my insurance company at $2,500 each installed! The shop I was using won't even do them anymore even at $2,500 for the job. I need another one and haven't taken the time to find a new place to do it yet.

I am up to five broken windshields on my bus now. The silly thing is I don't think I have broken a single windshield on my daily drivers since I got the bus.

luvrbus · October 15, 2020, 09:38:50 AM

I guess you need to shop for prices the windshield on my Country Coach is huge,it listed for 5k and Coach Glass quoted me $2400.00 after I pay my $100.00 deduct

DoubleEagle · October 15, 2020, 06:04:01 PM

It pays to shop around for windshields, the prices can vary tremendously. Certain national outfits will soak you plenty, and charge a lot for crating and shipping. The same applies for local installation rates. It really seems that their eyes light up at the sight of a RV sized windshield when they think of the profit potential. With the right tools, it can be done by the owner as long as you don't get impatient and try to force it.

luvrbus · October 15, 2020, 06:17:54 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on October 15, 2020, 06:04:01 PM
It pays to shop around for windshields, the prices can vary tremendously. Certain national outfits will soak you plenty, and charge a lot for crating and shipping. The same applies for local installation rates. It really seems that their eyes light up at the sight of a RV sized windshield when they think of the profit potential. With the right tools, it can be done by the owner as long as you don't get impatient and try to force it.

I love a challenge but my windshield would be one I don't care to pursue ,Eagles are easy if the cap is square,old Norris showed me a long time ago how to square a cap on a Eagle after I broke 2 windsheilds

6805eagleguy · October 16, 2020, 05:47:34 AM

Clifford, that is something I need to know how to do because my windshields just do not fit. This cap/breastplate is incredibly out of whack. I broke drivers side, and just can't get one corner on passengers side...

rusty · October 16, 2020, 09:11:59 AM

Mason the way I mounted my cap is to use 6 or 8 short pieces of windshield gasket about 6 inches long and mount the windshield in the cap and tape it in but you can still see how the windshield fits as you glue it in place. Mount the cap to fit the windshield.
My 05 cap was not installed correctly and it is a bear to replace the windshield.
Wayne

DoubleEagle · October 16, 2020, 10:14:29 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 15, 2020, 06:17:54 PM

I love a challenge but my windshield would be one I don't care to pursue ,Eagles are easy if the cap is square,old Norris showed me a long time ago how to square a cap on a Eagle after I broke 2 windsheilds

That raises two questions: Is Norris still alive and well, and how do you square a cap? Are out of square situations mostly occurring in modified Eagles, or did they happen at the factory as well?

luvrbus · October 16, 2020, 10:40:44 AM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on October 16, 2020, 10:14:29 AM
That raises two questions: Is Norris still alive and well, and how do you square a cap? Are out of square situations mostly occurring in modified Eagles, or did they happen at the factory as well?

Factory caps too Norris said Trailways always squared the cap before installing windsheilds on the Eagle .I will get you a photo when I get home of the wood jig he had be make.The factory caps were a closer fit than the after market caps by R&M fwiw