Are our windshields prone to damage?

[jimk hunt]

No, it's just the nature of trucks with huge windshields. Before the Ram, I drove Nissan Titans for 15 years. My first one I went through 4 windshields and the second I went through 2. So I always keep comprehensive deductible at zero on my trucks so I can get "free" windshields

Many insurance companies offer free windshields no matter the deductible. I have it with Safeco. Will need to use it as I have a crack but not in line of sight so not in a hurry.

 

[Gs72174]

For those that have had windshields replaced, have you gotten OEM Ram or an aftermarket equivalent?

 

[ldoh]

I was just thinking back today. I've been driving for 26 years. Owned well over 30 different cars and trucks, lived in Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Florida and I've never gotten a rock chip until this one. I've had rocks bounce off windshields plenty of times but they have never damaged one. Maybe I've just been super lucky.

There's no getting around it. Where ever there's off/on-road vehicles, heavy construction, development, big trucks on the roads, trucks hauling dirt/rock, trash trucks and landscapers going to/from solid waste disposal yards, and freeway speeds there's going to be windshield damage assuming you drive the freeways. A quick google search shows a number of Texas companies catering to the repair of rock chip damaged windshields.

 

[Lize]

Had something hit my windshield and it made large chip under the wipers in the black bit that can't be repaired, luckily it didn't damage any paint or plastic. I've put it through the insurance but my glass cover is limited to £800 so I've had to pay another £220. This was in March and windscreen company still haven't managed to source a screen but its no surprise given current circumstances.

I happened to be talking to the people that supplied my Ram today and he said he could source a screen for me which is quite tempting but also mentioned recalibration would likely be needed. I'm in the UK and I'm sure a man in a van on my drive won't be able to do it so I'd rather wait while I know somewhere I can go to get it done, I may be a bit paranoid but if it puts the check engine light on then this could mask any other potential problems. Hopefully the US specialists who are handily local will be able to do it, they have done a flash for the airbag recall but not sure when they are open.

Mine has blind spot detection and rain sensing wipers but not adaptive cruise control so can anyone confirm that after its fitted I'll get a warning light on the dash and will need to get it recalibrated please?

I had a search and also found this info, so something for me to check when a shield eventually arrives:

Dang that sucks. Your auto insurance should have windshield repair built into it, I would go that route. Find a windshield repair place with good yelp reviews if you don’t know of any. They can usually get OEM and a good shop will work with the dealer to calibrate everything if they can’t do it themselves. Just had to go through this process recently on a different vehicle. Test the wipers before you leave to make sure they didn’t leave any tools near the wiper arms where they connect...ugh had to go back into the shop to get them to take the bottom cover off to discover they left a tool sitting there that almost broke the wipers. Removed tool and all was well luckily. Good luck with the windshield. Hope the Chinese virus doesn’t slow things down too much with the repair.

Thanks

 

[EugeneYYZ]

Got new truck on friday , and on sunday got the rock chip , tiny but ugly , lol

 

[SD Rebel]

I've noticed modern windshields are more susceptible to long cracks starting from a smaller crack. I have an old Ford Ranger with several bulleye cracks on the windshield, none have spread after many years.

However, my 2015 F150 was a different story. Small cracks would become a foot long after a few hours. Been lucky with the RAM so far, but I don't drive that much. When on the highway, I always stay away from the two slowest lanes, this is where big trucks hauling rocks run and has historically for me been the source of the majority of my windshield rock hits. Staying in the 2 fastest lanes results in worse mpg, but a less damaged windshield.

 

[b1pig]

If you think your luck is bad, you should try a Jeep Wrangler. I've seen LOTS of people complain about rocks hitting windshields on the Jeeps.

I owned mine for 7 years and only 50,000 miles..... then I drove it to Colorado. On my way OUT of New Mexico, a friendly driver of a 2500 Silverado passed me (while I was already doing 75mph).... got about 75 yards in front of me and I saw a rock kick up from his right rear tire.... bounce once... then -POP!- ... right at the bottom edge of the windshield. Chipped the paint off as well as cracked the glass. By the time I got home, the crack was all the way across the driver's side at almost eye level. First time it happened to me driving it out west. From Jeep forums, it seems to be a common problem out west, which I guess is one reason why Utah is so hard up on mud flaps.

I haven't taken the time to get it replaced.

On the 2019 we had, I never had a rock hit the windshield, but man there was a huge chip on the upper edge of the hood. I'd bet that sucker was on it's way, I just got lucky.

 

[Jako]

I've noticed modern windshields are more susceptible to long cracks starting from a smaller crack. I have an old Ford Ranger with several bulleye cracks on the windshield, none have spread after many years.

However, my 2015 F150 was a different story. Small cracks would become a foot long after a few hours. Been lucky with the RAM so far, but I don't drive that much. When on the highway, I always stay away from the two slowest lanes, this is where big trucks hauling rocks run and has historically for me been the source of the majority of my windshield rock hits. Staying in the 2 fastest lanes results in worse mpg, but a less damaged windshield.

I'm 1 and 1. 1 left, fast lane and 1 right, slow lane

If you think your luck is bad, you should try a Jeep Wrangler. I've seen LOTS of people complain about rocks hitting windshields on the Jeeps.

I owned mine for 7 years and only 50,000 miles..... then I drove it to Colorado. On my way OUT of New Mexico, a friendly driver of a 2500 Silverado passed me (while I was already doing 75mph).... got about 75 yards in front of me and I saw a rock kick up from his right rear tire.... bounce once... then -POP!- ... right at the bottom edge of the windshield. Chipped the paint off as well as cracked the glass. By the time I got home, the crack was all the way across the driver's side at almost eye level. First time it happened to me driving it out west. From Jeep forums, it seems to be a common problem out west, which I guess is one reason why Utah is so hard up on mud flaps.

I haven't taken the time to get it replaced.

On the 2019 we had, I never had a rock hit the windshield, but man there was a huge chip on the upper edge of the hood. I'd bet that sucker was on it's way, I just got lucky.

Took a hit on my Ram's windshield (ding) in Georgia and I believe it was a Silverado, at about 75 mph. I think it's envy.

 

[ldoh]

After a quick online review for possible causes, here's some theories in no particular order:

1) today's glass is thinner to reduce cost, weight and increase fuel economy
2) improved vehicle aerodynamics with less frontal turbulence allows debris to strike with more directed force
3) more vehicles on roads and higher roadway speeds for more debris availability and impact force
4) less OEM use of mudflaps possibly related to better aerodynamics and fuel economy
...

Youtube has a video on new windshield technologies and products. One company offers multi layered 3mil thin full windshield protection tear-offs. And gorilla glass makes a 3x more tough windshield glass for a few Ford vehicles. Neither options is likely anywhere near as cheap as an insurance company replacement.

 

[Willwork4truck]

After a quick online review for possible causes, here's some theories in no particular order:

1) today's glass is thinner to reduce cost, weight and increase fuel economy
2) improved vehicle aerodynamics with less frontal turbulence allows debris to strike with more directed force
3) more vehicles on roads and higher roadway speeds for more debris availability and impact force
4) less OEM use of mudflaps possibly related to better aerodynamics and fuel economy
...

Youtube has a video on new windshield technologies and products. One company offers multi layered 3mil thin full windshield protection tear-offs. And gorilla glass makes a 3x more tough windshield glass for a few Ford vehicles. Neither options is likely anywhere near as cheap as an insurance company replacement.

Got the answer:

 

[highgear2005]

All brands have stone chip issues. Probably the only way to solve this issue. Would be to have the truck delivered on a flat bed, and park it in your garage. My 97 Jeep need a windshield every spring. I was on a first name bases with the repair shop. If you think a tiny rock is bad. Wait till you take a duck of the windshield! Yes a duck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Willwork4truck]

All brands have stone chip issues. Probably the only way to solve this issue. Would be to have the truck delivered on a flat bed, and park it in your garage. My 97 Jeep need a windshield every spring. I was on a first name bases with the repair shop. If you think a tiny rock is bad. Wait till you take a duck of the windshield! Yes a duck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hit a vulture once, it just had to get that last bite of roadkill. Hope it enjoyed it cause it cost the bird its life. Cost me a $100 deductible... just clipped the top of the windshield in the center but cracked it good.

 

[dalailama23]

I believe that this new thinner acoustic glass is more prone to damage , just a feeling cant prove hit. Im on my second windshield and already have multiple tiny rock chips in this one. i had an old style ford truck with 500,000 miles on it before my new Ram. Everything from birds to stones and two hurricanes battered that windshield it was so sandblasted from road crap you could barely see out of it especially with the sun in it but it never chipped or cracked. i watched my new windshield go in it flexed so much as it got lifted i thought it was going to break in half, they are thin. It also had to be recalibrated which Insurance covered . No warning came on i was just told it had to be done to calibrate the forward camera for active cruise control

 

[Willwork4truck]

I believe that this new thinner acoustic glass is more prone to damage , just a feeling cant prove hit. Im on my second windshield and already have multiple tiny rock chips in this one. i had an old style ford truck with 500,000 miles on it before my new Ram. Everything from birds to stones and two hurricanes battered that windshield it was so sandblasted from road crap you could barely see out of it especially with the sun in it but it never chipped or cracked. i watched my new windshield go in it flexed so much as it got lifted i thought it was going to break in half, they are thin. It also had to be recalibrated which Insurance covered . No warning came on i was just told it had to be done to calibrate the forward camera for active cruise control

Yep, thinner materials = weight savings = another tenth of a mpg...
Our family 68’ F250 you would stand on the hood to wash the roof (had a canopy so needed to). My 1st truck, a 72 F100 could do the same but be a bit careful, same with the 77’ GMC 3500 and the 78’ F250 hi-boy. Fast foward to the 86‘ GMC and I could still stand on the roof. Never tried it on the 96‘ GMC 2500 but don’t think anything in the 90’s would hold up to that.
Just looked at my aluminum 15’ F150 and it would dimple.

Windshields are likely about the same over the years.

 

[silver64]

Windshield just cracked

Driving down the road the other day and POP! The windshield was not hit by anything either then or prior to that. It was sunny and maybe 80 degrees out and I had the AC on. The crack was L shaped about 8 inches long total and to the right of the rear view mirror on the passenger side. Went home...

5thgenrams.com

 

[aimlowrobin]

3 weeks into my 2020 I got a spider crack from a ridiculously small rock going fairly slow. I couldn't believe it, and neither could my buddy with me. I've had enough trucks and 6 Rams to compare...either super bad luck or subpar glass.

 

[SD Rebel]

3 weeks into my 2020 I got a spider crack from a ridiculously small rock going fairly slow. I couldn't believe it, and neither could my buddy with me. I've had enough trucks and 6 Rams to compare...either super bad luck or subpar glass.

I honestly think its the fancy angle of these new windshields. They are stressed already and will spread once they get a hit. My 2015 F150 was the same way, I never seen glass cracks grow like I did with that truck. I have a old 27 year old Ford Ranger and a 22 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee in the family, both with original glass and both with un-repaired bullseye cracks, in fact I think each one has 3-4 cracks each. And none of them have grown for years, and some for literally a decade or more!

Yet I get a tiny one on my newer F150, and it grows to a foot long in a matter of hours. Now it sounds like the RAM is in the same situation.

 

[Willwork4truck]

Ditto with my F150 (2015), the first long road trip I got a small rock and it was all the way across in an hour. I replaced with Safellite non-oem and it didn't go out the next year that I had it, so unsure if the cheaper non-oem was built differently or if it was just luck.

 

[D.Sull]

I was taking my Ram into the dealership for the third time this month (warrantied repair items) and a tiny rock hit the top of the windshield on the driver side and it cracked in two directions.... It was barely audible when it hit. I wasn't even sure what I heard was a rock or the sound of the glass cracking. When I finally got to the dealership, I checked to make sure there was even and impact crater and, sure enough, there was a tiny white spot, smaller than a ballpoint pen head... I swear these trucks are fragile.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Got nailed good on the lower drivers side early spring last year, glass shop drilled and filled it, held through MD and FL summer heat just fine.
Last week heard this pop, a good size crack on the drivers lower side about 4 inches above the previous hit that just kept getting longer by the hour. Had to look for the point of impact with a magnifying glass.

Not sure what this is made of but nowhere as durable as the one in my 1997 expedition or my 2000 Grand Cherokee.