NEW Escape 23 Replaced due to scratches now dents in middle outside of windows

[SuezqsZoo]

Hi,

I am going to attach a link to my google photos. We received our Escape 23 last year around July it was shipped to us. We discovered many issues and so it was sent to Retro Reno's for repairs. They had it all winter. We just received it bak a couple weeks ago. All was fixed and new windows installed. We noticed when it was shipped back to us there are huge dents in all of the windows. The dents are right in the middle of the windows. Escape Industries said it will probably be a warranty repair as there are other owners with windows seeing with this issue. Has anyone else had the same issues? I am attaching a link to my google photos of the issue.
Click: Photos of Dented windows

It will be a warranty repair and Escape is aware but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this same issue? At least this year we can camp in it. We had to cancel all of our trips last year. Sigh.
Any ideas are appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Ron in BC]

Sorry that you've gotten off to a poor start with your Escape.

Every once in awhile someone posts something unique and your window issue is one of them. I don't remember anyone having this issue previously.

I've vacuum formed plastics to make bowl shaped objects. But that involves heating the plastic and then applying a vacuum. I can't think of a logical explanation for your situation especially since it involves more than one window. Since other owners have experienced this issue I'm pretty sure there's going to be an explanation sooner than later. I've seen many similar much older windows in caravans in Europe and Russia and they obviously didn't have that kind of problem. Hope the replacements don't develop a similar issue.

Seems like you've been quite patient through this process. Hope you're on the road making memories soon.

Ron

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Are the dented windows glass or acrylic plastic?

 

[Centex]

Are the dented windows glass or acrylic plastic?

Just FYI, the E23 comes standard with dual-pane acrylic windows and there's no other type indicated on the 'build your own' options list.

Might be interesting to know if the 'dent' is on the inside pane too, or only the outside pane?

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Plastic expands and contracts 13 TIMES more than steel or most metals with temperature changes. Unless provisions are made to accommodate this movement, I can see this happening. It's not Escapes fault, directly, but the window supplier.

 

[Escapeesinmo]

So sorry you have had to endure this. I'd be sick to my stomach if my trailer showed up from being fixed looking like this. Hope you get it all sorted out soon.

 

[Centex]

Plastic expands and contracts 13 TIMES more than steel or most metals with temperature changes.

So that tidbit prompted a Google question specific to acrylic vs glass thermal expansion (8 times difference, still potentially significant)

Just curious .... is the space between the acrylic thermal panes hermetically sealed like the glass thermal windows, or is it 'vented' in some way?

 

[Selkirk]

Just curious .... is the space between the acrylic thermal panes hermetically sealed like the glass thermal windows, or is it 'vented' in some way?

I can't speak for RV windows, but residential glass sealed units are often fitted with a small capillary tube which allows any air pressure differences in the airspace to equalize. They are typically installed in circumstances where there is a significant elevation change between where a sealed is manufactured vs where it it installed.

Escape Industries said it will probably be a warranty repair as there are other owners with windows seeing with this issue.

I'd be very disappointed to see this as well. I'm very curious as to the specific nature of the defect.

Double pane acrylic has been used in residential skylights for decades, so I would think that any thermal expansion/airspace venting issues would be well understood and addressed in windows designed for RV use.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

"So that tidbit prompted a Google question specific to acrylic vs glass thermal expansion (8 times difference, still potentially significant)"

I should or could have said UP TO 13 TIMES. Different types of plastics, different thermal expansion / contraction factors. My bad. Mea culpa.

Either number, plastic moves a lot with temperature.

 

[Mike G]

Wow. Obviously a problem with how the windows are being made. I can't imagine any scenario where it would be damage caused by installation.

 

[iamunique127]

My first thought was how could Retro Renos return the trailer in that condition.

 

[SuezqsZoo]

The reason we had it at Retro Renos was many..... water leaks, floor got wet under vinyl, scratched floor and windows, glue bottle spots on our 4 solar panels, glue on roof, hole in roof, gel coat pitting everywhere! We got all new gel coat, new flooring, new windows, hole repaired, new solar panels all 4. They should have got us a NEW build after all of that. It was at Retro Reno's for many months. We got it in August, had to cancel all our trips and send in for repairs. We get back and the windows have creases. We also have some kind of plug issue ... the plug is loose even when tightened all the way down barely touch it and it jiggles....we lose power. Hubbie wants to replace it with another type of plug but afraid it will void warranty. And we may have more issues with power and solar since we got it back the solar would just stop charging randomly even though batteries were not charged and full sun. In August, we had used it a few days before sending back per ETIs request and had no solar or plug issues. WE are not newbies and had a 2018 21c with solar as well with NO issues. Hence why we bought the 23. Sigh. Hoping all gets worked out after windows are eventually fixed. Not ETA yet on those.

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Well Retro is in Florida, the Sunshine state, and that heat & sun conceivably could have bowed the acrylic windows.
Just speculating here.

 

[SuezqsZoo]

Are the dented windows glass or acrylic plastic?

Acrylic plastic, First set were good that came new... but were all scratched. So all 5 were replaced by Retro Renos ... shipped back home and are dented.

 

[SuezqsZoo]

So sorry you have had to endure this. I'd be sick to my stomach if my trailer showed up from being fixed looking like this. Hope you get it all sorted out soon.

They had it over 6 months too! Soo many issues!

 

[Donna D.]

Use the trailer while Retro Renos is waiting for the NEXT set of replacement windows. I wouldn't let them have it until they have the windows and are ready to replace.

 

[dstreight]

Curious: What brand are the problem child windows? Hopefully, not Tern Overland.

 

[Rossue2]

They are not Tern Overland; I spoke with T.O. last year when considering using one to replace my side window that had fogged. up. They are likely Dometic.

 

[SuezqsZoo]

Just FYI, the E23 comes standard with dual-pane acrylic windows and there's no other type indicated on the 'build your own' options list.

Might be interesting to know if the 'dent' is on the inside pane too, or only the outside pane?

HI, The Dent is only on the outside.

 

[Byrdmen]

If they don't leak, I would run with it.

I didn't realize until I read this post that Retro Renos had that much experience with the windows, may call them Monday.