Carthago E-line windscreen cracked.

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Madventurer

Joined
Nov 11, 2021
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Hilton Road, Fenstanton, Huntingdon, UK
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85,387
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Carthago E line 50
Exp
Since 2009.
I am in Spain near Almeria. The windscreen cracked soon after a stone was thrown up by a overtaking car. This happened three days ago, on the A23 motorway. I stopped at the next service area and contacted my insurance company. They put me in contact with autoglass, who said the have agents in Spain.
The crack at that time was about 100mm and bellow the wipper blade. They said they would not repair this, a replacement was needed. They then phoned me and said their agent in Spain could not do this. It is safe to drive, carry on with your holiday. I have tried epoxy resin and supper glue, but the crack is now 400mm. I have been told by Southdown leisure, that even Carthago do not have this screen. What happens if my vehicle becomes illegal to drive and I go over my 90 days. ???
 
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It would be a potential problem if the crack is in the field of vision which I believe is determined by the sweep of the wiper blades. It would certainly fail and MOT, but I think also illegal to drive in Spain according to the link below.

murciatoday.com

These are the fines in Spain for driving with an icy or snowy windshield

These Are The Fines In Spain For Driving With An Icy Or Snowy Windshield Keep up with the Latest News In English Murcia Costa Calida Spain
murciatoday.com murciatoday.com

Screenshot 2024-01-09 at 17.54.27.png



The link mentions snow and ice, but the webpage also mentions cracked windscreens. Also I would image the screen form part of the structural integrity of the front of the vehicle as its such a large screen.

Link from a previous post on this forum regarding a cracked screen in Spain.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Cracked windscreen in spain

We are currently parked up at a campsite in sitges after discovering a crack has occurred in the windscreen, its in the middle top and over 12 inches long. I have sent an email to our insurers (nfu Stokesley) to await there advise. Also our parking brake has a warning light and the cab aircon...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
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Is it a fairly recent model? I’d find it difficult to believe Carthago don’t have a screen if it’s a current model.
 
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The lesson learnt from this, is that anyone with an A class motorhome should carry a windscreen repair kit. As little help is provided by your insurance company. Especially if the windscreen is not available.
 
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It might help if you can borrow/ buy a small high speed drill like a dremel. Which they might have in an aldi or lidl. Then use a small diamond bit to slightly drill each end of the crack. That's not a solution but it might stop the crack getting bigger. If you don't feel confident doing it yourself. Ask a local windscreen place to do it for you.

You can then fill the holes with epoxy.
Just a thought.
 
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G7UXG said:
Is it a fairly recent model? I’d find it difficult to believe Carthago don’t have a screen if it’s a current model.
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Made to order on the production run probably. I doubt any will be available via a conventional windscreen replacement company as they are so expensive and all units will be sent to Carthago. This is probably special order outside their normal order run hence the long wait.
 
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Madventurer said:
The lesson learnt from this, is that anyone with an A class motorhome should carry a windscreen repair kit. As little help is provided by your insurance company. Especially if the windscreen is not available.
Click to expand...
These large screens are an integral part of the structure and stressed accordingly, I doubt any repair kit would stop such a crack.
 
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daveclare said:
It might help if you can borrow/ buy a small high speed drill like a dremel. Which they might have in an aldi or lidl. Then use a small diamond bit to slightly drill each end of the crack. That's not a solution but it might stop the crack getting bigger. If you don't feel confident doing it yourself. Ask a local windscreen place to do it for you.

You can then fill the holes width epoxy.
Just a thought.
Click to expand...
A repair with epoxy will still be visible and obscure vision which I believe could result in a fine in Spain.

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I am static for two weeks, then off to Tarifa for a month. I have a insulating windscreen cover on as the sun seems to cause expansion making it worse. I have no choice but to carry on with my planned itinerary. Sites booked ahead. Damage is currently passenger side and does not affect my visibility.
 
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FrankNicklin said:
A repair with epoxy will still be visible and obscure vision which I believe could result in a fine in Spain.
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Not sure two small drill holes filled with epoxy would do that. But I stand corrected if I'm wrong.
 
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I have had stones hit my windscreen before, without causing cracking. This time the stone hit the bottom of the screen about 15mm from the edge. The edges seem to be a weak area as it then cracked from the edge vertical 100mm. If I had a windscreen repair kit with me, I may have stopped it their. Especially as it was bellow the wipper blade.
 
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If I were you, I'd be rerouting my run home via Germany.

I'm sure you will find a Carthago dealer somewhere in south west Germany, somewhere near Aulendorf, which is just above Lake Constance, which is where all the Carthago's are made, a local dealer (or even head office) will be able to get hold of a screen a lot faster and a lot cheaper than any UK garage (also no import tax!)

Whilst you are having your new screen fitted you could nip over to the next town, Bad Waldsee, where the Hymer factory and museum is located and see what a proper motorhome looks like ;)

Unless you have paid for the tunnel already, I'd also come back via Hoek of Holland to Harwich. Save you a load on tolls and fuel.
 
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When we had cracked screen on our old Exsis I A class in Spain Cara glass didn’t want to know and told me to wait until we returned to UK which we did without problem.
Apparently they won’t touch A class screens as there are to many different types whether that is correct I don’t know so did not worry about it😊
 
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Hi Madventurer

When racing in Hill Rally/Tout terrain events we covered windscreen in Clearplex screen film or same from 3m as events so expensive and long away from Devon.
When our Tabbert A class got cracked screen in southern Spain my old racer technician sent me out this Active window film repair kit to cover the crack which was growing every day as we needed to get to Belgium for replacement..

Maybe this can help whilst you enjoy your trip and get help with new replacement..

123-clear-emergency-glass-safety-repair-protection-window-film-sticky-back-film.html
 
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We had a cracked screen on uk passenger side at top about 200mm long which took 6 months to replace but as it was out of line of sight we just went ahead and travelled all round Spain and Portugal plus lots of other places. If its in the drivers line of sight it's an MOT failure but not sure illegal unless it stops you seeing through and obscuring view.
 
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Yes thanks Funsters for advice. This is not affecting my vision of the road. How are the old split screen vehicles legal, with a joint in the centre. That would obscure vision more than a crack. The motorhome is on site parked up for most of the time. I have motorcycle + mountain bike for exploring.

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Madventurer said:
Yes thanks Funsters for advice. This is not affecting my vision of the road. How are the old split screen vehicles legal, with a joint in the centre. That would obscure vision more than a crack. The motorhome is on site parked up for most of the time. I have motorcycle + mountain bike for exploring.
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They were legal when built.
 
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