Smashed window

[Bill.D]

On the way to Moreton in Marsh last Friday our van window was hit by a bird, just saw it out the corner of my eye fly over the car then heard an almighty thump. I guess it was something heavy like a pheasant as it did not just break the window (centre one) it wrecked it, smashing outer and inner skin and damaging the frame inside. My question is, are these windows that fragile normally, I was surprised at the damage, it was not at motorway speeds, probably about 40 mph. This is the second van we have had this problem on, our previous Sprite suffered a large crack from a stone on the motorway but that was a large single window, rather hoped the 3 smaller windows on our Swift might have been considerably stronger.
I have noticed one or two vans with a cover over the front, anyone have any experience of these and whether they might have prevented this problem?
Bill.D

 

[Damian]

The windows are not particularly fragile as such, but get a pheasant size bird travelling at , say 20mph one way, and you travelling at 40 the opposite way and you have a closing speed of 60mph, and something has to give.
Added to that, the windows are under pressure from the movement into wind, hence the problems with some Polyplastic units where both panes touch when towing, and you have the answer.

As for a cover, it may have reduced some of the damage, perhaps, but I would think the window would still have been broken.

 

[RogerL]

Having seen the damage that pheasants can do to steel car bodywork, I'm not surprised at the amount of damage caused in this case.
The irony is that 80% of pheasants belong to the local shooting estate, have been bred and released specifically for that purpose - but it's no good trying to claim off the local gentry as you'd have to show that the pheasant you hit was one of theirs and not a feral one.

 

[RayS]

Damian has got it right - it's the relative velocity that does the damage. Actually it's worse than it looks as the momentum will increase as the square of the speed, not in a linear manner (just like drag), so even a small bird or stone hit head on is capable of considerable damage. I once had a car (Mk1 Cavalier) disabled by pheasant strike where the relative velocity was about 90 mph - pushed the front right back in and wrecked the radiator. Huge cloud of steam and feathers.

 

[Sparks1]

We had what I can only presume to be a pidgeon hit the A post of our Vivaro in France this year. It was so fast (the incident not the bird) that I honestly didn't see it coming, the bang was quite loud though. When we were able to stop (being on the motorway) and had a good look, we realised just how lucky we were. An inch to the left and I have no doubt it would have pierced the windscreen. Fortunately the remains of the carcass must have gone over the top of the caravan.
As for front covers for caravans, I've been considering one for our caravan as the diesel soot following a 1,000 mile trip from the Med is beyond a joke. Problem is, I've not seen one with a clear window allowing the front marker lights to show through. I very much doubt they are legal (day or night) if they blank off these lights.

 

[TonyG]

We had what I can only presume to be a pidgeon hit the A post of our Vivaro in France this year. It was so fast (the incident not the bird) that I honestly didn't see it coming, the bang was quite loud though. When we were able to stop (being on the motorway) and had a good look, we realised just how lucky we were. An inch to the left and I have no doubt it would have pierced the windscreen. Fortunately the remains of the carcass must have gone over the top of the caravan.
As for front covers for caravans, I've been considering one for our caravan as the diesel soot following a 1,000 mile trip from the Med is beyond a joke. Problem is, I've not seen one with a clear window allowing the front marker lights to show through. I very much doubt they are legal (day or night) if they blank off these lights.

Protec covers come with cut outs for the marker lights http://www.caravancovers.org.uk/product_view.php?product=537
Quote:Comes with cut-outs for the grab handles, a storage bag and a product to ensure touring lights are visible at all times, and thus totally road legal.

 

[Sparks1]

Nice covers, if only they did one to suit my caravan.
Their 'General' cover makes no mention of allowing for front marker lights. I will send them an email though as there is the liklihood that another model may well fit.

 

[PhilFraeHowMill]

Bill
Sorry to hear of the damage to your van, however, once you`ve plucked the little b......, there are some wonderful recipes on here.
http://www.basctasteofgame.org.uk/
Phil

 

[Sparks1]

The reply from Pro-Tec was extremely quick. However they didn't answer my question and simply gave me a pre-composed text about their full covers (£360-£420 8-9 weeks delivery).
There are other manufacturers out there.

Bill, how are you getting on with replacing the window? Is it an insurance job?

 

[TonyG]

Duplicate Post

 

[TonyG]

The reply from Pro-Tec was extremely quick. However they didn't answer my question and simply gave me a pre-composed text about their full covers (£360-£420 8-9 weeks delivery).
There are other manufacturers out there.

Bill, how are you getting on with replacing the window? Is it an insurance job?

Sparks
Try this, they are also a very good company http://www.specialisedcovers.com/caravan-covers.html

 

[Bill.D]

Hi Sparks. Waiting for quote to pass on to insurers. Last time it happened the CC insurance paid with no problem so don't anticipate any prob this time. However it still costs, with £50 excess I have and loss of a years NC bonus.
Have to see what the balance is when I get the quote.
Bill.