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campcollector · 12-09-2003, 06:45 PM

Hope this attachment comes through. Had a bad day at the beach. Trees and these kind of streams dont' mix.

Moonshot · 12-09-2003, 07:04 PM

Sorry to see that this happened campcollector.

Jody of JodynJeep had some damage on his new Airstream repaired at the Jackson Center, Ohio plant and I believe he was quite satisfied.

Here's a link to that thread to read about it:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...jackson+center

Come on over to the chatroom and I'll buy you a drink!

Scott

garry · 12-09-2003, 07:07 PM

Ouch ........ that hurts in more ways than one.

It can be repaired but know you are dissapointed.

You have a dealer close by ?? A good one I hope.

Best of luck going forward

Garry

Tinsel Loaf · 12-09-2003, 07:11 PM

Give it a aspirin, maybe two and take it to Jackson Center for repair. Could have been worse.

campcollector · 12-09-2003, 07:31 PM

Another look

WayWard Wind · 12-09-2003, 07:40 PM

That's a stressful looking scene. Hope no one was home at the time. It looks to be a dead Birch tree like the ones we have around here. Never can tell when or what nature has to offer. Now is when a good dealer is needed.
Best of luck on the repairs.
Best

campcollector · 12-09-2003, 08:05 PM

Yes we were inside when it hit at 920 am. I thought it was an earth quake at first until the ceiling started to come in.

The tree is a Large red alder, there was no wind at the time, it just fell over.

Now I know what it is like for an ant inside of a beer can.

My poor trialer had alot of wheight on the axle. The tires ballooned out quite a bit. I hope the axle is ok? It towed like normal for the return 140 mile trip.

It took 3 hours and a Tractor loader to cut the tree off because it had so much downward pressure still on the trailer.

I hope it can be restored to original.

CO_Don · 12-09-2003, 08:13 PM

Sorry, unusual experience. It's like the old saying "everything comes apart, some things just go back together more gracefully than others." A qualified AS dealer or another recommended service facility will get you back on the road. As with a car, you will always know it happened, but think about the protection it provided and overlook a little skin color match difference. Good luck.

InsideOut · 12-09-2003, 08:32 PM

...and at least you weren't in a tent!

Shari

wahoonc · 12-09-2003, 08:57 PM

Count your blessings that you had and Airstream! it can be fixed and you weren't injured. Had it been an SOB I believe the outcome would have been a lot worse!

I think a trip to Jackson Center is in order!

Aaron

Silvertwinkie · 12-09-2003, 09:27 PM

I am glad you all are ok and sorry to hear about the loss.

I have to say though....you have LOTS of structural damage. Several ribs are severely bent and will need replacement. I would say that even if it could be fixed, the cost might be pretty steep and depending on who your insurance company might be they may just total it and give you whatever the unit was worth (which is about $24k approx-- I too have an '03 Bambi currently) since to me it appears that the coach might need to be gutted and rebuilt.

I'm not a qualified service tech, but I would think with the kind of damage in the pictures, that a whole bunch of interior and exterior are gonna have to be pulled apart.

The damage that I could see that Jody had was mostly sheet metal and not rib damage..whereas this one seems a bit more complex.

I see you are in OR....if you are close to George Sutton RV...he is suppose to have a great service center....www.gmsrv.com

Eric

Silver Bullet · 12-09-2003, 09:37 PM

Big time bummer, GLAD you were all safe.

My worst nightmare in our classic AS. Alder wood..... a soft- hardwood, "dead" nothing I'd park close to.

Hope all repairs go well with you.
Oscar

53flyingcloud · 12-09-2003, 11:18 PM

campcollector
Ouch~!~ One of your worst nightmares come true, we're sorry to hear of the loss..I'm so happy to hear that you came thru it personally with no injuries~

I don't know what your insurance covers but, speaking for myself, being that the unit is so new, I take the total, get a new trailer.
I understand that this decision is a radical departure from the 'popular thinking' but, seriously: Think about the damages (both seen and, unseen) done to the frame, support struts, skin (both outside as well as the inner), possible axle, tires, etc.
Sorry gang but, this is one time when I'd say, "Take the money~after all, that's what you pay the premium for~!"
Good luck to you and, your family.
Happy Holiday Wishes`!!

ciao

**jcanavera** · 12-10-2003, 07:53 AM

This is one of those cases where you hope you have the replacement coverage option on your insurance. It sure would make this a nobrainer.

Jack

Astrodokk · 12-10-2003, 09:20 AM

I'm somewhat out of the loop being a motorhome owner, but I would go with the replacement option. God knows these insurance companies can afford it. However, if you don't have the replacement coverage, like me, here's some food for thought. You've done a good job of documenting this unfortunate event. Maybe you can present this to Airstream as a PR opportunity...they wouldn't total a real one for a commercial ad, but reality? They may consider something like this and cover the repairs later. This would make a great ad for showing how safe these babies are, especially when people are still inside!

Whatever you decide, thank your Guardian Angels, and just remember, this too shall pass.

Chas · 12-10-2003, 09:51 AM

Glad to hear you are OK!!,

I would say lucky and unlucky you, unlucky Airstream for sure.

I would also say it is beyond repair but probably has some decent salvage value, maybe a few grand?? I am sure Inland Andy could tell us more as he has probably seen a few like this in all his years.

Chas

59toaster · 12-10-2003, 11:05 AM

If the tree was dead and the campground left it standing it is a safety hazard. I would think the Campground is responsible for not maintaining the property.

Silvertwinkie · 12-10-2003, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 59toaster
If the tree was dead and the campground left it standing it is a safety hazard. I would think the Campground is responsible for not maintaining the property.

That's true, but if you look at all the pictures, you'll see that the tree actually appears to have unrooted itself, not just a limb falling on it.

It would be my guess that it is an act of god and as such the campground might not be liable as there would have been no way to tell or prevent this from happening. Now I say this because looking closer at the photos, you see few leaves on any of the trees so the tree that fell might not be dead after all (most of the green showing is evergreen).

I agree it might be a total.

Eric

campcollector · 12-10-2003, 11:44 AM

In my area you can't find a used 2003 for sale and if you can find one its still new on a lot somwhere else in the USA. Sad thing is I really like the interiors of the 2003 better than the 2004. Airstream doesn't put the wraparound curtains and valances in the new ones.

I am going to take a break from the trailer sailor buissness for awhile.

Silvertwinkie · 12-10-2003, 11:53 AM

Check with Sutton RV to see what he thinks.....

www.gmsrv.com

If you like the curtains, take them off the existing unit and xfer them to the new one if you decide to get another one.

As for the price of an '03, I just got $25,900 on trade (what I paid for it new). There are still a few dealers asking near $30k for a new '03 Bambi and the '04s had a price increase, so work with State Farm. If they are clueless, then you have the advantage.

Eric