Did the shipper damage my 1975 sovereign??

[CollierCrew]

The company I contracted to flatbed my 1975 Sovereign 31’ chose to lift the trailer by the rear bumper with a boom hoist to get it on the flatbed. Now there are large dents and wrinkles in the trailer. I was not there to see it happen, so it’s a he said she said situation. What are the tell-tales signs and evidence I can point to in order to identify the responsible party?

[AlinCal]

Hmm, Get Advise on lifting points from Airstream? but doubt the rear bumper is rated to lift a 31' trailer.
Before pics?
I'm guessing it was popping and oil canning as they put a load on it

[AlinCal]

http://pandstrailerservice.com/comme...-s-africa.html

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...56250128234280

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...56250128234280

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...56250128234280

[mkcurtiss]

Originally Posted by CollierCrew

The company I contracted to flatbed my 1975 Sovereign 31’ chose to lift the trailer by the rear bumper with a boom hoist to get it on the flatbed. Now there are large dents and wrinkles in the trailer. I was not there to see it happen, so it’s a he said she said situation. What are the tell-tales signs and evidence I can point to in order to identify the responsible party?

There have to be some photos of the rear of the trailer, before it was moved, without the dents in it.......perhaps date stamped photos.......How do you know they lifted it by the bumper?

[CollierCrew]

I think I attached pics.. before and during...

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by CollierCrew

The company I contracted to flatbed my 1975 Sovereign 31’ chose to lift the trailer by the rear bumper with a boom hoist to get it on the flatbed. Now there are large dents and wrinkles in the trailer. I was not there to see it happen, so it’s a he said she said situation. What are the tell-tales signs and evidence I can point to in order to identify the responsible party?

File a claim with the shipper's insurance company. Whoever you contracted with is responsible. Let them sort out which person or vendor is responsible. That is not your problem unless you hired/payed for more than one contractor.

Get estimates from Airstream Inc. You can contact them by phone then send pictures of damaged areas by email.

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by CollierCrew

The company I contracted to flatbed my 1975 Sovereign 31’ chose to lift the trailer by the rear bumper with a boom hoist to get it on the flatbed. Now there are large dents and wrinkles in the trailer. I was not there to see it happen, so it’s a he said she said situation. What are the tell-tales signs and evidence I can point to in order to identify the responsible party?

Who did it and how are not your problem as long as you can show it was undamaged when they received it and damaged when you took delivery. File a claim.

[CollierCrew]

A follow on question: can this all be fixed?

[AlinCal]

Of course it can.

Looking at your photo of the strap around the frame-bumper is your bumper skewed like that when at rest(no strap lift)?

[featherbedder]

That def. oil canned plus IMO there is rear frame damage also. I no about oil canning as I did rt. rear corner on steep driveway entrance. It is a very expensive repair.

[Belegedhel]

Originally Posted by CollierCrew

A follow on question: can this all be fixed?

I only see one dent in your pictures. You describe many dents, though.

Yes, of course it can be fixed. The question is, what is the trailer worth, how much might you get on an insurance claim, and what is the cost of repair? If you have several dents like the one shown in the picture, I can guarantee that it will be totaled as the cost of professional repairs will be in the thousands.

But to answer your original question, yes, the shipper definitely damaged your trailer. Your challenge is proving it. Only before and after pictures can help you do this.

good luck!

[SilverPal2]

Get a quote for repairs from Airstream Inc or Airstream dealer. The trailer will most likely be totaled because you cannot lift it in the manner in the pics and I am sure the frame is bent. Get a reputable appraiser to establish a pre damage value for trailer and ask for payment from the moving company. Give me a call if you would like to discuss
James Polk ASA PE
jamespolk@polkvaluations.com
805 646 7293

[mykytiukr]

Well....I do not believe that the frame is bent but it did flex in a way it was never intended to which caused the rigid shell to buckle as it. It is definitely the fault of the trucking company. Travel trailers of all kinds are shipped by the hundreds every week but on a different kind of trailer. The one pictured is a stepdeck with ramps. These are meant to load equipment such as tractors with high clearance or tracked equipment such as a small dozer or excavator. A proper trailer is made just for this purpose. All travel trailers need to winched onto the trailer or backed onto it with a small tractor. This is the ONLY way they do it in Indiana where most are made.
Been in trucking most of my life and have dealt with many freight claims and the trucking company usually loses. This here should be easily proven!!! Get on the trucking company ASAP!!!! If they are uncooperative just google the trucking co. and all their info will come up somewhere including the insurance company. All of it is published per FED DOT Regs. Good Luck!!!!!!

[mkcurtiss]

you have all you need. Call a lawyer. They will have to fix your Airstream, unless they have no insurance, in which case you have to sue them....Either way, get a lawyer. Very expensive repairs.