OK, it's sad that I don't have anyone to scream at, so I'm here, just ten minutes after it happened. A truck with mirrors sticking out some five feet from the truck hit the back of the airstream litteraly as I was standing in the door telling the mailman that the value is in the perfect skin!!!!
I AM SO MAD....it's really not all that bad, the big dent popped out, but the little one, and the big scrape may never go away. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, I feel a little better now.....
Here's pics.
It's illegal to have this parked out front, not to mention that it isn't liscenced...he said he'd pay for the damages....what does one charge for such a thing...??????
THanks.....
Ron
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Ron ... now in Newport, Washington
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I'd be sure and get info from driver, and start checking a number of sources to see if "amost nearly as good as new, sort of.." is possible as repair objective.. As long as skin not torn or cut, there may be opportunity to regain original appearance and surface... In big city like St. Louis, I'd try (an any particular order..)
1. Paintless Dent repair guys, who promise to repair body denting using heat and pullers and buffers..
2. High end auto body shops, to find one that works with Aluminum car bodies, and has experience doing similar things (Cobra's, Audi's and other exotics are aluminum...)
3. Aircraft repair and restoration shops (check local FAA "FSDO" office) to see if any local aircraft mechanics (remembering ex TWA mechanics should be all over greater St. Louis..) have an interest in trying it.. Some who assist home-builders or do restoration work are awfully skilled. [ You might also check to find chapter of EAA (Experimental AIrcraft Assn) in area for referral to aluminum wizards, as there are probably several chapters and it's likely to find good leads on them through others who have built or rebuilt aluminum aircraft.. If not listed locally, try eaa.org web site..]
4. Finally, trying Jackson Center and Airstream shops to see if they'd like to try and resurface (and maybe this should not be final step..)
Last thing I'd worry about is truck driver's feelings or wallet... Assume he has insurance and cares about keeping it and his job...
JB McG
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Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
I feel your pain. You're fortunate that the guy stopped, so you didn't have to hunt him down, and then remember where last you left the rope, lime, and shovel.
Best of luck with the repairs. It's one thing to buy a trailer with blemishes, or even inflicting them yourself, but seeing it happen in front of your eyes? Aaargh!
At least the damage isn't as bad as Bruno's. Poor Bruno.
I just emailed Andy, adn will hit the other suggestions after i get it off the street. Living in the city, it's hard to fit these things anywhere. But if it's parked at the warehouse, I don't get anything done....GRRR>..
Thanks, I appreciate it, and keep any other suggestions comming....
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Ron ... now in Newport, Washington
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Ron know you are just sick...Airstream nightmare. Like JB said thank goodness the skin is not torn. Andy has seen and repaired a lot of wounded Airstreams hopefully he can offer you some solutions. As one who owns a vintage with several blemishes, I can only guess at how horrible you must feel, having a rare one with an almost perfect skin. Hang in there...
I had so much on my mind today I just went on with what I had to do without getting too mad that it happened. Now that I have had time to think about it, and I have talked to a few people, I'm livid.....Thanks for the support all...I'll keep you posted, just like everything else!!!
Ron
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Ron ... now in Newport, Washington
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There's several places that can repair or supply the panel/skin. North Dallas RV is an Airstream Service center and they repair older trailers including skins. Additionally, they have a good reputation for service and customer interaction. Sorry you have to deal with the headache.
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"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"
I had so much on my mind today I just went on with what I had to do without getting too mad that it happened. Now that I have had time to think about it, and I have talked to a few people, I'm livid.....Thanks for the support all...I'll keep you posted, just like everything else!!!
Ron
Ron,
A week after I took delivery of our new Touareg, I noticed a pretty good little dent in the passenger door - more than a door ding - this was a dent. I thought, "Oh Gawd! Not that already!!! The first one is always so hard. At least now the rest will be easier." Anyway, I was at the dealer and they said they would have their dentless repair guy fix it for me. I brought it in and within an hour it was "gone" - literally. Sometimes they can work miracles. They did for me - no trace.
It's worth a try. Might cost all of $65 or $75.
My thoughts are with you. This was a BAD day for you my friend.
Dang, Tin - sorry to hear you got "spanked." Well guys, he did say he got hit in the AS.
Hope you can get that fixed up soon. I hope that if I become proficient enough with the rivet gun, that if I had a similar problem I could replace it myself, so long as it wasn't a dent on a crown piece, which has to be vacuum-formed.
Hell, for $1100 I'll learn to do it and travel around the country fixing everyones scrapes!
ESPECIALLY if he was talking on a cell phone, as you say, don't be shy about making him pay up.
I'm sure drivers on cell phones are quite happy about their ability to yak endlessly while endangering everything around them, but this is a prime example of why that's stupid & wrong.
He cost you the beautiful Airstream that you laboriously hauled home in one piece. The repairs should be HIS problem, not yours.
I have a 2002 28 ft classic. 3 months after I had it a small dead tree limb fell about 15 ft onto the left rear crown. The damage was not as bad as yours looks. Airstream dealer said it would be repaired only with a new skin. $1700.00 later we were on our way.
Good Luck David WBCCI #3456
I was at the dealer and they said they would have their dentless repair guy fix it for me. I brought it in and within an hour it was "gone" - literally. Sometimes they can work miracles.
Unfortunately, the paintless dent removable doesn't usually work on this type of dent in Airstreams. Aluminum is very soft and it stretches so it can't just be pulled out.
Once it has a crease, the panel is usually history...or the crease becomes a "beauty mark", if you did it yourself. But with someone else doing it....yikes! Replace the panel...
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
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