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Old 07-16-2010, 07:44 PM   #1
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To fix or not to fix

Had a bit of a run in with my daughter’s kayak! The estimate, based on a verbal description and photos I sent to the dealer, came back at $2220.

My father thinks that I shouldn’t bother fixing it, because in his opinion “it isn’t that bad.” Any opinions from the members here, should I fix it or leave it as is?

Food for though:
I’m not really considering resale value. This is our upgrade (from previous RV) and we will probably keep this trailer until we’re done with camping.
It’s a constant reminder of a big oops!
I certainly notice it, but not so much as right after it happened.
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Old 07-16-2010, 08:19 PM   #2
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Have you talked to your insurance company? That's what they are for, you know...you're paying for insurance...might as well see about making a claim...
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Old 07-16-2010, 08:36 PM   #3
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If you could pull out the large dent it wouldn't look half bad. The small round impression would be much less conspicuous without that. It may require getting to the back of it and pushing it out. It appears to have just missed the seam, which is lucky.

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Old 07-16-2010, 09:08 PM   #4
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My insurance company is already processing the claim. Estimate amount will be deposited directly into my bank account.

Took my Mom for a short outing this week and when Dad saw the damage he thought it negligible recommended leaving it as is.
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Old 07-16-2010, 09:22 PM   #5
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We are jazzing up the inside; new laminate on the dinette and refrigerator top, new covers for the dinette cushions, new throw-pillow covers and new accent material on the valences. This was all in process before the Oops.

I almost feel pressured to have the repair done so the outside looks as spiffy (as we hope) the inside will be.

Dad’s point is that it will save money (deductible and transportation costs) and time to forgo a repair that is strictly cosmetic. I have to travel 300 miles to the dealer, drop off the trailer, return home and then repeat this when the repair is complete. Essentially I have to travel 1200 miles to get the dent repaired.
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Old 07-16-2010, 09:57 PM   #6
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Let's see. It is an otherwise good looking late model Airstream. You like it and want to keep it. You want to fix-up the interior. You've already started working with your insurance. Sounds like reasons to fix it to me.

As a check, though, why don't you go put a similar dent in Dad's car and tell him it's just cosmetic?
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Old 07-17-2010, 05:31 AM   #7
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I got a dent much bigger then yours. It is in full view. I can live with it, and It won't keep me from enjoying the camper. Someday when I have the time and money I may get it fixed.

I wouldn't worry about it to much.

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Old 07-17-2010, 06:10 AM   #8
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I'm not sure what your interior layout is, but I would think you could pull the interior panel and pop that dent out...or pull it with a suction cup from the outside. Either way I think it would be much less offensive. Then, live with it a while....if it continues to bother you THEN take it to the dealer to replace the skin. Just my 2 cents!
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Old 07-17-2010, 06:52 AM   #9
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My two cents... Fix it... It is only 7 years old and has a long life ahead of it. When it is in its 30's then ask questions like this... But this trailer is in its childhood, fix it now, do it right. If you start "leaving it" now what wont be fixed next?
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Old 07-17-2010, 07:24 AM   #10
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If you can get to the inside panel and remove it, most of that will pop out. What a person might do is...

Live with for now,
in a couple months, take a camping trip in the general direction of the repair shop,
after the camping trip, leave trailer at shop for repair,
when fixed, go back and camp again in the general area, and do all the stuff you didn't do the last time you camped there,
tow home.
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Old 07-17-2010, 07:52 AM   #11
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Just curious.....

How did you manage to get a Kayak between the tow vehicle and Airstream to be able to hit , at that location, with the amount of force that produced that wallop?
I'd fix it. You have a nice camper there.
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Old 07-17-2010, 10:19 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nayl View Post
My insurance company is already processing the claim. Estimate amount will be deposited directly into my bank account.

Took my Mom for a short outing this week and when Dad saw the damage he thought it negligible recommended leaving it as is.
You ve already notified your insurance company and will receive a check. Better to fix it. Drop it off and when it's done go camping nearby the dealer or on the way back, that way you get the newbie pleasure of the fixed airstream and a weekend out saving 600 miles for nothing.

I had an SOB motorhome that had 52 problems in 3 years and if I didn't do the above I believe I would have lost it. Luckily the store was near Gettysburg and I love the area. It did get old though.
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Old 07-17-2010, 11:01 AM   #13
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Jackson Center

We just a big dent in ours removed and a panel replaced when a storm came through and put 3 pine trees down on top of 1989 Excella.
Yours is WAY newer and shinier than ours! Fix it!!!
.
You need to call Chris Burch (Service Advisor) at Airstream, Inc.at Jackson Center and send him photos by Fax machine or in email.
937-596-6111 Ext. 7413
Fax: 937-596-7939
email: cburch@airstream.com
He will look at it and give you an estimate of time and money. Ours was done in less than 8 hrs. They had lots more to do! We spent 4 hrs. on the second day getting the AC and door repaired. They get it right the first time in our experience. There are techs there that really know how to massage that aluminum.
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Old 07-17-2010, 12:11 PM   #14
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yep, fix it.......you'll be glad you did later.
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Old 07-17-2010, 02:52 PM   #15
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I'd fix it. I don't turn in little claims to my insurance. I don't want dings on my ding sheet.
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Old 07-17-2010, 07:59 PM   #16
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In response to Melody Ranch:
"How did you manage to get a Kayak between the tow vehicle and Airstream to be able to hit , at that location, with the amount of force that produced that wallop?"

We usually put her kayak in the bed of the truck first. We tie one down in the corner of the bed and the other end sticks up out of the bed. Then we load everything else around the kayak. No problem.

On this occasion we already had the bikes loaded. I put the kayak on top of the bikes so it was laying flat across the bed and I didn't think about clearance. I park it in a pretty tight spot between a small stream and a pond (walking room on the stream side and just a few feet on the pond side). When I pull out I have to make a sharp 90 degree turn as I am pulling onto a single lane road flanked by two ponds. I was concentrating on staying out of the ponds and was watching my clearance around the pond.

When I did look in my rear-view mirror I noticed that although I had cleared the pond, I didn't clear the kayak. The kayak was strapped down so it didn't move when it became became wedged into the trailer. We didn't notice so it impaled the camper as I contiued my turn. You noticed how it hit right between the solar guards and the rock guard?
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Old 07-17-2010, 08:38 PM   #17
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I'll bet you said "OUCH"....or something similar. Your place sounds Great.
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