We were camping in North Georgia and a sudden storm came up, knocked over some trees near us. We got a big dent (about a foot long) in the front panel above the front window of our two-month-old Safari FB
So, it's repair time; anyone been through this before that would recommend a shop/dealer in the North Georgia/TN area? I'd like to get some other options besides my dealer. I assume the entire panel of aluminum skin will have to be replaced.
Also, do these types of repairs require fixing it from the inside (remove interior cabinets and skin)? Or, can the replacement panel be removed from the outside and replaced from the outside?
Lance, in all honesty, you are close enough where a trip to Jackson Center might not be such a bad idea. I may not always agree with what the mothership does, but I have seen what they did with JodynJeep's Safari when he kissed the entire curbside with a guard rail. The replaced a lot of the skins on the curbside and to this day, looking at the pics, I could not tell it was ever in an accident.
Keep in mind, in some cases, the standard repair is to overlay a panel over the damaged panel. This may depend on the type of damage and if it's possible, but again, I think unless someone can say, yup, these guys near you, Jackson Center may be your best bet.
I know if I was in your shoes, my options would be 2 dealers within 75 miles, Ace Fogdall RV, who does excellent work and is 5 hours away from me or Jackson Center, which is also 5 hours away, I chose Jackson Center. No parts delays, shipping issues, etc. It's the factory so when they get the part, you have the part. Any ancillary damage, cabinets, ribs, etc, what better place to take it but the place the built it? Just make sure you contact you insurance company first and then try to get a basic estimate from the factory. This sounds like a fairly expensive repair if any internals are damaged.
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We were camping in North Georgia and a sudden storm came up, knocked over some trees near us. We got a big dent (about a foot long) in the front panel above the front window of our two-month-old Safari FB
So, it's repair time; anyone been through this before that would recommend a shop/dealer in the North Georgia/TN area? I'd like to get some other options besides my dealer. I assume the entire panel of aluminum skin will have to be replaced.
Also, do these types of repairs require fixing it from the inside (remove interior cabinets and skin)? Or, can the replacement panel be removed from the outside and replaced from the outside?
Thanx, Lance
Usually, the exterior metal is replaced without disturbing the inside of the trailer.
But, be careful who you may choose to do it for you.
It sure can put a damper on a holiday when your trailer gets whacked. Something that visible on the trailer, it's really one of the first things you see when coming up to it, you would want to be repaired perfectly. Jackson Center would be my first choice only because this repair has to be perfect.
Now that you have your first major dent over with you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and deal with it when you get home. It's a lousy thing to happen, but life happens so you just get on with being out and having fun since it's not leaking or impairing your use of the trailer.
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