Another deer disaster story

[jmichaelr]

Last weekend as we were on the way home from a weeks camping at Roan Mountain SP, we were hit by a deer on the highway. He was a big buck, antlers and all, and I did not see him until he hit the Left front (driver's side) of our AS (a 1997 25' Excella). How he missed the truck I can't imagine, but he only hit the stone guard on the left side. It put a very deep dent in the trailer and pushed the couch forward. I later learned that our insurance is not liable as we did not have the trailer as a named insured unit. I had been told that if the trailer was damaged while we were towing we would be covered. Alas, 'tis not so. My question is: Where to have it repaired? We bought it several years ago at Out of Doors Mart in Greensboro, and have had it serviced there since. I have not noticed this kind of repair there, so don't know if they can do it. Jackson Center, Ohio, is about 500 miles from here, but I can take it there if need be. Has anyone on the list had this kind of repair? And if so, about how expensive is it to have done?

[JimGolden]

If you can do this repair yourself, it won't cost "that" much in materials. It will be a ton of labor though.

If you have to farm it out, it's going to be costly.

Once you dent the aluminum, you can't just beat it out and bondo it. The correct repair is to drill out the rivets and remove the bad sheet. You might actually just cut it all out and replace the frame sections under it because they will be bent up too, and maybe not reusable.

Talk to Andy at Inland RV and see what he tells you. He's on these boards.

Jackson Center can certainly fix it for you, but it won't be cheap.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news....

But, glad you're OK. Get it fixed up and get back out on the road!

I can one up you though: last October a deer ran into me at 90 degrees while I was riding my motorcycle. I didn't hit him, he hit me. And like a dope I wasn't wearing 40lbs of leather that one trip. I went down, broke my leg, slid for about 50' and removed a lot of hide. Road Rash hurts BAD! I'd have rather destroyed my trailer completely than gone through that, and I really like my trailer!

But anyway, best of luck with it. You might want to post some pictures and we "experts" can try to help you

See you on the road,

[dznf0g]

Liability is covered for the trailer under the TV policy, not comprehensive. Sorry for your situation.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by jmichaelr

Last weekend as we were on the way home from a weeks camping at Roan Mountain SP, we were hit by a deer on the highway. He was a big buck, antlers and all, and I did not see him until he hit the Left front (driver's side) of our AS (a 1997 25' Excella). How he missed the truck I can't imagine, but he only hit the stone guard on the left side. It put a very deep dent in the trailer and pushed the couch forward. I later learned that our insurance is not liable as we did not have the trailer as a named insured unit. I had been told that if the trailer was damaged while we were towing we would be covered. Alas, 'tis not so. My question is: Where to have it repaired? We bought it several years ago at Out of Doors Mart in Greensboro, and have had it serviced there since. I have not noticed this kind of repair there, so don't know if they can do it. Jackson Center, Ohio, is about 500 miles from here, but I can take it there if need be. Has anyone on the list had this kind of repair? And if so, about how expensive is it to have done?

OODM does a LOT of repair work but I believe most of it is at their Headquarters in Colefax NC. Give that location a call. I hesitate to guess on an 18 year old unit but I had a rear roadside lower segment replaced the upscale way with bucked rivets at the factory at about $3K. I did not need to have any ribs replaced or reinforced... And I didn't have any frame damage. Boy though, tearing out the interior was a much bigger job than I had expected it to be, and involved the dinette and the side couch and unbolting and shoving the furnace out of the way. I had some other work done too.

You didn't ask... but I went to look at their website and they also have some nice used Airstreams for sale. "Lead us not into temptation" or is this a sign from above that it is time to upgrade?

Sick joke - having a lot of venison chili lately?

It does seem a bit early for the rut to start. Antlers still in velvet or clean? If clean maybe the buck saw his reflection in the Airstream and attacked a rival. That just goes to show - Airstreams are sexy.

Good luck on the repair, Paula

[Skatiero]

We hit a deer on the way to the can opener rally a couple of years ago. What a mess. OODM will take good care of you.

[Cannonball]

I hate deer.

[cwf]

There should be open season on all deer. And, I specifically have the AS listed on insurance for theft and comp and liability.

Just for kicks, when are you going to can your insurance agent?

[msmcv51]

There is another place in Ohio that can do the repair for you. It is called P&S trailer service in Halena, Ohio. They are about 75 miles north Jackson Center, on St. rt. 6, between Bowling Green and Fremont. Give them a call at 419-638-6261. They have been repairing and restoring and costuming airstreams since the 1960's.

[Silver Otter]

OODM replace an upper corner panel for us and did a marvelous job. Depend on them.

[TBRich]

Remember: Bambis are deer. So they are not all bad.

But I still don't want any "kin" running into us ... or the other way around.

We have come across a couple of deer-vehicle collisions. They are not pretty.

[perryg114]

Deer can ruin your day. I have had three encounters with them and two of those were in a VW bug inside of two weeks. All encounters were near Tullahoma, TN where I went to grad school.

Perry

[jmichaelr]

Here are some pics of the damage.

[cwf]

Wow... That's nasty!!! Hope you get it fixed up soon!

[HiHoAgRV]

That might polish out...

Seriously though, I have seen a couple of deer hits on trailers where they miss the truck. Crafty suckered

[Belbein]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

That might polish out...

Seriously though, I have seen a couple of deer hits on trailers where they miss the truck. Crafty suckered

Insurance companies ALWAYS claim it's not covered. And some companies always settle claims. If you're looking at several $1000, why not talk to a lawyer who handles auto insurance claims?

[xrvr]

One has to request trailer coverage, at least at Allstate. I have replacement coverage. Really cheap. Jim

[jmichaelr]

I guess the best thing about this damage is that the deer collided with the stainless steel rock guard. Even though it did crunch in the front curved aluminum panel, I believe that it may only take replacement of that panel and the rock guard. OODM will take a look at it on Monday to give an estimate.