That first stone dent

[Life is a Highway]

It was going to happen ,

I knew when I took it out of storage and on the road with those empty flat beds you know them heavy haulers with the loose stones on the deck and those aggressive speeding dump trucks. That first stone hit was inevitable.

While 2800 miles into a Florida to Bar Harbor trip via the Hershey RV Show and then a side trip to Jackson Center. Today in upstate NY I look in the side view mirror just hoping it was a bug but at a rest stop inspection it made me ill to see a stone hit up on the front panel above the window.

Like a nail hit it at 60 mph not a smooth dimple that could be pulled out. Just bad luck it couldn't hit a replaceable windshield or stone guard. I could handle that thats what they are for.

So are you guys in the "Oh well just another Character Mark camp” or the "This makes me upset and it will take some time to get over it camp “

[Gsmblue]

For me, the latter. But I got over it! Now in the character camp!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, just expect several dings when you go on your Alaska trip; Even if you cover the entire front of your trailer with bubble insulation. Oh and don't forget about that rock chip in your windshield too. I bought a travel trailer for traveling and things are going to happen.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

. . . things are going to happen.

Why even ask the question?

[az-streamer]

Sometimes you hit the road.....
Sometimes the road hits back.....

[brundom]

We had encountered a significant hail storm in the Black Hills in June. Have several large dimples on the front and roof. Any advice about what preventative measures can be taken when driving and it turns from rain to hail? Yeah, I know, look for a bridge to park under. But other than that. Thanks.

[PatLee]

I think I'd head for the trees?

[John&Vicki]

For me it’s character. A trailer to me is a tool, like a race car, where function trumps form. I love shiny and pretty but I worry about that with the concours cars.

Although I confess to adding a bit too much character of late! Don’t ask.

John

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Right now the truck windshield has about a 2 foot long crack in it. We will address that when we get back home.

I believe it was Bozeman that we drove through and noted that pretty much every car dealer we passed had big signs out "trade in your hail damaged vehicle NOW". Apparently we dodged a bullet there.

Our first rock damage to the trailer was on the first trip after we bought it. Later in that season, an orange barrel / tight lane / wandering truck next to us combo got us some little orange spots on the side of the trailer.

Since that first season, we've gone down far worse roads while towing and seen no (noticeable) damage to the trailer. My conclusion is that big trucks tossing gravel and stupid construction zones on interstates are a bigger risk to the trailer than less traveled back roads.

Yes, all of this bugs me. None of it bugs me enough to get me to say at home. Indeed we could have a disaster later this week .... who knows

Bob

[whbrown]

My first dent. Not sure what happened but going to Jackson Center for repair.

[John&Vicki]

Originally Posted by whbrown

Attachment 352817

My first dent. Not sure what happened but going to Jackson Center for repair.

I had one similar to that. I managed to pull it out about 90% with a pneumatic dent puller from Harbor Freight. Leaving more character.

[rmkrum]

Try using an inner tube, a piece of plywood and a shop vacuum to surround and pull that dent. You may get most of it out.

[rmkrum]

Dents, unfortunately are a hazard on the highway. I have a fresh ding in the bottom of a segment protector from the last trip. Better there than in the aluminum, is all I can say. The protector did its job.

[dnas]

We've got dings, and are missing a bumper (who knew?). I was upset with the first ding, but got over it, because Bambi, like me, has character. Another Airstreamer asked where our bumper went, and we have no clue. Can't even guess. The husband has plans to make one. He just finished making a sweet "road box" (think musical instruments) to cover our tanks. He truly is my McGyver.

[DMT]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Try using an inner tube, a piece of plywood and a shop vacuum to surround and pull that dent. You may get most of it out.

I had a similar dent in my end cap and got most of it out with the inner tube - plywood - shop vac trick. Amazing how good it worked.

Don

[Backfortyjoe]

Originally Posted by brundom

We had encountered a significant hail storm in the Black Hills in June. Have several large dimples on the front and roof. Any advice about what preventative measures can be taken when driving and it turns from rain to hail? Yeah, I know, look for a bridge to park under. But other than that. Thanks.

I hear that, we had somewhat the same difficulty farther east in South Dakota with a Bambi 2016 16’ just a year ago. Not much damage on the sides, maybe a few very small dings but hail broke the front curved plastic window and the top was totally bunged up. I had Progressive ins and has the total replacement value for a 2019 16’ Bambi. We added some to it and now have a new 2019 20’FC.

It doesn’t take too many little dings I found out to have the Ins Co call it totaled.
Good luck with what you do with it but a estimate at a AS dealer might be a good thing.

[GMFL]

I just name mine the campground we were headed to when it happened. Picked up Gros Ventre last week...

[OTRA15]

Nice custom!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gros_Ventre
https://www.gtlc.com/rv/gros-ventre-campground

Cheers,

Peter

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by GMFL

I just name mine the campground we were headed to when it happened. Picked up Gros Ventre last week...

Here she is. Hard to see from all the bugs

[OTRA15]

Thanks . . . not exactly a "big belly" which appears to be the English translation of "gros ventre" in French.