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koltys · 09-09-2007, 12:26 PM

While pulled off I-80 to assist a friend with a flat tire, an 18 wheeler took a turn too tightlly, with the result that his back tires ran over the bumper on my 1964 Globetrotter. Nobody was hurt, and miraculously, no upper body aluminum was touched. She was still roadable with some tying and taping, and we arrived home from our trip last night.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what to ask for from the driver's insurance company? And more importantly, where does one go for frame and bumper repairs on a 43 year old trailer?

Pix below and more at:
Mabel vs 18 Wheeler

HowieE · 09-09-2007, 12:32 PM

Get in touch with Colin Hyde at GSM Vehicles Inc in Plattsburg NY.

chyde@primelink1.net

Colin repairs older Airstreams.

wkerfoot · 09-09-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koltys

While pulled off I-80 to assist a friend with a flat tire, an 18 wheeler took a turn too tightlly, with the result that his back tires ran over the bumper on my 1964 Globetrotter. Nobody was hurt, and miraculously, no upper body aluminum was touched. She was still roadable with some tying and taping, and we arrived home from our trip last night.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what to ask for from the driver's insurance company? And more importantly, where does one go for frame and bumper repairs on a 43 year old trailer?

Pix below and more at:
Mabel vs 18 Wheeler

First, OUCH. Second, since you are in Illinois, I would suggest the Factory in Jackson Center, OH. Obtain an estimate from the Factory and that is what should be paid. Don't let them total the trailer.

Bill

vswingfield · 09-09-2007, 12:33 PM

Wow! That truck is completely off the road! He has to be the worst truck driver in the world.

Best of luck.

clancy_boy · 09-09-2007, 12:39 PM

First of - WOW - great photo of the sceen, no doubt about that one. I agree with the above post - get the AS Factory a try - they woulld be the experts. Do not let the insurance company to declare this trailer a total loss, much harder to sell that way if that ever happens.

Good Luck, looks like a nice trailer - I would want it back original.

Ken J · 09-09-2007, 01:20 PM

Be careful before you settle - thats not an easy fix - the frame has broken from the shell and floor - you will probably have to pull the interior cabinets and skin, weld a new piece in and reattach everything - nothing overly difficult, but will take a fair amount of time.

Ken J.

thecatsandi · 09-09-2007, 02:54 PM

THe factory will repair an older airstream as well. Colin wil probably do a better job.

Ganglin · 09-09-2007, 04:42 PM

Boy I hate doing this but here goes. As someone in the insurance industry I need to warn you that you are very likely going to have a problem with this claim. First - this is a third party claim so you are not dealing with your own carrier that wants to be sure to keep your business. Second - you are dealing with trucking insurance - it's a specialty coverage so you are not likely to be dealing with "good hands or good neighbors". (it is possible that a standard carrier has the coverage, we will do that sometimes - but you'll have to get real lucky).

If it is a trucking insurance carrier they will likely try settling this by phone. If they send an adjustor out it will usually be an independent (adjustor for hire). When this claim hits their desk they will see 1964 and the first thought is it'll be a total. You can not stop them from declaring the vehicle a total unless you want to take them to court or fight it out through the Insurance Commissioners Office - they have the right to do that if the repair costs exceed the trailers value. (they don't have to be nice about this - just pay you what the trailer is worth). If it's totaled and you settle, the trailer becomes theirs. They will likely offer to sell it back to you for the salvage value. You want to avoid transfering title to them, if they will play along, and then having it sold back to you - it will then have a salvage title.

Try to gather everything you can to support the highest value you can. Your original receipt for purchase (unless you got some great deal) and all the receipts for repairs and upgrades would help. Sales of similar items from Ebay and Craigslist if you can get them.....

Good Luck to you..!!!

rebel beck · 09-09-2007, 04:52 PM

I'm so sorry this happened, the trucker must have been soooo excited to see a vintage Airstream he didn't watch where he was going. I almost do the same thing when I see one. My vote would be to get Colin to do it.

A-Merry-Can · 09-09-2007, 04:54 PM

did it just snap the bumper off the frame, or was the frame bent as well?
jp

TBRich · 09-09-2007, 07:10 PM

Ouch, ouch, ouch...sorry, man. Good luck with getting it all figured out. You look more mellow in that last picture than I would be, I'm afraid! Let us knw what happens...

TB

**azflycaster** · 09-09-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Merry-Can

did it just snap the bumper off the frame, or was the frame bent as well?
jp

In the additional photos you can see that the bumper is still attached to the frame. The frame now has a major bend / break somewhere behind the axel.

Lumatic · 09-09-2007, 08:27 PM

Wow! Sorry for your mishap.

The above comments have convinced me to start documenting now, just in case!

A-Merry-Can · 09-09-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

In the additional photos you can see that the bumper is still attached to the frame. The frame now has a major bend / break somewhere behind the axel.

ah yes... that does make it a bit more difficult. I would definitely talk to Colin. THe whole rear end's going to have to come out.

jp

InsideOut · 09-10-2007, 08:27 AM

Yikes! You're right...that's one freaky "betcha can't do that again" kinda accident!!!! As a fellow '64 GT owner, I wish you luck in getting this fixed, I too would recommend Colin's shop. Please post updates to let us know how this all works out ~

Shari

balrgn · 09-10-2007, 10:09 AM

Wow, what a set back. Good luck

brunoffrance · 09-10-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koltys

While pulled off I-80 to assist a friend with a flat tire, an 18 wheeler took a turn too tightlly, with the result that his back tires ran over the bumper on my 1964 Globetrotter. Nobody was hurt, and miraculously, no upper body aluminum was touched. She was still roadable with some tying and taping, and we arrived home from our trip last night.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what to ask for from the driver's insurance company? And more importantly, where does one go for frame and bumper repairs on a 43 year old trailer?

Pix below and more at:
Mabel vs 18 Wheeler

hi Koltys;
I'm so sorry for you ; I know what kind of feeling you can live when you see you trailer in this situation , a stupid accident and so stupid truck "driver" to stay polite and correct...
I've known damages on my trailer during winter storage and restauration costed $9000 for 2 new panels and lot of hand work . It's what my insurance paid and no more before they say that was the value; all over this amount was for me to pay ; If I did n't agree with that, the trailer 'ld go to the junkyard.... You know what I've done so i 've decided , for the future, to deal with an expert, to get a better value in case of....

the story is there:
AIRSTREAM, HARLEY-DAVIDSON and The American Dream in FRANCE.: 15 avril 2004

Sure the price is for Europe and is very expensive so i think it'ld be easier to find a dealer to repair that at the best price for you and your insurance;On this forum you some of them to reply at your questions.
Courage !

koltys · 09-25-2007, 11:02 PM

Just to follow up, the insurance company today offered a $1500 settlement, and I keep the trailer, which I accepted. They had been talking about $500 to $1000, against which I made my case that the trailer was worth closer to $3000, hoping for the best.

So I will lick my wounds, continue preparing our home for our first baby, due in 10 weeks, and sometime next year will open up the belly, inspect the frame, and perhaps seek out a local metal shop to straighten and reinforce it.

The whole experience has been a bit demoralizing, and is a good example of the potential peril of an accident with a trailer that is in the middle of restoration, when it may be worth less than its purchase price, and/or the cost of the all the money and materials that have been invested in it.

**Stefrobrts** · 09-26-2007, 12:16 AM

I think you'll have that problem with any accident with a vintage trailer. I expect if anything happens to mine, I will have a hard time proving it's value. $1500 doesn't sound too bad, and hopefully the damage isn't too hard to repair.

Boondocker · 09-26-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

I think you'll have that problem with any accident with a vintage trailer. I expect if anything happens to mine, I will have a hard time proving it's value. $1500 doesn't sound too bad, and hopefully the damage isn't too hard to repair.

Another reminder that I need to find someone to appraise the Trade Wind just in case.....