Damage to rear corner.

[Paulinekeogh]

I am devastated. Just reversed into our mailbox while parking my 2017 19’ Flying Cloud in driveway.
Here’s the damage.
I live in Palm Springs, CA. The quote from Temecula Airstream is so high.
Anybody know if I could just bring this to a body shop to get fixed??

[Hans627]

Many, including myself, have done such a thing. I understand you being upset. But time heals all wounds!

How much was the estimate?

[Paulinekeogh]

$3,500

[Paulinekeogh]

Thanks for your reply I am hoping some good body work outfit locally can fix it for me.

[Bill M.]

Sorry it happened. It does happen.

The only way to repair that is to replace the segment of Al that is damaged. Al stretches when it is worked. A body shop might beat it out some and bondo it and paint it Al colored. Then you could repair it later if it bothers you.

I would try to get a couple of estimate but I bet that is hard to do and they will all be pretty high. And for the actual repair there are 2 choices. Repair from the outside using Olympic rivets. Or take the interior out and use bucked rivets like the original construction. I would opt for the Olympic rivets if it was me.

Maybe you insurance will pay? Maybe not?

Good luck.

[panamerican]

Unfortunately this is not a typical body shop type repair. The panel is deformed, so pulling it out and applying bondo is not an option. Most body shops don't do riveted panels.

Panel overlay or panel replacement is the only real option here. Also choose your Airstream certified repair facility carefully. Not all are up the this sort of work.

Clearly this should be an insurance claim.

Taking a closer look, there is a strong possibility that you damaged the reinforcement bar (note the rivets). This may mean that the old panel might need to be removed to be able to properly fix this.

I also can't tell if the upper panel is deformed a the center edge or if that is a shadow.

[ROBERT CROSS]

That IS an insurance claim.
To do it correctly the panel needs to be replaced. The dent also includes a rib repair.

Bob
🇺🇸

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Paulinekeogh

$3,500

That is about right...

[n2916s]

Aluminum, unlike steel, has no “memory” — once it is deformed, there is no magic way to reform it. So, as noted, the only good repair is replacement.

[drairstream]

3500 is a very fair price actually

[GMFL]

$3500 is fair. It’s a single panel but to be done correctly It takes time.

[Halford1]

Thought it was way more than $3500. Better have it fixed at an Airstream shop where workers have more experience in replacing panels and put in new rivets. I had mine done at Airstream of Santa Barbara, they replaced 4 panels, a few things for $15,000. I paid only $500 and Insurance paid the rest.

[djb75]

Had an almost identical dent in the same place, and it was $3500 to repair. I was lucky in that our local dealer had the panel in stock and turned the repair around in one day. Progressive paid for everything but the deductible. If there's no internal damage, $3500 appears to be the right amount. You might ask if you can have the old panel - the uncrumpled part can be used to make patches/auxiliary panels, etc.

[CRH]

Originally Posted by djb75

Had an almost identical dent in the same place, and it was $3500 to repair. I was lucky in that our local dealer had the panel in stock and turned the repair around in one day.

$3500 for a one day repair sure sounds like a big profit maker for the dealer.

[Foiled Again]

That dent is so major, I would not be surprised if your interior panel is not also damaged. I had a similar one in 2014... hit and run driver. Took it to Jackson center for repair... $4000 for bucked rivet repair. Given inflation the price is right.

Paula

[matthewk]

Originally Posted by CRH

$3500 for a one day repair sure sounds like a big profit maker for the dealer.

If there were more people who were competent in making that kind of repair, it would be less. Hope they pay the tech well.

[ROBERT CROSS]

The dent is on a rib-line, if the rib is bent the inner panel stands a very good chance of also being bent. How bad needs to be determined.
IMHO JC would be the place to do the repair.
Unless the dealer/repair facility has extensive experience with panel replacement it's off to JC for me.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[djb75]

Originally Posted by CRH

$3500 for a one day repair sure sounds like a big profit maker for the dealer.

Yeah, I'm definitely in the wrong line of work!
I think they were concerned about having an Airstream parked outside when we were having hail storms. They started out saying it would take about a week, but then called the next morning to say it was ready.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Paulinekeogh

$3,500

Yup thats about right. that's why you have insurance.

Specialty skills and materials required to put it back properly. Interior needs to come out in that corner, likely, with new interior and exterior panels from Airstream. Rib looks damaged as well.

This is not something that you can pop out or make look "ok". All or nothing on that repair IMO...

[djb75]

If Airstream has looked at it and estimated $3500, I would guess there is no rib/interior damage. And if you have any more traveling to do this season and don't mind dragging a damaged panel with you, you might want to discuss forestalling repairs with your insurance agent. That way, if you incur any more damage this season, you only pay your deductible once and your trailer isn't out of commission during your travel season. Once you're done travelling for the year, then take it in for repair.