Idiot backs into tree

[vswingfield]

Hi Bob,

Ouch! I feel your pain. Mine, so far has been TV related (that knocking sound is me knocking wood vigorously). Prior to buying the 67, I had a 77 ¾ ton Dodge van. (Later made a great TV) I pulled into a parking lot near Aspen and a 4 door dually pulling a 6-horse trailer was u turning in the lot. To get out of the way, I backed into a space between two parked cars. There was a pole extending into the parking low below the level of the back windows! It made an incredible, perfect, X in the right door. Exactly centered, I couldn’t have done it on purpose any better. Ruined my weekend. Glad it wasn’t either one of my trailers.

Good luck!

Vaughan

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

I can't believe I did it!

My wife and I always use our cell phones to back in, I could find mine quick enough so I said just yell out how I'm doing........she said STOP ....too late!

After putting in almost 400 hours restoring this thing and driving 13,000 miles this year I backed into a tree

I pulled out 90% with a suction cup, but it still needs to be replaced.

Question, I need to replace two panels the one with the tail light and the curved piece above it.

Do I need to remove the inner skins for any reason?

What years are interchangeable?

I know the curved piece must be bought but can the lower piece be easily fabricated from a flat sheet?

What salvage yards are worth calling besides Colaws?

The quarter panel and segment are not flat stock.

They both are stretch formed.

It will be difficult to find "used" panels. Blind rivets hold those panels in place.

You cannot get to the blind rivets, unless you take the side sheet metal off first.

Andy

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Ouch. All that work and a few seconds of disaster.
I would recomend hand signals. Aviation hand signals. The trick is to get the director to stand where you can see thenm and they can seee where you are going.

OK Michelle, seen most of these signals on the deck but we never could hover or drop the winch from our F-14, so I guess those won't apply to the AS either, right?

[thecatsandi]

Hover, only if you get one of those lighter vintage models.
You mean to tell me that your trailer did not come with a tail hook and a place to attach the catapult? I think you need a visit to the factory for a couple of upgrades.

[Roadschooler]

Now that would be a custom look! I just happen to have an extra tailhook hanging out in my garage.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

I can't believe I did it!

You didn't!

I have seen these evil scheming trees before - they wait quietly for shiny cars and trailers and then spring to action. (Click to see in action).

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Hover, only if you get one of those lighter vintage models.
You mean to tell me that your trailer did not come with a tail hook and a place to attach the catapult? I think you need a visit to the factory for a couple of upgrades.

Some models have a "very secure" water tank.

Those owners, empty the water and fill the water tank with "Helium."

Lightens the trailer, and increases the gas mileage ten fold, or so the people from "Back to the Future" say.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Janet

You didn't!

I have seen these evil scheming trees before - they wait quietly for shiny cars and trailers and then spring to action. (Click to see in action).

Janet.

You hit the "tree" right on the "trunk."

Fabulous.

Andy

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by Janet

You didn't!

I have seen these evil scheming trees before - they wait quietly for shiny cars and trailers and then spring to action. (Click to see in action).

That explains it!

I swear in the morning that tree was in a different spot.

[cuyeda]

I bought a wireless camera that mounts on the license frame holder for my dad's van, and works great! Besides using the portable radios, the rear view camera should provide a view of the objects directly behind you. Costo sold it for a short time, and hope to see it again. As soon as I find it, I am going to get it. It was under $80.00. I have seen the same type of camera elsewhere for about $130.00

$130.00 = less insurance claims and cheaper than a deductible.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by cuyeda

I bought a wireless camera that mounts on the license frame holder for my dad's van, and works great! Besides using the portable radios, the rear view camera should provide a view of the objects directly behind you. Costo sold it for a short time, and hope to see it again. As soon as I find it, I am going to get it. It was under $80.00. I have seen the same type of camera elsewhere for about $130.00

$130.00 = less insurance claims and cheaper than a deductible.

Ah, but, insurance is a waste of money, until you need it.

But when you need it, it's the best buy in town.

Then there is the aggravation factor, and maybe the mama factor too.

Then the insurance costs are "real" cheap.

We suggested back up cameras some time ago. But it seems like no one was interested.

We installed one on our make-over, and it's still going strong.

Andy

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Janet

You didn't!

I have seen these evil scheming trees before - they wait quietly for shiny cars and trailers and then spring to action. (Click to see in action).

What? No J. R. R. Tolkien fans? These are obviously evil ents thrown out of Middle Earth wreaking havoc on us for lack of anything better to do.

Vaughan

[pmclemore]

What I like about the backup cameras is that you can attach a recorder to it and catch the dang things in the act. Just wait. I'll show you.

[LI Pets]

Andy or anyone else know which years are compatible for these rear panels?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

Andy or anyone else know which years are compatible for these rear panels?

Can you post a photo showing which panels are damaged?

If not, then "exactly" which panels are damaged?

Left rear quarter, right rear quarter, the panel immediately above it, etc?

Andy

[LI Pets]

Yes I can post a few pic's when I get home from Perry tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks

[LI Pets]

These are the two panels, besides '77 what other years or TT sizes would fit?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

These are the two panels, besides '77 what other years or TT sizes would fit?

The quarter panel and segment are the same from 1969 to 1982 1/2, both stretch formed.

However, the original finish on the surface changed in 1982 1/2 and up.

You will not find any of the original finishes, as they have not been available for years. The segments after that are a very close match, so it really doesn't matter.

Again, use caution, as you cannot remove segments from a trailer without (a) having to cut some of the segment so that you can get at the blind rivets, which renders it useless, or,(b) remove the side sheets first so that the blind rivets can be removed.

Your photo shows that the quarter panel was previously damaged and a section of metal was spliced in between the belt line moldings.

Those panels can be shipped, but only by motor freight.

Andy

[mello mike]

Please respond.

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Again, use caution, as you cannot remove segments from a trailer without (a) having to cut some of the segment so that you can get at the blind rivets, which renders it useless, or,(b) remove the side sheets first so that the blind rivets can be removed.
Andy

Thanks for the info, will I need to look for a 31' TT or are other length TT compatable?

I was planning on just drilling out all the rivets.

That won't work?