More body damage, insurance, and mothership part 2

[dznf0g]

Well, here we go again. Last night Mrs. "dizzy and Foggy", I and another couple, along with their two kids were in the front of the AS playing UNO and there was a loud bang and the whole trailer shook. I thought we had been hit buy a run-away car. Rushed outside to find this:









Ironically, these are the same 2 panels replaced in 2011 after I backed into the garage door framing. Jackson Center, here I come...and we'll see how FCIS does on a claim.

BTW, for anyone who still wonders how Olympic Rivets hold up, these two panels were installed with Olympics 6 years ago and even after this crushing, none popped and no seam opened up. So at least we have some actual punishment of them.

[interstateflyer]

Very disturbing images.

[SteveSueMac]

Ugh! Sorry!

[Al and Missy]

Ugh! Sorry Rich. Well, JC has done it before, so they can do it again. After a visit it'll be as good as new. Actually, with all your work it'll be better than new.

Al

[cwf]

Ouch! Rich, man, that..ummm ... is awful (sucks)... I may be having a trip to MS, too

[dznf0g]

Just got the estimate from JC. $4,417, before examination for hidden damage...like the FF base being cracked....Insurance claim is in...awaiting the adjuster contact. Vanishing deduct is only $100.

Thanks for the encouraging words. Time of ownership does lessen the "OMG, it'll never be new again." I'm in the "use it and relish the battle scars" camp now. Could have been structural and A LOT worse, but it is just skin and "bolt ons".

[TravlinMan]

I am sorry this happened to ya but glad nobody was hurt. I have worried about this happenin to me. I try to camp away from trees if I can but sometimes that's hard in the forest, ha! Easier in the desert.

But sometimes I think these airstreams are too fragile.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by TravlinMan

I am sorry this happened to ya but glad nobody was hurt. I have worried about this happenin to me. I try to camp away from trees if I can but sometimes that's hard in the forest, ha! Easier in the desert.

But sometimes I think these airstreams are too fragile.

Yeah, but this was a large limb. Pretty punky and absorbed a lot of water in the 5+" of rain in the prior 36 hours. Soaked up a lot of water and was HEAVY. You only see the skinny end in the pics. When it landed, butt end first, on the end cap, it literally exploded and the top portion slammed the fan cover. Pieces of the limb all over the roof and around the camper. It was about 4" in diameter at the butt, and probably 6 - 8' long when it hit. A lot of weight.







But, it didn't come through....would a rubber roof/, 1/8" luan have stopped it from penetrating? This was right over mamma's head, if it were an hour later.....the skin deforms easily, but it is pretty tough stuff.

Note: the pic of the guilty tree is zoomed in....it was at least a 40' drop to the AS.

[TravlinMan]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Yeah, but this was a large limb. Pretty punky and absorbed a lot of water in the 5+" of rain in the prior 36 hours. Soaked up a lot of water and was HEAVY. You only see the skinny end in the pics. When it landed, butt end first, on the end cap, it literally exploded and the top portion slammed the fan cover. Pieces of the limb all over the roof and around the camper. It was about 4" in diameter at the butt, and probably 6 - 8' long when it hit. A lot of weight.

Attachment 297118

Attachment 297119

Attachment 297120

But, it didn't come through....would a rubber roof/1/8" luan have stopped it from penetrating? This was right over mamma's head, if it were an hour later.....the skin deforms easily, but it is pretty tough stuff.

Note: the pic of the guilty tree is zoomed in....it was at least a 40' drop to the AS.

Yeah I'm glad it didn't hurt anyone. I still want a carbon fiber trailer. Someday, it's gonna happen.

[J. Morgan]

If it was me, I think I would try to push that dent out from the inside, at least until I was able to get it fixed....

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

If it was me, I think I would try to push that dent out from the inside, at least until I was able to get it fixed....

Yeah, I thought about that....briefly. It would require substantial interior cabinetry disassembly. It looks like JC is taking December appointments now. I asked if I could drop it before snow (salt) flies and pick up in mid-March....awaiting response. After adjuster has a look, I will inspect the FF base for cracks, and will apply temporary sealer along the marker light, panel seam, and at FF, if necessary for winter waterproofing. It rained throughout the night after the hit, and none of my water alarms sounded, but if it is going to sit for a couple months at JC, I want to ensure that no existing sealer stretch opens up.

[switz]

Glad you were not hurt. The unexpected is what insurance is for.

[interstateflyer]

We had a dent about half the size of yours that crossed the same seam. I was planning on a panel replacement. On a whim, last week I called a Dent Pro technician who had done work for a friend.

He used a large and powerful rubber suction cup to remove the dent in less than 30 seconds. There is now a very faint and barely noticeable line where once there was a dent.

I'm mentioning this for the benefit of readers who might have a less complex dent than yours and who want to avoid a panel replacement.

[dznf0g]

Progress! Insurance estimate made after adjuster inspected last week. Insurance estimate was a bit higher than JC estimate for same labor operations and parts! Gotta love that. So check is coming next week, which will cover the deductible as well.

[GMFL]

I would not accept that check until repair is complete. There are alway unforeseen repairs needed and the minute you take that check that is the last you will here from you insurance company. They are not on your side. They want to settle the clam quickly and as cheaply as they can.

[dznf0g]

Well, the letter and estimate from them clearly states that any hidden damage or additional work will be covered at the time of the repair and paid directly to JC. They recorded the conversation and we discussed it in depth. I hear what you are saying, but this isn't my first rodeo.

[dznf0g]

Also, repairs won't be till late December or January. My baby will be spending the winter at JC.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Well, the letter and estimate from them clearly states that any hidden damage or additional work will be covered at the time of the repair and paid directly to JC. They recorded the conversation and we discussed it in depth. I hear what you are saying, but this isn't my first rodeo.

Great. Just want to make sure you cover all you a$$ets and do not get the shaft

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Well, the letter and estimate from them clearly states that any hidden damage or additional work will be covered at the time of the repair and paid directly to JC. They recorded the conversation and we discussed it in depth. I hear what you are saying, but this isn't my first rodeo.

We had significant hidden damage to a vehicle that C21 paid for with no qualms. Also extended our rental car for two weeks due to two different headliners coming in damaged. This was in a Ford Expedition EL. Deer strike to the tune of $12,000. I was shocked they didn’t total it.

[dznf0g]

Thanks, of course.