First Time Exterior Damage to Rock Guard- Looking for Advice and Cost Estimate

[mrpettit]

I've got a 2012 Flying Cloud 20'.

Driving back today and F150 ran over something and must have kicked it up into AS. Didn't think much of it until I stopped to check the tires and saw the damage to the rock guard. See attached photo.

Anyone have any idea what it will cost to fix it? I don't want to make an insurance claim unless it will be worth it. Plus I'm supposed to switch insurance carriers on 12/1.

Also where do you all go for repairs? I'm new to Airstreaming so I don't know where to start except with the insurance company.

[moosetags]

That's a pretty good ding. Before replacing the rock guard, I would remove it completely, and try doing a little hammering from the inside. You might be surprised at how good you can make it look.

Several years ago I had a ding on one of Old Lucy's rock guards. I removed it and worked on it with a automotive dent hammer. I was pleased enough with the results that I never replaced it.

Brian

[vinstream]

Your rock guards are made of Stainless steel and with the right equipment can be fixed with that type of damage to about 95% to 98% like new. A good shop would charge about a hour of labor to fix it. $80.00 to $100.00 seams to be the labor rates for most shops today. You may have to ship it if you can't find someone in your area which would be additional cost. Sometimes you can find used ones for about half the cost of new ones. I have fixed ones with worst damage than yours for a lot less than a used one. Hope that helps

[BAB]

Think that a new SS wrap protector runs $500 (and you'd probably have to pay shipping as well). I'd try a good body shop. Don't know if working on stainless steel is all that easy...but would sure ask!

[BoldAdventure]

Originally Posted by BAB

Think that a new SS wrap protector runs $500 (and you'd probably have to pay shipping as well).!

Andy said but did not confirm that the price is for a pair of protectors and not per side.

Originally Posted by SKEETER

The price quote I received for a new one for my 1993 Excella is $535, which does not include tax or installation.

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The price you quoted is for a complete set (both sides) segment protector. One side only, obviously is much cheaper.

Ordering what you want or need, and shipping it to you from our stock or the factory, depends on what you want, and where you live, since shipping costs depend on size and distance.

Also, for the benefit of all, Fedex and UPS have raised their shipping rates again, as they usually do after the first of the year.

They also have changed their billing method to the size of the package (dimensional weight), or the weight, which ever is greater, plus the greater the distance, the greater the cost.

In the past, dimensional weight only applied to "air" shipments. Those days are gone.

Andy

It's worth contacting him about it.

[BAB]

Out of Doors Mart quotes a set of these (both sides) for $1,082.00.

[BoldAdventure]

That price is why I am trying to fix mine, but then Andy from Inland RV posted that in the other thread below this one, but hasn't followed up with my question to verify. May contact directly, because 500 is way better for a set than 1000.

[Isuzusweet]

Keep the ding and just relax .......It could have been a lot worse. An Airstream with no patina is just that, an Airstream without soul and stories.

Cheers
Tony

[mefly2]

It comes off easily ...take in to your local body shop and they will restore it to 90-95% until it gets hit again...its your lower "rock" guard doing its job. Get some Rock Tamers ... (large flaps).

[TinTin]

I'd think any paintless dent repair shop would be able to deal with this type of repair easily.

[mrpettit]

Looks like there is a little damage underneath as well to the black plastic thing.

2nd photo attached.

I'm assuming it is ok if I don't fix this. Can someone confirm?

I'm fine having some body shop do their best for $100.

[cwf]

That's a bit more than a 'ding'.. thankfully it was there to absorb some of the impact.

Once you get that panel open you can see behind..that will tell more.

[A W Warn]

I don't think $100 will even come close, considering replacing that broken banana wrap is what should be dealt with first. That will act like a water scoop letting water into the belly when driving in the rain, if you do not fix it!

[polarlyse]

Well, it is a "protector" and it did do it's job. As far as the piece behind it the auto repair industry has some really ( and I mean REALLY) good adhesives these days. A piece of flexible plastic can be glued to cover that opening and retain it's integrity to water intrusion. Stop by a decent body shop and if things are a bit slow for them I think they could do a very decent job for you. OR, stop by a NAPA store in your travels and see what it would cost for the stuff to do it yourself. Beware though, some of these adhesives require specialized application tools. By that I mean a tool similar to a caulking gun but it has 2 plungers instead of one. Knocking dent out of the segment guard will just take a light touch and some patience.

[A W Warn]

I looked at ODM to see how much a plastic banana wrap actually cost. I was surprised that the ones that are shown on their parts website were ~$50.

My guess is that it would take 3-4 hours labor to replace the banana wrap.

[Urbanologist]

Be glad you are in location near North Dallas RV. I have used them for repairs to my units. Not cheap, but EXCELLENT work! Talk to Randy. Your shield did its job!!! - and saved you money! The part is "low" cost; the labor is the big charge on our toys.

[Urbanologist]

Btw, you DO NOT want to call your insurance carrier on this! Your main concern is repairing the damage so you have a water tight seal if you opened any area under the body. I understand your pain; my unit has a rear RS (Road Side) blemish from a wayward Walmart shopping cart. Repair quoted at $400 for material + $800 for labor. I have $1000 deductible, so I'd only fix it - if REALLY necessary!

[Breinero]

Try to locate someone with a Harbor Freight English wheel (a sheet metal forming tool) and they can fix in about five minutes! SS works very easily and can be polished to a mirror shine and then given a finish to look like the original with a Scotch Bright dish pan scrubbing pad.

[AtomicNo13]

MEK can be used to glue the plastic bandanna wrap. You'll have to repaint the area when done. It will be 100% strong. MEK is very effective on this plastic.

A highschool auto/metal class will have lots of experience at fixing the segment protector. Free, and $10 a quart plus a little time

[AtomicNo13]

Should read banana wrap