First Ding...

[TravisH]

Hi,

Well it happened.... Let a friend guide me back and I kept asking and looking "are we clear of the tree"..... I have no idea what they were looking at as they said all clear but I clipped it! Not all their fault...mostly mine I suppose but it was a tree that is deceptive. Bushy green soft branches but had been trimmed back recently so thick heavy stumps just out of view and only from one angle. Once I saw them I looked closer and saw the ding.

Not too bad. Upper driver side back corner panel. Doesn't even register on a photo. Less than the size of my hand and a soft 1/16" depression..... Looks like I can polish out the scrape part. Could have been much worse! A 1/4" may have torn off the awning....

Impossible to fix most likely but hard to see and takes me a couple of seconds to find it when looking, light has to be right...

I'm kinda glad I get to learn my lesson on the slightest of damage.

Joys of travel!

Trav

[Hans627]

Sorry about your ding. Unfortunately it seems like it is inevitable.

If it makes you feel any better this was my first ding!

[GMFL]

Might be able to pull it with a glue stick PDR kit. I’ve had great luck with mine.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Sorry about your ding. Unfortunately it seems like it is inevitable.

If it makes you feel any better this was my first ding!

Can’t PDR that......

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Can’t PDR that......

True! A trip to JC and $5k.

[TravisH]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Sorry about your ding. Unfortunately it seems like it is inevitable.

If it makes you feel any better this was my first ding!

Oh my!

That must be heart breaking! I was choking back tears on my tiny ding until I assessed the situation....

It's amazing with all the warnings and clear advice we still put ourselves into such circumstances!

I was sure I'd cleared that tree and a cursory look "confirmed" simply soft green new growth but an immovable stump just hidden. I'm still not sure what my friend was looking at as I directed him to "watch the tree" I guess he was "watching the tree" NOT the Airstream!

I always seem to learn my lessons the hard way......!

Trav

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by TravisH

Oh my!

That must be heart breaking! I was choking back tears on my tiny ding until I assessed the situation....

It's amazing with all the warnings and clear advice we still put ourselves into such circumstances!

I was sure I'd cleared that tree and a cursory look "confirmed" simply soft green new growth but an immovable stump just hidden. I'm still not sure what my friend was looking at as I directed him to "watch the tree" I guess he was "watching the tree" NOT the Airstream!

I always seem to learn my lessons the hard way......!

Trav

Yes I know the feeling of heart break. I almost lost my breakfast! I was sick for a day. But after I called the JC service department and the gentleman I spoke with said this happens all the time and is not a big issue and was easy to fix, I started to feel a bit better. Our insurance paid for it less the deductible.

But I did learn a valuable lesson. Never, ever, back up in unfamiliar territory without a spotter. Education is expensive!

[thewarden]

I am beginning to think that a rear camera on the Airstream is an Airstreamers best friend when backing up.

[lsbrodsky]

actually, my scratches were from a tree overhang that was not visible in the rear view camera, sort of high, on the left side, rear. The tree looked soft, but aluminumand clearcoat are softer. But, we bought our trailer with some right side scratches already there, a couple more just did not matter.
Larry

[primepower]

I have the backup camera and it sure helps with regards to when to start the turn backing up and depth but as far as missing obstacles on the side of your trailer I find it rather useless.

[ROBERT CROSS]

...especially embarrassing with 20 people watching & helping.

Ours, err mine.🥴

It's always best when the dumbest thing, (damage), happens on the first trip.
This was our first trip to our favorite and most familiar campground with our brand new 03 Classic.
We had been there many times with our 63, very cocky and self assured after 18 Seasons. Sunday morning on our last day and we, for once, were ready to beat the crowd to the dump.

Now theres a one way wooden bridge on the road out, just before the Ranger station, and oh yes, with a slight turn on the approach.

DW was watching as I pulled out, and all of a sudden the arms started flailing like a wave off on the flight deck.

'Ya know something....the Classic is a bit wider than a 63 Safari, and the wooden bridge railing was now nicely placed on the streetside panel above the H2o access door. Already had a nice 2ft scratch and I was determined not to cause any more "learning scarz".

What to do? Well it was real early and no one else was around so of-course we started to disassemble the bridge....well only the railing really. We were making pretty good progress when the Ranger came out for his morning coffee and asked..."what the hell do you think your doing?"
"taking the railing off so I don't cause any more damage to our new AS" said I.

Now by this time a crowd was starting to gather and I did hear some snickers coming my way.
A line had started to form behind us and I thought things were going to get rather tense. But after an extensive conversation with the Ranger and some of the waiting fellow campers it was decided to proceed full speed ahead. We all pitched in, shared tools and discussed the best plan of action.

We had the new AS un-stuck and the bridge put back together in less than two hours.

And I was still first in line for the dump.

We still go back to the Campground and every once in awhile the Ranger or a fellow camper will say....."aren't you the ones who?....."
"yes"

Bob
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