Tore corner of trailer with tail sway

[Tampajohn]

Yep the tail sway got me in parking lot post. Called progressive insurance and there coming out. 2012 evergreen 27ftr and corner pulled out about 22 inches tall and back about 6 inches in. Waiting for adjuster pTryimg to figure out whether to pull corner back in myself which is about two inches out and cover with eternabond or let shop do it. Just guessing trailer probably worth 9k. Looks ok on rest of trailer ,but not perfect. Fading from Florida sun and decals cracked. Should I pocket the money and fix myself for 50 dollars or send to rv shop. Any suggestions. Thanks
Planning on keeping it for 5 more years.

[youroo]

If "Tail Sway in a Parking lot" got you,your Speed was way to Fast! Tail Swing is more likely! If Decals are peeling and the trailer is Sun faded just a Patch job seems sufficient. I doubt they will pay to make it like New. Youroo!!

[KyDan]

That age and keeping it that much longer.... I'd take the money and patch it myself-- As long as you're sure your patch is keeping the water out!!

[Flybob]

You might try waterproof construction glue in between the separated sections then clamp for several days. Add new screws to the edge then add new edge trim with a good caulk/glue.

[Tampajohn]

Pulling with an F250 and a Hensley Hitch, there is no sway at all. Trailer is only 5100 lbs dry weight. I do not even know the trailer is back there.

[Tampajohn]

Kind of my thoughts also of me doing my own repair. Waterproof caulking and eternabond does wonders. Curious to see what the insurance company is going to do. I will keep you posted, one step at a time. I also wonder if I got nailed at the storage lot. We packed up and threw some food in and took off the Tropical Palms close to Disney. Kind of interested to check units in storage area for dents or scratches. I live in Sun City Florida and a bunch of old people including me. LOL The corner trim is so wrinkled, I am curious if anyone knows where I could but a piece of it. I also am not certain how I get to the screws. Any help appreciated.

[Feel Swift]

Originally Posted by Tampajohn

I do not even know the trailer is back there.

Evidently so


If you file a claim, pocket the cash and cobble together a patch job you do realize your insurance rates are almost certain to go up, maybe substantially, for not only the trailer but any of your other vehicles also?


If I was going to go down that road I think I would just find a competent place and let them do the complete repair which may mean re skinning the rear wall.

[Tampajohn]

Thanks. I have accident forgiveness. Hope that included rv. Already called them and hope payout is more than increase in rates.

[Feel Swift]

Originally Posted by Tampajohn

Thanks. I have accident forgiveness. Hope that included rv. Already called them and hope payout is more than increase in rates.

You might want to look into that accident forgiveness. Look on your policy and review your discounts. What they will do is not raise your rates because of the "accident forgiveness", but at next renewal you'll lose your "accident free" and "safe driver" discounts. It's all a cleverly designed shell game. And if you have Progressive and some others, just one speeding ticket or other moving violation in the last 3 years will void "Accident forgiveness". Now you have a rate increase, and lose "discounts". It can get expensive quickly.


You're not going to file a claim when you're at fault that does not cost you money in the long run.

[rollscanardly]

I used this tape when I rebuilt my camper. See post # 161 for pics...

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-125403-9.html


https://www.amazon.com/Dicor-CS112B-.../dp/B0778KMN74

Good stuff!

Rich

[SailorSam20500]

Another option if you decide to do the work yourself. You mentioned using Eternabond. Because the repair will be down low and in plain sight, I would consider using the FlexSeal clear tape.

I used some to seal a leak in the gutters on my house. Tape feels like a thick vinyl and bonds extremely well. While it has only been on for a few months now, we have had both hot weather and now a lot of snow... Bond is holding water tight.
I'd expect the FlexSeal to be a lot less noticeable.

[SQROOT]

I did the same almost, slid the left side against the cement wall in the driveway and did not file as the repair was the same as the deductible. Gotta watch the deductibles.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Tampajohn

I am curious if anyone knows where I could but a piece of it. I also am not certain how I get to the screws. Any help appreciated.

Originally Posted by Tampajohn

I am curious if anyone knows where I could but a piece of it. I also am not certain how I get to the screws. Any help appreciated.

From an RV "junkyard." Here are some in Florida, from Google. There are others if these are not close or do not have the parts.

Waltrip Used RV Sales formerly Bob's Used RV parts
https://www.facebook.com/waltripusedrv/

Brandon Auto Salvage
http://www.brandonauto.com/

Loetscher Auto Parts
http://www.loetscherauto.com/

Creative Coach Collison Repair
Creative Coach Collision Repair and Design Center in Lakeland, FL is an interior design company for motorhomes.

Conibear RV Center
http://conibearrvcenter.com/

These sites have lists by state, too
Florida RV Salvage - used RV parts in Florida (lists 20)
Motorhome salvage lots in central Florida
https://rtrvg.com/blog/2017/07/22/us...ards-by-state/
(lists 19)

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-fl-25868.html
Discussion right here on FRF

[CaptnJohn]

Do not think you are the only one! Most hide the fact!

WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

[Tampajohn]

You guys are a encyclopedia of knowledge. Last ticket was over 20 years ago. I drove a school bus cause wife said I needed something to do in retirement and quite aware of tail swing. Tail swingers club funny. All ready called progressive. I might be sorry. To late now let's see what they do. Thanks all . Rv salvage yards very informative
I live in Tampa. Adjuster coming out Friday. Thanks again for all comments.

[dward51]

I can't tell from the photo, but did it split the wood or just pull it away? If it just pulled it away it should not be that hard to fix (but let insurance get their photos first - and protect from weather while you wait).

You likely just need to pull that center rub section out of the trim then you can access the fasteners for the trim. It is likely just going up to the top of that section and not along the roof. Then reattach the pulled away wood (pull those staples out) and install a weather resistant foil to seal along the back and side panel edges (you will likely need to cut it down so it can be covered by the trim, but it will form an extra weather barrier under the trim. Install new trim, new center piece and seal around the edges. Should look like new.

If you have ever worked on a rub rail on the side of a boat, that is how the center section of that trim is installed. It covers the trim fasteners, and the under section should slightly wrap around the corner.

Edit -------------------

I did not notice the tear in the 2nd picture the first time I looked at it (around the area of the ".com" in the dealer name). But it looks like you should be able to patch that with 2 part epoxy from the rear and along the tear and it will be both water tight and not visible.

[Tampajohn]

It split the plywood. Separated the layers and also tore the outside of fiberglass about 6 inches. What I was thinking was put a piece of 2 x 4 behind and assemble layer of plywood with construction glue. Use screws to get back together and cover the patch job with black eternabond. The tan trailer has black trim all around it. Eternabond will make it completely waterproof. Wife chuckled and said This is not a provost. Lol. Paid 13k for it. Pulled over 80k miles. Took care of it mechanically but Florida sun beat it to death. Put ZEP floor polish to get some shine. 5 more years will provide 50k more miles. That will move me close to age 80. Probably slow down bit then ,but now play tennis daily. Sell it then for what ever i can get. Lol

[cariboo camper]

Did a similar oops. Start tearing it apart, trim and all the screws etc are readily available at most RV stores. You might be surprised at what you can accomplish by using this forum and google and just going to body shops etc.

Good luck.

[Dela]

Did the same thing at a gas pump- made a very good repair myself. I googled RV repairs and found a youtube video that spelled it out including parts list. I cleaned up the "wound" by removing the ruined trim piece and filled with caulk. Then I got that roofing tape- it's about 8 inches wide and super sticky and silver. I cut a piece to fit and used a credit card to press it on hard and smush out air bubbles. THEN - as per the video - i took a white vinyl fence post, split it lengthwise and cut to fit and carefully screwed it over top of the silver tape; caulked the edges, and about 3 hours later, I had a very good repair. My RV is an '03 Jayco, so- it's waterproof and not bad looking, but didn't want to spend the money for the shop repair. Plus my camper angled in, yours looks straight up and down, much easier! Hey, if I can do it...anyone can!

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Tampajohn

Yep the tail sway got me in parking lot post. Called progressive insurance and there coming out. 2012 evergreen 27ftr and corner pulled out about 22 inches tall and back about 6 inches in. Waiting for adjuster pTryimg to figure out whether to pull corner back in myself which is about two inches out and cover with eternabond or let shop do it. Just guessing trailer probably worth 9k. Looks ok on rest of trailer ,but not perfect. Fading from Florida sun and decals cracked. Should I pocket the money and fix myself for 50 dollars or send to rv shop. Any suggestions. Thanks
Planning on keeping it for 5 more years.

On of my camping buddies did about that to a brand new Grand Design 5er. Insurance paid $14000. A tad bit better than the day it happened and we pulled it together with aid of ratchet straps and two or three strong men, pinned with the judicious use of three inch drywall screws.