Our 2019 2509s was rear ended today...

[efiguero]

So someone rear ended our trailer today, their car was pretty much totaled, or close to it. Good thing they were fine and no one got hurt. The damage to the trailer did not look entirely too bad until we got home a looked it over. The bumper is mushed in like a V, and the spare tire bracket cut into the back wall of the trailer. You can see a crack on the inside. Then we noticed in the right lighting, you can see what seems to be seams in the wall like if it buckled a little. That is what has us worried. I did not notice any issues with our hitch on the truck, which I am concerned about if it may have been compromised.

Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? How do the repairs work, do they patch the holes, replace the walls, etc?

Would something like this total a unit?

We have not even had it a year. Luckily we just got back from a 10 day spring break trip close to 3,000 miles from Texas, NM, Arizona, Utah and back to Texas. At least it happened after our big trip. We have their insurance and will be talking with their adjuster tomorrow for more details. Police report, etc. I have a feeling it is going to be stuck in a shop somewhere for a while getting repaired, nothing in the RV repair world seems to move quick. Our next trip is mid July, I hope we have something by then.

[Teresa CAL]

Oh, that’s awful! Good thing no one was hurt. I’d be worried about the damage you can’t see, like frame, structural, roof, etc.
Will be interesting to hear what the adjuster says. Maybe ask about a rental until yours is fixed?

[Reverse_snowbird]

So sorry to hear about the accident. Glad you're ok.

If the car that hit you was almost totaled, the impact must have been pretty hard. That doesn't bode well for the trailer or your truck. It could total out the trailer and you might have a lot more damage underneath than you can see.

Make certain you have someone appraise the damage that is familiar with rv trailers.

At this time of year, you might have trouble getting it repaired quickly.

[TJ Midwest]

That really sucks! Glad to hear you’re ok. We bought an observation camera for ours right away, but that still does nothing to control all the bad drivers we share the roads with. Too many people out there not focusing enough attention to driving safely. That can definitely ruin a camping season.

Without seeing the damage it’s hard to say what it would take to fix it. Hope it’s not too extensive. Good luck!!

[upflying]

I would surmise the rear-ender was probably texting.
Although you have their insurance info, you need to make a claim with your insurance. Your insurance will send an adjuster out to look at your trailer and either total it or send it out for repair. Repairs will probably take longer than your next trip in July.
Your insurance will then seek restitution from the driver that rear-ended you.
Post a photo if you can.

[DaveSchwartz]

I had a TT almost exactly like that. Had a deer running across the highway make it part-way between the truck and trailer. Result: dead deer and totalled trailer.

It didn't look too bad... front corner seam opened up a little and cargo door smashed in (the gore all down the side washed off). I was in the process of trading it in for our current 5er and had this one final trip. Dealer wouldn't touch it after that.

The problem is that the frames of these ultralite trailers are essentially made from formed tin foil and can't take any kind of impact without some damage. They are also impossible to repair in any certifiable way. This is an issue for your insurance company now.

Turned out OK... I got more from the insurance company than the dealer was going to give in trade.

[Brother Les]

Contact your insurance person. YOU should stay out of the way and let the insurance companies work it out. Do not sign anything from the other persons insurance company.

[JohnD10]

Yes...

You deal with your insurance company and let them deal with the other guy's insurance company.

You have no reason at all to contact the other person's insurance company.

[gastan]

Originally Posted by Brother Les

Contact your insurance person. YOU should stay out of the way and let the insurance companies work it out. Do not sign anything from the other persons insurance company.

x2 - especially about the do not sign anything - ANYTHING - from the other insurance company unless and until your insurance company see it and okays it.

I would go so far as to refuse to let them even inspect the trailer until your insurance company says it is okay.

Good luck.

[upflying]

Yes, I missed the OP's mention that the other drivers insurance will send an adjuster out.
Under no circumstances should you discuss, negotiate, sign anything, make statements or allow them to inspect your trailer without your insurance company's knowledge.
Get your insurance company involved immediately!!

[RET.LEO]

I would insist on the manufacturer do the repair. They have a repair center that they use that specialize on RV repairs. Repair estimate would include transport to and delivery from...........in other words your trailer will probably be totaled and you will have a new one. Be sure to have a body shop that's qualified check the frame on your truck.
I'm afraid you're in for a long process. Be patient, stay firm. They will undoubtedly offer a settlement for a used trailer value. Tell them to make you "whole again" with a trailer still under warranty like your's was.........they can't. I wouldn't settle for anything less than a new trailer.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by RET.LEO

I would insist on the manufacturer do the repair. They have a repair center that they use that specialize on RV repairs. Repair estimate would include transport to and delivery from...........in other words your trailer will probably be totaled and you will have a new one. Be sure to have a body shop that's qualified check the frame on your truck.
I'm afraid you're in for a long process. Be patient, stay firm. They will undoubtedly offer a settlement for a used trailer value. Tell them to make you "whole again" with a trailer still under warranty like your's was.........they can't. I wouldn't settle for anything less than a new trailer.

X2 If the car was totaled, the TT likely is as-well. You may also want to check your own policy to see the coverage. Quite often your insurance will pay the claim and then duke it out with the other insurance company.

As far as talking with the other insurance company, I would also suggest not to converse. DW had an accident years ago. The other driver was at fault. The other driver's insurance called. The adjuster started the conversation trying to fault my wife. I advised him that he already had the story wrong. His insured was at fault. We had nothing more to say. The claim was paid within the next week.

[RitaB]

I had something similar, but it was a hit to the front right corner while I was parked on my parking pad. The adjuster came and said it could be fixed. I called my dealer who also repairs TT's, had it towed to his place. He called me the next morning and told me it was totaled. The hit twisted the frame slightly to the left, it would never track down the road and they don't fix twisted frame because it would cost more then it's worth. He also thought it might be possible that I have compromised gas and water lines.
By the way, check your policy, do you have full price or cost reinbursement in it. If you do, since you've only had it less than a year, you'll get what you paid for it minus the deductable. If not you get what it's worth now. My dealer had insisted I get it, my TT was older so I didn't get it all but better than I would have otherwise.

[67L48]

Yep. Your insurance company pays you, less your deductible. Then, your insurance company gets paid back by the at-fault party's insurance ... and pays you back your deductible at that point. There's a legal term for this that I forget.

Either way, you never even talk to the at-fault party's insurance company. You only deal with your own.

[lswartz]

Have you tv checked as well. My truck was rear ended and during repairs they found that the receiver bolts were bent. A whole new receiver was installed costing more then the body damage.

[stephndudb]

Sorry for your troubles. Hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction. This brings up a question. If you're full timing and your RV gets wrecked does insurance cover temporary lodging for you until it's fixed or replaced?

[steven skare]

I agree with all the above comments. Let you insurance deal with it. I had a situation were a Transport trucks trailer bent my car on the drivers side. Trucking company came to me work to sign papers. My boss kicked him off the property. Called my insurance company about this. That was the end . Car was fixed. Thy want the money but do want to pay. Good luck.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by stephndudb

If you're full timing and your RV gets wrecked does insurance cover temporary lodging for you until it's fixed or replaced?

Some full-timer friends of mine were in an accident a couple of years ago that destroyed their truck and 5'ver, which both were less than six months old.

Their insurance covered their lodging and rental car bills for a couple of months while they waited to get a new truck and 5'ver...also covered by insurance.

[MCTroy]

Be sure to check out your tow vehicle too, not just the hitch. If you were stopped and the impact pushed against TV transmission there could be long term problems. We were tapped by a small car while stopped. Our big Suburban barely felt the hit. But the jarring was enough to break some wiring. Good luck. It sounds like you have a good attitude towards this. Stuff happens.