Richardrichss
08-19-2014, 05:41 PM
I had my first pretty major screw up pulling a trailer today. A little feedback--I've been pulling trailers my whole life. I've always taken pride in my backing skills. I work in an industry where we preach using a spotter no matter how familiar you are with the space in front of and behind you. Of course, people seldom practice in their personal lives what they preach in their professional.....
I was backing my camper up to a space that I have backed into multiple times. I looked as I approached the space and all looked normal. My wife offered to get out and spot me, but I thought I could get close before I needed her. Something abruptly stopped me when backing in. I pulled forward to see what I had hit. Oh boy.
It was a fairly large log that was near the back of the space that I hit. It pushed the jack up into the belly lining, possibly bending the frame where it mounts, crushed the black tank spilling it's contents (treated water and some minor usage-2 gallons tops) and tore the lining.
We came back down out of the mountains where we could get signal. I called the dealer in Rock Springs and they let me know that it would sit there a while before it could be looked at as they are short a technician. I called the dealer in Salt Lake, and based upon what I told him, he figured it would sit on his lot for about a month after he looked at it while parts came in. He also quoted me $115/hr shop rate. He suggested trying a smaller dealer where I lived. I called the Jayco dealer here and they will take a look tomorrow.
My guess is this will turn into an insurance claim. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but am not afraid to tackle the smaller projects. I'm told that getting the manifolding correct on your tanks can be a project. I really prefer that the job is done right.
Does anyone have any feedback on what to expect here?
I was backing my camper up to a space that I have backed into multiple times. I looked as I approached the space and all looked normal. My wife offered to get out and spot me, but I thought I could get close before I needed her. Something abruptly stopped me when backing in. I pulled forward to see what I had hit. Oh boy.
It was a fairly large log that was near the back of the space that I hit. It pushed the jack up into the belly lining, possibly bending the frame where it mounts, crushed the black tank spilling it's contents (treated water and some minor usage-2 gallons tops) and tore the lining.
We came back down out of the mountains where we could get signal. I called the dealer in Rock Springs and they let me know that it would sit there a while before it could be looked at as they are short a technician. I called the dealer in Salt Lake, and based upon what I told him, he figured it would sit on his lot for about a month after he looked at it while parts came in. He also quoted me $115/hr shop rate. He suggested trying a smaller dealer where I lived. I called the Jayco dealer here and they will take a look tomorrow.
My guess is this will turn into an insurance claim. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but am not afraid to tackle the smaller projects. I'm told that getting the manifolding correct on your tanks can be a project. I really prefer that the job is done right.
Does anyone have any feedback on what to expect here?