Friday, January 22, 2010

Shakedown - Damage Assessment

We got up at 8:30 and started getting ready for the trip downeast today. It was cold 38 degrees with misty rain. Real nasty, but I worked on the inside putting the last minute stuff away and Jim got ready outside. It took till about 10:30 to get it all ready. The hookup was a couple tries but we got it. We pulled out and went to the end of the road to turn right. That's the end of todays PLANS.



The turn wasn't wide enough and the back right wheels on the rig went into a culvert. I thought the whole rig was going to tip over. Jim kept it moving and it pulled back out but I saw a huge chunk of dirt and just didn't look right so about a mile up the road he pulled over in a large spot to check it out. Yep, the steps were pushed to the left and a board from somewhere was scrapping the tire. The bottom piece was broke and crunched out.

There's a small dealer about two miles up the road so we went to them to find out just what may have happened and how serious it might be. They couldn't help us, it was beyond what they knew anything about but said we could get it to the dealer in Claremont with no problems. We made a few phone calls along with calling the dealer and they said to come up right away and they'd try to help us out.

It's three and half hours west, we got there about 3:00. The service guys were great! The front office gal remembered us and said there's a lot of people that do damage and not to worry. The service guy gave a list of what's wrong, the steps, flair (piece on bottom), and when we tried to lower the right side bigfoot leveler it didn't work either. Parts have to be ordered, the insurance adjuster has to see it and it may be a couple of weeks before it all comes together. We're going back to Clayton tomorrow and wait for the adjuster then come back to the dealer to have everything installed when all the parts get there.

We may be heading to the dealer on the way to Texas. We're sitting at the dealer tonight. In the meantime a blood vessel broke in my eye and it hurts so I won't be getting on chat tonight.

Days that we're SUPPOSE to leave for Texas 25 (plans are made in jello)




























15 comments:

Unknown said...

Ouch!! Look like something I did to our old C-Class years ago. It turned out just to be cosmetic....fortunately. Sorry this had to happen to you so early in you adventure...but it can happen to anybody. Get it fixed...the on you will go. Think of it as a "learning experience"...((hugs))

A couple of newer paintings 2019 said...

What a bummer! I'm so sorry to hear about the damage but it will get fixed. Take care of that eye!

Anonymous said...

You sounded so excited about this little trip, sorry it ended this way. Remember the 5th wheel can be fixed...it's you we're worried about. Please take care of yourself.

Birdie, FL

Anonymous said...

Dee and Jim My heart goes out to you. Hope your baby is repaired and your travel plans get back on track. TARDIS Lessie

Unknown said...

Yeow! Well, let this be the worst one...

Allan and Jeanne said...

Sorry to hear about the mishap with your new trailer, this is what we refer to as a "bump in the road". We have had a few since left but trucks or trailers can be fixed and life goes on so don't let your enthusiasm be dampened. It is still a great life. Take care of yourself.

Sue and Doug said...

ouch!!..hope Tumbleweed will be fixed soon and you can carry on down the road..we have had a few mishaps so we know how you feel!!

Jenny Johnson said...

Sorry to hear about your "owwee" but happy to hear you are both okay...ill try to call you today.

Connie and Rod said...

Oh no. :( What a crying shame.

We have a 90 degree turn just down the street with a 3' ditch. The road is a single lane and its really tight. I cringe every time we head out in fear of that dang corner.

Hopefully, your beautiful fiver will be back to normal quickly.

Connie

Frerx Adventures said...

Dee,

Seems we all go through this early in the adventure!! We are still working on fixing our 'ouch'. Like others have said, just consider it a learning experience, take a deep breath and move on. While Tumbleweed may have 'tumbled' a bit you'll have all back in line in no time and on your way to Texas!!

Hugs, C

Rod Ivers said...

Not the learning experience you were hoping for, but it all counts! Now that you got that first damage over with, you can go on and have fun with the rig. Stuff is broken all the time with these campers, and you get used to after a while. Dee, take care of yourself and your eye, and the camper folks will fix the rig in due time. Rod & Loyce

Linda said...

Hi Jim and Dee,
We check in on your blog from time to time. Like others have said, we had a couple of scrapes during our first month with our new 5th wheel - first, a post near a fuel island at a convenience store (lesson learned - we only stop at truck stops), second, snagged a tree with the upper rear corner - (lesson learned - watch those darned tree limbs carefully). All that was fixed within a couple of weeks. We thought we had it all done and then scratched the unit on a fence due to not allowing enough room on the corner just a couple of weeks ago...we're bummed, but little harm done and hopefully wiser as we go! Hang in there! Linda

Anonymous said...

Hello from wet southern Minnesota,
Sounds like you guys are getting in some good learning curves with that new rig. I hope all the rain and such quits for you by the time you make it to Texas. Has been interesting for me to follow some of your posts on your blog Denise. I am sure you'll make it through this just like you guys made it through the times in the military. Well Linda is ready to head to Wally World for a few things for tomorrows BIG game against the Saints. But of course the Vikings will prevail...:) Linda says HI to you both too.

Till Later,
your ole friends,
Chuck & Linda

LakeConroePenny,TX said...

We took out a mail box and litter barrel on our maiden voyage with the big bus. Though it didn't hurt the steel bus!!
Stuff happens.
Take care of yourselves, that's what counts.
Happy Trails, Penny, TX

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness..I just read about your mishap on Joe and Sherry's blog. I am so sorry to hear about this. Of course now that this is out of your system nothing can go wrong now, right?

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