Well Crap!!! Frustrations..

[jemek]

Okay so we had our first/last trip of the season finally. We decided to keep the trailer this summer to see how it went with kids schedules and such. The reality is with 2 high school athletes and summer requirements/camps etc...that getting time in to camp is slim to none. I think with the costs of the storage/insurance/etc. For the couple of times we get out, we can go to places that have cabins/yurts etc.

I was also happy as I pulled into the storage area finally home. There was someone else there so we had to wait. There was a new motor home on the end...(pisses me off that they put someone on the center end row, as they barely leave room). The people were there and I kinda told them..I wish the HOA would have left this spot empty, it makes for a tough turn for me to get into)

So I put DS who was the only with me at this point as the spotter. I tell him to watch that side. I should have given better instructions..as in YELL if I get within 12 inches of this 5th wheel. In trying to make sure I did not clip the end of this new motorhome...I went down the road staying to the left side, so I could take the turn wider then I had been as there. Then No sooner when I started cranking it over to make the right turn DS yells stop you hit the 5th wheel. Get out and CRAP!!! I now have a 6in hole in the side of the trailer, where the hitch thingy on the 5th wheel cut into it. I go over and ask the guy to help me get out of this as this was my concern...on trying to make this turn.
HE did then move the motorhome and I was able to get the trailer in. I am so done...but now not only do I have to finish cleaning it out....I now have to deal with the insurance company....should I add that we DO NOT have the $$ for even the deductible at this point. We just paid off Kodie's medical stuff and I have all the back to school expenses. Then deal with getting it fixed...I don't even know what that is going to cost...rather or not the entire side has to be replaced....I have no idea.
I am just pissed that it happened and that I screwed up again. I will say DH did not say a thing...I think he has learned not to...since he NEVER deals with it. He would have just gotten..a "You tow the damn thing from now on".(which he won't..he refuses...I have given up on trying to get him to do it)

[ali1257]

Oh Kristy I am so sorry. Sorry that Zeke didn't yell before you it hit and that Norm is just not a helper when it comes the trailer or driving it. So sorry your trip ended on such a sad note. Was there any damage to the fiver? I sure hope not. And I hope the guy with the motor home didn't say a word - if he did and I was driving I would probably have bit his head off too, just because.

{{{{HUGS}}}} my friend!!!

[BirdbyBird]

Sorry to hear about the ending of your trip. Not the way anyone wants to wrap up a good trip. Deep breath...here..... Hope that tomorrow's light of day will help with the "clean up" of the unfortunate events....

[cpatinjones]

I am sorry to hear about your mishap. I know it is very frustrating. Hoping tomorrow will be a much better day for you.

[sharon]

SS what an end to a trip! Hope everything works out for you.

[Nasoosie]

Oh dear, Kristy, I am so sorry. How frustrating and maddening that you knew as soon as you saw it that the guy should have moved so you could get in there. Here's hoping the repair won't be too horrible, and that the school year will go well for you all. School sports and activities certainly don't leave much room for anything else----I remember those days so well.

Get the whole family to help you move things out and then settle back with some soothing drinks and put your feet up. Maybe the repairs will be easy. Gorilla tape does wonders! I wish they would make it in other colors, however, unless your trailer is dark brown!

[jemek]

Oh Kristy I am so sorry. Sorry that Zeke didn't yell before you it hit and that Norm is just not a helper when it comes the trailer or driving it. So sorry your trip ended on such a sad note. Was there any damage to the fiver? I sure hope not. And I hope the guy with the motor home didn't say a word - if he did and I was driving I would probably have bit his head off too, just because.

{{{{HUGS}}}} my friend!!!

He did not say anything. I did get out and ask him to help guide me back off the 5er. No there was on damage to the 5er, except the white paint. Since we hit the metal hitch and not the actual 5er.

Since it is Fiberglass siding...I am thinking that the entire side would have to replaced??? I have no idea. I almost wonder if this is something so small yet so big that it could total it??? I know with cars, sometimes the repairs are so costly even though the damage is minimal they total it. Of course if they do..that ends all the issues of having to deal with selling it right???

I know with sports and stuff...at this point I can't even see replacing it with a truck camper...we got out once this year and I canceled 3 other planned trips. I just didn't want to do them by myself anymore. This trip I did..because it was the Annual PacNorWest Coastie Family Campout...and I was the one you planned it this year and since I had other Coast Guard Families coming..I could not bail on it.

Edit...it is fiberglass siding...not aluminum..

[Bethers]

OUch. So so sorry. I suggest you get someone out to give an estimate and don't get overly excited until that happens. You're right, little things can do big damage. OR can be little things. Good luck to you.

[Anniepoo]

Kristy -
If you have a camera, post a pic of the damage.

I did something similar when I was a noob. Tried to drive too close to a movie theater's sign, and punched a hole about the size of a hardback book in my fiberglass trailer.
I was expecting a huge project to fix it, but a male friend and I fixed it - it was easy to do, I bet you can do it. Cost me around $10 and took under an hour. Other than slightly mismatched paint color, it looked pretty professional.

So take heart!

[jemek]

DH took a picture with his phone..I was too upset to even think about it. I had mu camera down there. But was mad over it.

I will have him email it and then post it. Not sure how good it will be. We have sealed it up with Duct tape and I think we might cover that with a layer of plastic. I do NOT want any moisture getting in there.

[Pooker]

We're all so sorry this happened to you. It sounds like you are thinking about getting rid of the RV? Fiberglass is probably easier to fix than metal would have been. They have repair kits and if you are seriously thinking about getting rid of it you might just try patching it up. Tell the buyer about the damage, of course, but if it doesn't look too, too bad just knocking a few hundred off the sale price might do the trick. In any case, do your research before committing to anything. You may not have to involve your insurance company at all, especially since they usually raise your premiums if you submit a claim!

Keeping fingers crossed for you. Now ------ take a deep breath!

Pooker

[mtngal]

Hope it's an easy repair! Sounds like you have your hands full getting ready for school!

[Anniepoo]

I'd encourage you to try to repair it yourself. It really is fairly easy to repair fiberglass.

If there's a TAP Plastics in your area, they can sell you all the stuff you need to fiberglass over it.

If you're not up for doing the work, an honest repair facility should be able to fiberglass this without too much expense.

[Travelinana]

It's one of those 'we'll laugh about it later' moments. If you are serious about selling I wish you luck. I had my RV on RV online.com for awhile, got tons of calls but backed out on selling. You are young, the children will leave home and then you can get the perfect for you RV and rejoin us...many of us are leaving hubbys and significant others at home.