Ouch - not a good day

[Topperace]

Well, had our first bad damage incident with a tree at park we pulled into today...
tree got us as was trying to back into the first site we were attempting to get into... what a very long and tall RV can get into if not extremely careful as I thought we were being...but both sides of site were tight...oh well, patched it as best I could today given some bad weather coming tomorrow...have the insurance claim in IF they will do anything.... sigh

Just thought I would share ....

[Midnightmoon]

So sorry to see that. Please keep us updated with the progress of your repair.

[Jagiven]

Does not look good!

Keep us up to date, with how the repairs go.

[JFlightRisk]

Sorry that tree bit your 5er. I hope your insurance is good to you.

[TaftCoach]

Hoping that insurance treats you fair and there is a repair shop that can get you in quickly.

[Vaquero]

Dang hoss. That's bad.

[F350guy]

Stuff happens but it takes on a different dimension when it happens to you. Feel for you. Hope you can get it repaired soon.

[Topperace]

Yeah, will work with Insurance and see what options are...and if any place can get us in. Will update once done. Thanks all for the comments.

[TWP723]

It can be fixed. Sorry for your misfortune.

[Lake Huron]

If campgrounds did some PM around their parks,.stuff like that wouldnt happen.
Last year we visited a lot of state and private owned parks and overhead tree branches/limbs are an issue in just about every one we were at.
I sent an email at the end of last season to the head of our state parks division about this issue. We'll see if anything gets done even at a few of our local state parks, but I really doubt it.

[Riich]

Originally Posted by Lake Huron

If campgrounds did some PM around their parks, stuff like that wouldn't happen.

I disagree. If people would use spotters and proper communication stuff like this wouldn't happen.

When I was in the workforce, if backing into something happened on the job you could and probably would be terminated. They took it that seriously. And we all totally understood that. It is entirely preventable.

[Happy wife / happy life]

Just a word of caution dealing with the insurance company. If they want to cut you a check before the repairs are completed you may be responsible for any hidden damage repair. I would talk to the repair shop about this issue and ask them if the insurance company excepts “ supplemental repair bills “. If they do you really don’t have a problem. If they don’t they should cut the check directly to the repair shop minus your deductible for the completed repair. Your rig took a pretty good hit! I think it may take awhile for the repairs to be completed. Good luck.

[16WhiteColly]

State Parks in Texas are doing less cleaning and care year by year. When I asked, was told they like the natural look. Only cut grass in the sites, want naturally wooded around. Do not blow leaves anymore, not natural. As far as trimming trees, I have never seen that. If one falls in a site, they cut it up. If one falls in the woods, they leave it. Do not clean any brush around the lake either.

[RVhiker]

Originally Posted by Riich

I disagree. If people would use spotters and proper communication stuff like this wouldn't happen.

When I was in the workforce, if backing into something happened on the job you could and probably would be terminated. They took it that seriously. And we all totally understood that. It is entirely preventable.

I disagree with you. Camping sites should be accessible and safe for whatever type of camping vehicle they are advertised for. Many campgrounds DO neglect maintenance of all sorts, including trimming back potential obstacles.

I do agree that a good backing helper will help you avoid obstacles, but one helper can not look left side, right side, and roof area all at the same time. You have to do the best you can. You can watch your mirrors, use two way radios, hand signals, and a bull horn for communication but stuff still happens - hopefully less "stuff" as one gains experience.

[Riich]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

I disagree with you. Camping sites should be accessible and safe for whatever type of camping vehicle they are advertised for. Many campgrounds DO neglect maintenance of all sorts, including trimming back potential obstacles.

I do agree that a good backing helper will help you avoid obstacles, but one helper can not look left side, right side, and roof area all at the same time. You have to do the best you can. You can watch your mirrors, use two way radios, hand signals, and a bull horn for communication but stuff still happens - hopefully less "stuff" as one gains experience.

What are we disagreeing about? I too think campgrounds should do maintenance and be accessible and safe. No question about that. But if I drove into a campground and see a big tree or branch that is going to damage my rig, I'm not going to be foolish enough to back in anyway and suffer damages and then blame the campground. That's ridiculous. Use a spotter. Make certain they understand what is expected of them. When you lose site of the spotter, you DON'T move. There is no reason to back into things. None whatsoever.

[eow]

Riich, I hope you did not jinx yourself.

[RDTC]

I carry a dewalt pole chain saw. Very lite weight and breaks down into 3 short sections.

When in campground, I watch very close for low branches. If I come across something questionable. I stop, get out the saw, and cut it down. Some times holding up cars behind me. People have thanked me.

[RDTC]

Should have added this picture.

Had a bad storm one night camping. 90 mph winds coming off the lake. Knocked down a tree next to our camp site. Tree ended up on the truck.

Was able to use the pole chain saw to cut up the tree for easier removal from the truck.

Unfortunately, $17k in damage.

[Bugzilla46310]

Originally Posted by Lake Huron

If campgrounds did some PM around their parks,.stuff like that wouldnt happen.
Last year we visited a lot of state and private owned parks and overhead tree branches/limbs are an issue in just about every one we were at.
I sent an email at the end of last season to the head of our state parks division about this issue. We'll see if anything gets done even at a few of our local state parks, but I really doubt it.

I don’t disagree as I’ve gotten close to a branch or two. But it also seems campers, more so 5th wheels, are getting taller and bigger every year. Surprised some can fit under highway viaducts. Some may as well be converted 18 wheelers.
I’m sure with government budgets, state park maintenance is a top priority.
Also it’s nice to have trees in a campground. Been to a few that seem to be converted corn fields that were void of any trees.

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by 16WhiteColly

State Parks in Texas are doing less cleaning and care year by year. When I asked, was told they like the natural look. Only cut grass in the sites, want naturally wooded around. Do not blow leaves anymore, not natural. As far as trimming trees, I have never seen that. If one falls in a site, they cut it up. If one falls in the woods, they leave it. Do not clean any brush around the lake either.

This is true. I was at one where I could just barely access the dump station due to low hanging branches. Took some maneuvering to make it happen. I understand not everyone has a tall FW or class A and I like the trees, but there’s two things they could do. One, they could do a little maintenance to to make it more accessible. Two, they could provide more than length info. Provide some height info for parks. Texas now has photos of sites and that does help, but it still takes some digging to figure out if your FW or other large unit can safely make it through the park roads and into the sites.