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08-26-2015, 02:23 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Dalton
Posts: 44
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Stupid Mistake!
Today I picked up my camper from storage to get it ready for camping next week. I did a great job of parking it except that I forgot to chock the wheels. As soon as I unhooked the trailer it started to roll back towards my house! The terror was sickening as I knew immediately what I forgot to do. Well when I finally walked to the back of the trailer I found that the house amazingly had no damage except for an outside light on the wall. However the trailer did not fair as well. When the trailer hit it broke an outside light and that poked right through the back of the trailer. I will need 2 panels of siding replaced to fix the damage. Could have been a whole lot worse however so I am taking my beating and moving on. Remeber to chock your trailer BEFORE unhooking.
With that said the dealer is backed up in service. Does anyone know how difficult it is to remove the panels and repalce 2 of them? It appears that each panel is stapled on the bottom then slides into a groove on the one above it. I could remove the other panels in order and reaplce them if the dealer can get the material. Am I correct in my understanding how these are attached to the trailer? Is there anything I need to be aware of?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
__________________
2011 Jay Flight 29QBH
2013 F250 6.7 Diesel Lariat FX4
:cool:
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08-26-2015, 02:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,795
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You will also need to remove the corner trim, which is screwed on, to access the panels. You will need butyl tape to replace the corner trim.
If it was me, I would get some Eternabond and simply cover up the damage until the dealer can look at it and give you an estimate.
Either way, good luck! Mistakes happen, what can you do. When I bought my first trailer we brought it home and parked it in the back yard. I needed to take it to an inspection shop to get tags. I pulled out of my backyard and kept a close look at the corner of the house, making sure I didn't hit it. Well... stupid me didn't account for the fact that the gutter stuck out 6" past the house... ripped the gutter off the house and caused a minor dent in the aluminum siding on the trailer.
It is what it is...
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08-26-2015, 02:59 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: St. Clairsville
Posts: 225
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I honestly don't know how hard it would be. Your homeowners may cover it though. When we had holes and were waiting (from a wreck) we used camouflage duct tape while waiting on the repairs and kept camping . Realizing that this is like closing the barn door after the horse gets out, but one suggestion. I never take my chains off until the camper (or other trailer) is off the ball. That way if I forget to chock the wheels (and we've all done it) it will only move back a little bit and shouldn't get any damage. Sorry it happened to you.
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08-26-2015, 03:08 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Dalton
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djtho1
I honestly don't know how hard it would be. Your homeowners may cover it though. When we had holes and were waiting (from a wreck) we used camouflage duct tape while waiting on the repairs and kept camping . Realizing that this is like closing the barn door after the horse gets out, but one suggestion. I never take my chains off until the camper (or other trailer) is off the ball. That way if I forget to chock the wheels (and we've all done it) it will only move back a little bit and shouldn't get any damage. Sorry it happened to you.
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Great idea on the breakaway chains!
__________________
2011 Jay Flight 29QBH
2013 F250 6.7 Diesel Lariat FX4
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08-26-2015, 03:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bellingham,Wa.
Posts: 6,657
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You can add me to the rollaway list but luckily no damage.
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2010 Jayco Hybrid EXP21M
2013 Toureg TDI
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08-26-2015, 03:55 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
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Yeah good policy to chock first and leave the safety chains attached to vehicle until all is secure. Not sure what the siding removal process entails, do you have to start at the bottom or top when removing panels to get to the affected ones?
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
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08-26-2015, 04:14 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Burley
Posts: 63
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It would be bottom to top to put on or water would leak.
__________________
Jayflight 2014 RLDS
2012 Ford F250 6.7 4x4
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08-26-2015, 04:56 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Michigan
Posts: 350
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I really don't think it would be that hard to fix. Probably harder to find the new panel . Two years ago I helped a friend rebuild the rear of his fifth wheel the panels just slid in from the side we used a lot of butyl tape. The repair looked better than it was original.
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08-26-2015, 05:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 139
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Depending on the complexity of the repair and the availability of parts, you may want to submit a claim to your trailer insurance carrier.
__________________
2018 Whitehawk 31RL
2016 Nissan Titan XD CTD
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08-26-2015, 06:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OKC
Posts: 403
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I've poked a hole in the back of a TT too. My was much stupider tho!
Tape it and investigate the do it yourself project, or weight out the repair shop option. Good luck
__________________
2016 Road Warrior 355
2015 Ram 3500 Cummins SRW 4x4 MegaCab ShortBed
2011 F150 ecoboost - Traded
2015 Jayflight 28 BHBE (sold)
2009 Jayflight 26 BH (sold)
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08-26-2015, 06:25 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Dalton
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayson 197
Depending on the complexity of the repair and the availability of parts, you may want to submit a claim to your trailer insurance carrier.
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Already contacted them to start the process. Will wait for some estimates before I complete the claim since I have a deductible as well. Hopefully it will not be that much. I think it is going to be more labor than parts.
__________________
2011 Jay Flight 29QBH
2013 F250 6.7 Diesel Lariat FX4
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08-26-2015, 06:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elephant Butte, NM
Posts: 1,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djtho1
I honestly don't know how hard it would be. Your homeowners may cover it though. When we had holes and were waiting (from a wreck) we used camouflage duct tape while waiting on the repairs and kept camping . Realizing that this is like closing the barn door after the horse gets out, but one suggestion. I never take my chains off until the camper (or other trailer) is off the ball. That way if I forget to chock the wheels (and we've all done it) it will only move back a little bit and shouldn't get any damage. Sorry it happened to you.
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Instead of duck tape try aluminum tape I find it will stick and stay when duck tape doesn't.
__________________
2015 F350 SRW 6.7 LB 4X4 Crew
2017 Durango G353KRT
2006 F350SD 6.0 LB Crew
2000 F250SD SRW 7.3 LB Extended Cab Air Bags
2002 Western Star 4900EX 500 Detroit 13sp.
2014 Eagle 30.5BHLT (sold)
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08-26-2015, 07:38 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 222
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Good thing you have an aluminum sided trailer. If it were fiberglass you would be replacing the whole back wall.
__________________
2015 Jayco Jayflight 24FBS
2013 F150 Super Crew 3.5, 3:31
2004 f150 Super Crew 5.4, 3:73 traded
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08-26-2015, 07:46 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elephant Butte, NM
Posts: 1,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silverark
Good thing you have an aluminum sided trailer. If it were fiberglass you would be replacing the whole back wall.
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Fiberglass is easily repaired you can buy a kit at Walmart. Most wouldn't have any problems following the instruction on the can, rattle can paint and it's done.
__________________
2015 F350 SRW 6.7 LB 4X4 Crew
2017 Durango G353KRT
2006 F350SD 6.0 LB Crew
2000 F250SD SRW 7.3 LB Extended Cab Air Bags
2002 Western Star 4900EX 500 Detroit 13sp.
2014 Eagle 30.5BHLT (sold)
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08-26-2015, 07:55 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: McKean, PA
Posts: 1,071
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You could have stopped it in its tracks by pulling the brake safety cable......
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2011 Skylark 21FKV
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08-26-2015, 09:53 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 517
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Not that anyone asked...
To keep things in perspective, none of the damage appears to be structural. The aluminum siding is needed to keep out the weather.
Sealing the damage against water intrusion with Eternabond tape, aluminum tape, sealant, or other effective patch method will buy you plenty of time to either wait for a convenient repair window, or continue using your trailer until repairs are completed.
Given an older trailer I'd be tempted to properly seal the damage and then cover it with a camping/travel related sign or fancy doo-dad rather than pay a $500.00 insurance deductible. (Not sayin' your trailer is old.)
vic
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08-26-2015, 10:47 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Aloha
Posts: 31
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Bummer. I always thought the tongue jack would drag and prevent too much rolling in such a situation. In my field, stuff like this would be fail safe. I was surprised to find out the trailer brakes were off without power.
__________________
2015 White Hawk 23 MBH
2014 F150 Lariat Ecoboost w/ 3.73
TT rookie
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08-27-2015, 05:55 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Ugggghh!! Sorry brudda man. Not the end of the world though. Good luck to ya!
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2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
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Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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08-27-2015, 06:34 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Dalton
Posts: 44
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Thanks for all the replies. Luckily the damage is only cosmetic so I will patch and continue camping until I can get it into the dealer for service.
As for the brake away cable I would not have had time as it all happened very quick and only rolled about 1 foot.
Now that I have learned my lesson I have made a checklist of important steps to follow during unhooking and reconnecting the trailer. I will use this from now on and will not just rely on the old brain as it sometimes forgets things.
I will have to say nothing but good things about Barker VIP electric tongue jacks. That thing is one tuff jack and did not even bend or flinch.
Today is a new day I move on!
__________________
2011 Jay Flight 29QBH
2013 F250 6.7 Diesel Lariat FX4
:cool:
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08-27-2015, 05:24 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Manning
Posts: 376
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Mistake
Should be some DIY videos available to give you an idea how to replace the panels. Also, talk to your dealers repair shop. I think once you remove the corner molding (being careful not to disfigure it) you just slide the damaged panels out and put the new ones in using a lot of tape. You can get the tape at Wal-Mart.
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