Scraped roof on low-hanging branch AARGH
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Topic: Scraped roof on low-hanging branch AARGH
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Subject: Scraped roof on low-hanging branch AARGH
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 3:01pm
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So...i keeping with our new motto, which is: "Nothing good happens when you set up camp in the dark" I scraped the 195's driver-side roof on a rather robust low-hanging branch at the Holbrook, AZ KOA last Friday evening. Scrape is about 8-10 ft long. Dealer wants to replace the rubber roof. Here's a pic of perhaps the worst portion of the damage...repairable?  ------------- 2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 3:34pm
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Contact Forest River. They will advise on whether it can be repaired or should be replaced. I am not familiar with the 195's roof. The one-piece fiberglass roof on our 179 had to be replaced after our accident (close encounter of the wrong kind with a bridge rail when we hit ice with a strong cross-wind). I'm sorry this happened to you and hope that you can get it repaired quickly and get back to camping.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 3:54pm
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Thanks...good suggestion. Sent photos to FR. We shall see what they say. ------------- 2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 5:48pm
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Anything can be built. The question will be the cost of repair. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 7:27pm
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Hopefully, your insurance policy will cover the damage (minus whatever deductible you have to pay).
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 7:43pm
It will, but if this can be repaired rather than having to have the roof replaced I'd feel better...I mean $10,000? Come on, man. ------------- 2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 9:02pm
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If it goes to the factory for repair, it will cost less. When we had our accident, the dealer said it was totaled. The factory was able to repair the RPod. Since I had so much time invested in modifications, I opted to get it towed to the factory for repair. I had to go and pick it up as insurance would cover the lower cost of towing to the factory but not the much higher price to get it shipped back. This was because the drivers who deliver them from the factory would normally have to deadhead back to the factory, so anything they can earn on the return trip is better than nothing. However, from Colorado, I am not sure if even that is possible. Ours was towed from NC to Goshen, Indiana. Besides the roof repair, the whole door side needed to be replaced. A lot depends on what the insurance company says. The problem with the roof is that it is a one-piece membrane. It is not a rubber roof, but is a PVC roof. Repair for that would be different than for a TPA or Rubber roof. Besides, the structural damage to the roof under the PVC visible in the picture means that the repair will be more extensive than just peeling off and putting down a new PVC covering. That damage needs to be repaired also. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2020 at 3:25pm
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Well, FR came back with a quote for $3400 to replace the roof. Insurance appraiser said that RV roof damage is amazingly common. Sounds like he's seen it all...pretty interesting chatting with him. First 195 he's seen, so he was pretty curious. Might just drive it to Indiana for repairs as I'm not sure that I completely trust the dealer to know what they're doing as opposed to the factory repair center, based on my previous experience. BTW, both service rep at the dealer and the appraiser said it's a rubber roof. ------------- 2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2020 at 5:12pm
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Yes, it is difficult to tell the difference between rubber/TPM and PVC. They look very similar, but Forest River states that the roof is PVC. See if your insurance agent will cover the cost of transport to the factory also. If so, then you could travel there to pick it up when it is finished. Just be aware that the factory's scheduling might mean that it takes longer than you would like. However, it will be done right.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2020 at 5:27pm
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The settlement would cover my costs of getting the 195 there and back, but FR's transportation quote was too high.
I'm sure you're right about the PVC roof, but I can't find a link where FR States that. ------------- 2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2020 at 8:21pm
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I would at least investigate putting in a claim at the KOA where this happened. They will of course, deny responsibility. It is possible that a lawyer can send them a letter threatening a lawsuit to cover damages, or, your insurance carrier might want to subrogate a claim against the KOA. If you were on any of the main roads or spaces that are made for RV's, it seems to me those areas should not damage an RV. A low hanging branch on the main road or over an RV space should be removed or trimmed before it damages a customer's vehicle. If you somehow drifted off the main road or backed up too far, etc, then yes, it could be considered to be your fault.
------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2020 at 8:40pm
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The one place I found it was in the announcement that was on the Facebook forum. Travis might be able to confirm it. Of course, I would not put it past Forest River to change the material used either.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2020 at 8:29am
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For $3,500 or so in repair costs, it's not economical to consult with or hire a lawyer. Just let the insurance company figure it out. If they think they can get KOA to pay for the cost of repair, they should bear the expense of the legal fees. It would probably just go to inter-company arbitration between your insurer and KOA's, if there was a plausible claim. If you have a dealer repair it, they should do so in conformity with OEM specifications. The insurance company (depending on the language in the policy) is responsible for paying to restore the trailer to it's pre-accident condition, using factory specified roofing materials. If the dealer says they can do it, just make sure they put it in writing. Rather than fretting about what the roofing material is, let the dealer, who already has a relationship with FR, sort that out. From what has been said so far in this thread, they are going to replace the roof membrane, which will of necessity, require them to source the material from FR or their suppliers. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2020 at 4:23pm
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I am sorry about your accident and hope every thing works out OK in getting it repaired. I am curious if having a fiberglass roof how it would of done in the same situation. It is a lesson for everyone like was said in the beginning be careful when trying to park especially when it's dark.
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |