Hello,

Some may know of our accident in May of this year, others may not but there is a post in the Fleetwood Owners section.

Frame was bent into the gas tank and the insurance company is saying it can be fixed for about $3K. There's another $estimated $50K in damages throughout the coach.

Can the frame be fixed and the motorhome be the same? Slide on the opposite side of the accident was cracked they hit us so hard. It was brand new, only 6 weeks old.

Thanks, just wondering about the frame issue right now. Still hoping it's totalled but time will tell.

A frame can be straightened but will never have the structural integrity (strength) it had before. I would stand firm that it cannot be repaired “same as new”. Being that the frame protects the fuel cell this is also a safety issue. If it must be repaired the insurance owes you the deprecation in value. This is = to the amount you would loose if you were to sell the unit with the record of damage now associated with its title.

I just read your post under Fleetwood. I am no expert on frame damage. But from what damage you indicated in your other post, I just can not see any solution here except for a complete replacement of this coach. There is just no way they will get this one right for you.
Have you involved any legal assistance yet? It might be some realy good money spent!!
Mike

quote:

Originally posted by ISLAPP:
I just read your post under Fleetwood. I am no expert on frame damage. But from what damage you indicated in your other post, I just can not see any solution here except for a complete replacement of this coach. There is just no way they will get this one right for you.
Have you involved any legal assistance yet? It might be some realy good money spent!!
Mike

Absolutely agree! From your description of the coach, it sounds like its' totaled. Considering that you've lost the use of your coach, and the resultant financial burden(ongoing payments, insurance, taxes?, loss of value, etc.) clearly due to the negligence of the other driver, he/she(&insurance co.) should be held liable. You really do need to seek legal representation. It's not likely you'll be able to negotiate reasonable compensation on your own. The insurance co. will likely just offer the minimum of repairing your coach, and may offer a token $ amount to cover minor expenses, none of which will adequately compensate you for your actual expenses now and in the future, as a result of this accident.

Just a thiought before you go the route of "legal representation". Ask the insurance company if ALL the parts they are quoting for repairs are from the original equipment manufacturers.

I would bet most of the parts prices quoted by the insurance company are for aftermarket parts. If you make them requote with only OEM parts and prices I'm guessing the price will increase by 30% to 50%.

If the coach is only 6 weeks old there shouldn't be any parts that have depreciated and the full chassis and coach manufacturers warranties are still in place. It has been my experience that neither the chassis or coach manufacturer will have anything to do with aftermarket parts if they are installed.

They will probably continue to warranty the replacement parts that are OEM but even then if there are problems in the future there is a clause in the warranty that mentions there will be no coverage for abuse or damage caused by accidents.