afdds
California
Full Member
Joined: 01/10/2003
View Profile
 Offline
|
I'm now an offical member of the dropped it club.  I'm still crying a river. I haven't even been outside to look at the damage in the daylight.
We were hitching up and talking to the couple where we store the Big Country. Just picked it up from the dealer a few weeks ago. We were still not sure how to hitch and unhitch without really thinking. DH had a pin inserted to hold the brake cable and hitched up with it still in place. We heard the clank noise and I put in drive and let my foot off the brake to get it a little tug. I guess I didn't do this right, told DH I did the tug. So he assumed all was well.
Crushed the truck bed rails and maybe even the side walls. Tailgate is toast. We still have the paper plates on the TV! 
Sock it too me...how much will this cost me? Or a better question how much did it cost you? I think the only damage to the Big Country is the plastic cover to the pin box. Went inside to look in the front closet to see if we could see anything going on with the floor. I can't believe that the BC wouldn't have more damage. Am I missing something? Have you dropped your 5th without damage?
Wish I didn't feel so sick to my stomache!
Debra
F350 Lariat,Crew Cab long bed 4x4 Diesel
Heartland Big Country 3500RL
"Our home is where the Air Force sends us!"
|
DKean
Mays Landing NJ.
Senior Member
Joined: 06/17/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Don't feel bad. I drove an 18 wheeler for 28 years and almost dropped a trailer a lot heaver then a fifth wheel camper. I caught it just in time and the frame rails caught it. Stuff happens. The lesson you learned is price less. That is what insurance is for. Don't let it bother you to much.
|
afdds
California
Full Member
Joined: 01/10/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Thank KDean for trying to cheer me up. DH is thinking of NOT making a claim and just paying for the damage. He is afraid our insurance will go up. I disagree and think we should claim. Why have insurance if you don't claim?
|
Splashers3
Oakville, MD
Full Member
Joined: 06/12/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. the next "insurance policy" you should get is the $250 Blue Ox Bedsaver.....it will take your future fears away.
2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD D/A
Ride Rite Airbags, Trail Air Pin Box, Garmin Nuvi 350,
Blue Ox Bed Saver, TST Tire Monitor
2009 Cedar Creek Silverback, GII, 32 WRL
|
arizonadesertbrat
Where ever the pipeline leads
Senior Member
Joined: 08/20/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
We were packing up in the snow trying to get gone before the heavier stuff moved in, of course the hitch didn't lock and dropped the trailer on the truck, thankfully, there was no damage to the trailer and only minimal to the truck rails.
FYI, you will be surcharged 15% for 3 years on your insurance if you file and the claim is over $1000. If you have a good relationship with your agent, you might get an estimate and go in and visit to see exactly what the bottom line would be to file or not to file.
|
|
|
BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 04/04/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Have not dropped mine. But I did just get an estimate to replace a damaged right rear fender on my '07 F350. ~$2100 just for the one side outer fender. Two estimates (one from Ford dealer, one from an independent) were within $120 of each other.
I have heard (but don't know if it is true) that if you even ask your agent about a possible claim, they make a note of it in your file. Although it would probably not affect your rates unless you actually filed a claim. May only relate to home insurance.
|
Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
Senior Member
Joined: 05/14/2004
View Profile
|
If the truck's bed is badly damaged, there is a way to save quite a bit on replacement. Hundreds of stock OEM pickup beds are removed each year to allow aftermarket "upfitter" custom work beds to be installed. Facilities re-sell those almost brand new beds for a whole lot less than what a dealer purchase would cost you. There is a local yard that has racks filled with these beds waiting to be purchased. Many I saw last time I drove by were Public Works yellow(think checker cab). All you have to do is have it repainted to match your truck and have it installed.
To hopefully prevent the experience you just went through, I do the whole hitch up procedure myself, not letting anyone/anything lose my concentration. I also have marked the locking part of my hitch with reflective paint. I can shine a flashlight at it and insure that the jaw has fully wrapped around the pin. I also do a pull test with the landing legs only about 1" off the ground, good strong tug. My hitch, Reese Signature Series is suppose to prevent drops by not allowing the locking pin to be inserted unless the jaw is fully latched but I still use the flashlight and the pull test.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USNRet.
Wonderful Wife,3 Daughters,2Goldens Gus&Riley
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
'08 F-450 Lariat 4x4
'08 Honda Odyssey EX-L
SunlineF281SR
SeaRay215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community
|
afdds
California
Full Member
Joined: 01/10/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I just called the local Ford and I'm going in for an estimate at 1pm. They said it's usually around 2k-3k depending on the damage.
Should I get the old tailgate repaired and hang on to it? Replacing with a 5th wheel tailgate.
Yep, the Blue OX will be ordered ASAP.
15% ouch! That can be alot when we already have two teen drivers on our policy! And one got her first speeding ticket over the weekend!
|
dogwood36322
Southeast USA
New Member
Joined: 08/03/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I have State Farm insurance and have made claims on my truck and liability when the 5ver hit a van. My rates did not change. $2600 to my truck and about %1500 to the van. Two different claims. So it may depend on who you are insured with and for how long.
|
jimw606
Morehead, Ky.
Senior Member
Joined: 10/23/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I have Ky. Farm Bureau Insurance. Last winter I backed my 5ver into the porch roof. $6,000.00 to the trailer and 850.00 to the porch roof. The whole side had to come off of the 5vr to repair the damaged piece's. Damage was not that bad, as we beat the siding (aluminum) back together and went to Fl. Farm Bureau paid the claim less the deductible. My Insurance did not go up. Jim
|
|
|
