Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

August 04, 2021, 11:39:56 am

Why we love LAZY DAZE so much

I-40 westbound at MM 225 just outside of Greensboro, NC.
 
On our latest trip in Maeve we became the meat in an 18-wheeler sandwich.  Driving along at 63 mph in the center lane, an 18-wheeler on our right passed us and then lurched over into our lane clipping our front awning(Dometic) arm and PS mirror and forcing us to swerve into the left hand lane where the other 18-wheeler struck us and caused most of her injuries.  After coming to a stop in the median area, me, my wife, and our dog where shaken but OK.  We called 911 and awaited the PD.
 Fire arrived, checked on injuries, and the went to work trying to stem the LP gas leak at the tank(she was 2/3 full).  Maeve had incurred serious contusions, abrasions and lacerations and some potentially serious LP system damage, but was still able to be driven.  Her injuries consisted of PS forward arm of the Dometic  awning mangled and stick out from the couch approximately 3-4 ft, the PS mirror had external abrasions and was pushed forward towards the front fender. On the DS,  she incurred significant tire rubs in two places, a significant buckling and separation of her outer skin in the area of the bathroom, a large chunk of the lower fiberglass skirt and compartment door was removed at the LP gas tank.  The tank had its on/off valve handle and connector in front of the regulators sheared off. The DS cab step had been ripped off. The dinette window was shattered but still held in its frame. Thankfully, she had no damage to her chassis.
 The GFD worked diligently for 2-3 hours to temporarily stem the flow of LP gas so we could move.  GPD took our information and were able to get info from the truck driver that had struck our DS and had stopped 1/4 mile west.  He verified he saw the other truck force us into his lane but could not provide any identifying info on it.  That truck never stopped.  With the LP gas flow temporarily stopped we were escorted by GFD HAZMAT Team to a local LP gas company where a brass plug was installed to stop the flow of gas. We were not charged for the service by the Amerigas Company.  I secured the mangled awning arm with zip ties and duct tape and applied tape to the inner and outer window so it wouldn't fall out.
 With the LP gas safely contained, we proceeded to return home.  At the first available rest stop we surveyed the damage to the interior.  the inner bathroom wall behind the toilet had buckled, the wall separating the bathroom and kitchen had been pushed in towards the center of the coach approximately 2-3 inches. This caused buckling of the lower bathroom cabinet door and the frame of the bathroom door was slightly displaced. The pantry handle was sheared off by the swinging bathroom door.  We made it home without further incident.
 We currently are awaiting an adjuster to come and survey the damage.  Sadly with the age and mileage on Maeve (2001 30 TB with 104k miles) I fear she will be totaled.  I am not confident that there is a repair facility in our area that would be able to repair her with the same quality as she was built with.  If this had been SOB how significant would the damage had been? IMO this is proof of the quality and durability of these wonderful MHs.  So we wait to learn her fate.

If anyone is has had collision work done on their coach, let me know how it went.

Thanks for listening...

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #2 – August 04, 2021, 11:50:31 am

Very sorry for your *terrible* experience!

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #4 – August 04, 2021, 12:18:27 pm

No words can express my sorrow for your accident and injuries. While LD’s are one of the most structurally sound Class C RV’s made, there are many hazards on the road that can take even the best rigs down.

Thank God you are all safe. You were blessed by your skills and quick wit. So vey sorry this has happened to you.

Kent

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #6 – August 04, 2021, 12:35:13 pm

Art & Bonnie, I'm so sorry to hear about this! What a horrifying experience. I'm just glad that you two and your dog were OK.

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #8 – August 04, 2021, 02:14:58 pm

What a terrifying ordeal!   Thank Goodness everyone is physically okay.   The emotional side might take awhile.  I’ve unkind thoughts about the truck driver who caused this accident.   Best wishes!

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #10 – August 04, 2021, 02:31:07 pm

I'm so very sorry that you had this horrible experience.  The "good news" is that everyone is safe.  Once, many years ago while driving in Arkansas a semi "clipped" my driver's side rear quarter panel while I was driving my car in the right lane on the highway.  He tried to make me believe it was my fault (before the police arrived) and said I should be watching out for semi trucks while driving.  The officer who arrived promptly issued him a ticket...

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #12 – August 04, 2021, 03:07:17 pm

So glad you walked or drove away from this. Lesser rigs would have fallen apart with the impacts.
With so much damage, it will be totaled. Odds are LD wouldn't repair it, it's too old.  They are getting picky about what they work on.

Big rigs, I hate driving around them. We almost were forced into the wall three summers ago, heading south on I-5, up the grade from Ashland Oregon. The trucks were moving from lane to lane to avoid slower trucks and we got caught in the middle of this ballet and had nowhere to go except to the side when a truck move sideways into our lane, we missed the K-rail by a good inch or so.
Not so good for the heart.

Larry

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #14 – August 04, 2021, 04:56:46 pm

Yikes, and you were able to continue home - amazing.

So glad you guys are ok, just a lot shaken up.

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #16 – August 04, 2021, 05:23:06 pm

Wow! My heart is breaking 💔🚐❤️‍🩹 for you. I’m happy you, wife and pet are doing well after a heart wrenching  experience.

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #18 – August 05, 2021, 06:37:06 pm

This is soo scarey...I’m grateful the peeps and pup are alive and well!

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #20 – August 05, 2021, 07:45:23 pm

Sorry to learn of your truck accident.  We are glad everyone is OK.  Several years ago while turning into a fuel stop, a tractor trailer made an illegal "U" turn and clipped the front end of our LD.  The TT driver stopped immediately and admitted he was wrong.  I called the Mothership and talked with Vince, who was still there at the time.  When I asked specifically about the repairs, he said the best outcome would be if we could take the LD to them to fix.  We made an appointment for the repairs, and the best they could do was 4 months out.  Vince cautioned me that LD would only use Original Factory parts, not some cheap stuff, and that our insurance might not be willing to pay the higher cost.  I volunteered to pay the difference if necessary.  Four months later, the job was done and done right.  No one would be able to tell the LD was struck a glancing blow by a big rig.

We sincerely hope that your outcome is as good as our outcome.  Best wishes, Bob

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #22 – August 22, 2021, 12:01:24 pm

If you want to keep your coach my suggestion would be to get it to the LD factory for an assessment and possible repair. I'm no expert but it does look repairable to me. Much of the lower damage is to fiberglass parts and one thing about wood framing is that it is generally repairable by opening access to it and replacing damaged wood. What looks difficult or impossible to you (or an adjuster) might not to LD. If nothing else I'd certainly want LD to look at some photos and give me feedback.

I don't believe that your insurance company can dictate the place of repair. And due to the unique construction of LD motorhomes you have a strong argument that it should be repaired at the factory. So, since it appears to be drivable I'd clean it out and hit the road to LD. You could be there in less than a week. That would allow LD to be involved in the negotiations with your insurance adjuster, likely leading to a more accurate settlement. Spend a few days there as necessary to work things out, then fly home.

At that point you and LD could make decisions together. If the coach is totaled (i.e. replacement value less than repair cost) and you don't want it anymore it can be retrieved and disposed of by your insurer from the LD factory just as easily as from your home. If LD is willing to repair and you're OK with the cost perhaps you could leave it on the LD back lot until they can get to it, then retrieve it when it is done. If not, arrange other storage nearby. If nothing can be worked out with regard to repair but you still want it then fly back out and drive it home.

I believe that LD's concern about repairing older coaches is that the cost of repair might exceed the value of the coach and that LD might get stuck with the consequences of that. "OK, I'm not paying, just keep my coach." You would improve your odds of getting them to repair it by dealing with that concern up front. Give them your insurance check up front and a cash deposit for whatever the additional estimated cost is. Then perhaps add to that deposit to cover contingencies or reach an agreement that you will cover or at least consider additional payments before any needed additional unanticipated work is done. I realize that this is contrary to normal auto repair protocols, where you pay when done, but if you want LD to say YES and not NO you need to respect and deal with their concerns.

Yes, it is quite possible that the total cost of this will be more than your LD is worth. But you have to weigh that against its ultimate value to you. Do you want to search or wait for a replacement? Are you willing to live with some other brand? Are you willing to give up RVing? I personally don't agree with the notion that an older vehicle is not worth repairing when the costs of repair start to exceed its value. That has to do with not just its market value but also its value to you, the cost of replacing it, likely with something newer and more expensive, and perhaps its uniqueness, which can mean it is not really replaceable at all.

Good luck.

Re: Our adventure comes to an abrupt end...

Reply #24 – August 24, 2021, 03:34:35 pm

Just to update you all,
  We are still waiting on the insurance company to decide on what they are willing to do.  So far not a pleasent time.  Sadly estimated repair costs are approaching 75% of the FMV and we may face Maeve being totalled. 
 I have touched base with Todd at the factory and he has been quite helpful.  I provided him with pics and a list of parts needed, he reviewed both and provided a list of parts and shipping costs he felt were appropriate.  Sadly, with the internal structure damage, she would have to be repaired on the "build" line, and we know how far behind they are. 
 So we wait for the insurance company to make their decision and then plan accordingly. 
Based on my discussions with Todd, I feel that much if not all of the repairs we can do, paint would have to be done by someone else. 
Thank you all for the support...