Found a new FW at a dealership that has some cosmetic hail damage. Mostly on the metal skirt below the fiberglass wall and a few dimples on the aluminum corner piece, underneath the roof membrane. I was told that all the vents and skylights survived intact and there were no holes in the membrane. I'm really about 1-2 years away from buying, and it's not 100% what I was looking for, but the price on this is so good that it's hard not to jump on it. Comments?Lyle

It sounds like a good 5th wheel to start with.

if the hail was strong enough to damage aluminum i'd be concerned of roof damage. You wouldn't know if you have roof problems until you had roof problems. Dealer could have replaced plastic vent covers

I was told by an insurance adjuster, that the roof membrane damage from hail is very hard to see. He said the roof edges, right where it rolls over the roof, is the place to look.You are not new to RVing, so I would think that you could trust your gut feeling on this type of purchase. You know if you will be happy/satisfied, if not getting just the one you want, due to it being a great deal.Me, I'm just too fussy. I would feel better to pay more, for just what I want, with no damage.Jerry

shadoow wrote:if the hail was strong enough to damage aluminum i'd be concerned of roof damage. You wouldn't know if you have roof problems until you had roof problems. Dealer could have replaced plastic vent coversThey're saying that no covers/skylights were replaced. Probably the 2nd think I asked, after condition of the membrane.Lyle

MFL wrote:I was told by an insurance adjuster, that the roof membrane damage from hail is very hard to see. He said the roof edges, right where it rolls over the roof, is the place to look.You are not new to RVing, so I would think that you could trust your gut feeling on this type of purchase. You know if you will be happy/satisfied, if not getting just the one you want, due to it being a great deal.Me, I'm just too fussy. I would feel better to pay more, for just what I want, with no damage.JerryI know that you mean, Jerry, but if I could talk 'em down another 1-2k, then bring it home and immediately put a good coat of roll-on roofing... :-) Damn this is tempting...Lyle

Buying a new FW with slight hail damage | Good Sam Community

kennethwooster
Explorer
Sep 25, 2014
I would remember a new roof can run 5000.00 bucks. Usually the roof will look perfect, but the wood membrane will have dents that will cause failures later on. I've had this happen once, and I could see no damage, but insurance paid for all new plywood as well as rubber. Just be careful, as you don't want future problems.
KSadler1
Explorer
Sep 24, 2014
laknox wrote:
I'm really about 1-2 years away from buying, and it's not 100% what I was looking for, but the price on this is so good that it's hard not to jump on it. Comments? Lyle

The only advice I'd give you is that if it's not exactly what you want, you won't be satisfied with it down the road. If you're a year or 2 away from buying anyway, be patient and keep looking. Like someone else said, you might find what you want for less money and no damage. And I wouldn't trust anything the sales people are telling you. They have nothing to lose.....
laknox
Nomad
Sep 24, 2014
Swamp Man wrote:
There isn't any such thing as a free lunch. Something is wrong somewhere. When I hear the aluminum is dented but not one of the plastic domes or vent covers are damaged the alarm bell starts ringing in my head. Run the VIN through several companies that provide information on vehicles such as collision damage, totaled, salvage, etc. I would ask how many other units were damaged in that hail storm. Never seen a hail storm only hit one trailer on a dealer's lot.

No, there are many RVs on their lot that were hit, the tin-sides the worst, of course. Given that this is a pretty fresh coach, the vents and skylights haven't had much time to get brittle, so it's perfectly conceivable that none were damaged. Again, that was the 2nd question I asked. Vents would be easy, since you just have to replace the lid without pulling the base; the skylights would concern me a lot more.

Lyle
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Sep 24, 2014
laknox wrote:
darsben wrote:
If you are not getting over 30% off then it is not a good deal. The thinking is that negotiating should get at least 25% off MSRP on a pristine unit.
Where was there hail recently? Is this a 2014 model?

It's a 2015 MY coach. Price is nearly 40%.

Lyle

Call or get on the Internet and contact other dealers across the USA.
Find out what an *identical* brand, floor plan, and options will cost if you order it - or off their lot.

Of course, DON'T mention the "hail sale" unit you are considering -
you're just shopping for the best price - and willing to travel to get it.

Should give you a pretty good idea of just HOW good the price is.

BTW - you might even find a new "no damage" unit you like at a good or great price!

~
john_bet
Explorer II
Sep 24, 2014
Two years ago in June we had a hail storm here at the house that did several thousands in damages to the car and truck to include broken windshields but no damage to the 5er. The 5th was 7 years old at the time and we still have no roof problems.
Shadow_Grey
Explorer
Sep 24, 2014
laknox wrote:
darsben wrote:
If you are not getting over 30% off then it is not a good deal. The thinking is that negotiating should get at least 25% off MSRP on a pristine unit.
Where was there hail recently? Is this a 2014 model?

It's a 2015 MY coach. Price is nearly 40%.

Lyle

I agree.

We bought our Cougar and my dad bought his 2013 Montana new in 2012 at 40% off MSRP. With any damage it should be easily be over 50% off or maybe even more and have the full factory warrantee.
laknox
Nomad
Sep 24, 2014
SDcampowneroperator wrote:
The seller has been compensated for the hail damage. The vin for payment iis recorded. do your due diligence , talk to your insurance agent.
This unit has been insurance paid off on hail damage to the dealer, there will not be another hail claim allowed to the same areas damaged. Its VIN # goes with it everywhere.
Run Away, or buy Smart.

I don't know those details, but the gentleman I spoke with said that title would be clear and there would be no issues with either the title or insurance. From the pics I have, the damage appears to be light enough that they may just be blowing it out, move on, and turn the cash into a new unit.

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Sep 24, 2014
darsben wrote:
If you are not getting over 30% off then it is not a good deal. The thinking is that negotiating should get at least 25% off MSRP on a pristine unit.
Where was there hail recently? Is this a 2014 model?

It's a 2015 MY coach. Price is nearly 40%.

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Sep 24, 2014
Me Again wrote:
Is the fact they they are not fixing the damage to get a higher amount for it telling.

Is the title branded as totaled? Are you buying it from their insurance company? Chris

No; would buy from the dealer. Clean title, AFAIK. It's listed as a "Hail Sale". I have some pics of the damage, and it's mostly pretty light. My Civic has worse damage from a hail storm here in AZ several years ago. :-)

Lyle
bgum
Explorer
Sep 24, 2014
Buy at best price you can then get the roof Rhino lined or whatever they are useing now..

Forum Discussion

Buying a new FW with slight hail damage

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

slight shock

slight vibration on acceleration

Slight mold smell in 5er ???

Storm damage

parking on a slight driveway