Is this damage worth reporting to Insurance?

[lacofdfireman]

So if you have ready of my last posts on here you know we were looking to tow our Jeep Cherokee behind our Motorhome. Well we had both a Failure and a success. First off we were heading to California and after owning a Class A for almost 5 years figured it was time to pull something behind so when we got to the RV Park we weren't tied to the Motorhome. Well we got it all figured out and bought my Blue Ox Towbar, Blue Ox Aventa 2 tow bars, Safety Chains, and 7way to 4 way plug. Also bought a Ready Brake to install in the Cherokee. Everything was great. I installed it all and took it around the block a few times and everything worked well. 50 miles into the trip I hear a clank and I look over at the Backup monitor and see sparks flying all over the tow vehicle. I though we had a brake fire or something. We pulled off the freeway and the Jeep was against the side of the Motorhome and the Hitch is still attached to the Jeep. The receiver either broke the Hitch Pin or it came unlatched somehow. I now for a fact that it was put in right as I checked it twice. Weird thing is before we left I had looked at this extra hitch pin sitting on my garage floor like 4 different times as I passed it loading stuff into the Motorhome and on the last one I thought I should just throw this in with my tools. Good thing we did as we would have not been able to tow without it.

We got everything hooked back up and headed back down the road without incident the rest of the trip. So I guess that's our success part. Lesson learned was I was glad I bought the extra weight Blue Ox safety chains as they kept our Cherokee with us instead of breaking and sending the cherokee off into the desert or worse another vehicle. I have been towing for 20 plus years with RV's Trucks etc including being an OTR Truck driver for 5 years without incident. Glad this one turned out without any further damage than what happened.

So now I need to decide if the damage is enough to warrant an insurance claim or not. I don't want to if I don't have to but I don't know how to fix fiberglass either. So what do you think about this damage? Does it warrant an insurance claim? Photo's below.









Damage is basically all the rear cap of the Motorhome. No damage to the compartment in front of damage. Looks like just a small area would need to be replaced or fixed and then the trim piece... But I'm not sure what would be involved.

Jeep Damage

[prstlk]

I had simular damage and the repair was 10K. That's why we have insurance with 500 deductible. If you don't fix it it will screw up your resale value down the road.

[soren]

Winnipeg wrote:
I think byrdr1 gives good advice, get an estimate and then decide if it is worth a claim. I also tend to agree with JohnnyG1 - it looks like $10k of damage.

But, hitch pins do not break, and they don't come apart without some help. Even if you forgot to put the little keeper pin into the main pin, it would take a long time to fall out. Maybe someone was messing with you (it happens), did you stop for gas between hook-up and incident?

In future, try using locking pins.

Locking pins? You mean the locking pin the OP posted a picture of? The one he used? The one that failed? Got it. Thanks for the advice.

[Bumpyroad]

Winnipeg wrote:
I think byrdr1 gives good advice, get an estimate and then decide if it is worth a claim. I also tend to agree with JohnnyG1 - it looks like $10k of damage. .

you might still be put on the insurance companies "naughty" list if you contact them.
bumpy

[Winnipeg]

I think byrdr1 gives good advice, get an estimate and then decide if it is worth a claim. I also tend to agree with JohnnyG1 - it looks like $10k of damage.

But, hitch pins do not break, and they don't come apart without some help. Even if you forgot to put the little keeper pin into the main pin, it would take a long time to fall out. Maybe someone was messing with you (it happens), did you stop for gas between hook-up and incident?

In future, try using locking pins.

[lacofdfireman]

holstein13 wrote:

ArchHoagland wrote:

holstein13 wrote:

lacofdfireman wrote:
How about a question for you all. What type of receiver hitch pin do you use?

I use the standard thick bent hitch pin with a cotter pin holding it in on the end. It's pretty foolproof.

Do you really need a locking hitch pin? I think the odds of someone stealing your tow bar are pretty slim.

I use a locking one mainly to prevent some kid from pulling it out as a joke. Although I do have a $1,000 invested in the towbar.

That reminds me. I have an extra step in my setup routine. I put the toad in reverse and back up until the tow bar arms are fully extended (at least with one arm). In addition to preventing the toad from veering off in one direction when I take off, that also tests if the tow bar is secure in the hitch receiver. I put it back in neutral after I've backed up.

It's not like the hitch pin as never in. I challenge any of you to hook a Jeep to the back of your Motorhome and drive 50 plus miles without the receiver hitch pin in and see if it can stay in. Wouldn't happen. The moment yo pulled even the slightest in line the receiver hitch would immediately come out with no pin. Putting my Jeep in reverse would have done nothing in this case. But yes that's a good idea but my pin was in. I do think I will add that to my routine though.

[holstein13]

ArchHoagland wrote:

holstein13 wrote:

lacofdfireman wrote:
How about a question for you all. What type of receiver hitch pin do you use?

I use the standard thick bent hitch pin with a cotter pin holding it in on the end. It's pretty foolproof.

Do you really need a locking hitch pin? I think the odds of someone stealing your tow bar are pretty slim.

I use a locking one mainly to prevent some kid from pulling it out as a joke. Although I do have a $1,000 invested in the towbar.

That reminds me. I have an extra step in my setup routine. I put the toad in reverse and back up until the tow bar arms are fully extended (at least with one arm). In addition to preventing the toad from veering off in one direction when I take off, that also tests if the tow bar is secure in the hitch receiver. I put it back in neutral after I've backed up.

[ArchHoagland]

holstein13 wrote:

lacofdfireman wrote:
How about a question for you all. What type of receiver hitch pin do you use?

I use the standard thick bent hitch pin with a cotter pin holding it in on the end. It's pretty foolproof.

Do you really need a locking hitch pin? I think the odds of someone stealing your tow bar are pretty slim.

I use a locking one mainly to prevent some kid from pulling it out as a joke. Although I do have a $1,000 invested in the towbar.

[holstein13]

[Bumpyroad]

holstein13 wrote:


Do you really need a locking hitch pin? I think the odds of someone stealing your tow bar are pretty slim.

a $500 blue ox tow bar hanging on the rear of a motorhome would make a quick and easy "profit". now when it is locked to the toad no danger.
bumpy

[ArchHoagland]

My receiver hitch pin lock.

[holstein13]

lacofdfireman wrote:
How about a question for you all. What type of receiver hitch pin do you use?

I use the standard thick bent hitch pin with a cotter pin holding it in on the end. It's pretty foolproof.

Do you really need a locking hitch pin? I think the odds of someone stealing your tow bar are pretty slim.

[Executive45]

My apologies for the ERROR in my post. Yes, I was referring to the ReadySTOP, and extra safety feature. Unfortunately, Night Shift Auto refers to the ReadyBRAKE and the READYBRUTE as the same when they are not. Too many "ready"s....:).

The key type lock can become disengaged if it's not locked completely even though it LOOKS like it is. The small collar that locks it in place is, IMHO not large enough. The lock is a good idea but I'd like to see the added protection of a pin. Stay away from the cheap Chinese pins....Dennis

[Gjac]

OP asked What type of receiver hitch pin do you use? I use an L pin that I drilled a hole in the end and installed a pad lock. I take it off once a year when I store the tow bar if not I spray WD-40 into the look to keep it working. I have seen over the years that locks may close but not actually lock when they are exposed to rain and weather.

[rgatijnet1]

I have had good luck using this type of product to keep my hitch from bouncing as I go down the highway. What it does is fit around the receiver and ReadyBrake, or Tow bar, and then when tightened, it eliminates any up and down or side to side movement between the two pieces. Hitch stabilizer
This movement not only quiets the rattling between the two parts but it also could serve as a back up if the hitch pin falls out.