RIP, Amerilite.

[JaredWPhillips]

Our Gulfstream Amerilite 21MB was marked off today as "totalled" and State Farm gave me the check.

On our last big trip, going across Kansas, we hit a big "dip" (think drainage ditch) on the outskirts of a small Kansas town on a state road. There were no signs, no warning of any type. Hit it going about 40MPH. Truck and trailer jumped and slammed down. In my rear-view mirror I saw the front of the trailer detach itself from the frame, and slam down, buckling out the siding and leaving a trail of wood chips in the road. Likewise, the bicycle rack on the back took a beating against the road, and pulled out the back wall enough to separate it from the tub, sink and interior walls.
We stopped at an RV dealer in Dodge City and purchased some wide RV bonding tape, and taped up the walls and seams outside to hold it together and keep out water for the remainder of the trip. Got home and filed the claim. It was totaled of course.

After paying off the bank note, I had $1600 and some change left over, which paid off our last credit card debt.

Goodbye to our TT, but now debt-free (except for vehicle and house) we can get something better next year.

[broark01]

Wow,heck of an experience. I had a trailer (boat) separate from the vehicle hitting a similar dip in the road. The saving grace was the trailer safety chains, having a front mounted trailer spare (that is what hit the road and bounced keeping the tongue from digging in) and we were only going 20 MPH.. The trailer hitch adjustment nut that adjusts diameter around the ball was too loose. Managed to get to the side of the road with the oly damage being a flat spot on the spare.

[JaredWPhillips]

I took a few after I had it beat back in shape and taped together, so you won't be able to see too much. However they are still on the wife's camera so I'll have to get them up tonight or tomorrow.

[Mocoondo]

Any photos of this impressive sounding modification to your trailer?

[JaredWPhillips]

Yes, they did. The towing company just showed up this evening to pick it up. Kind of a sad moment. Had great memories with that camper.

On the plus side, I'm not stuck with a very broke camper, the debt is paid off, and the extra money the total settlement brought paid off our last credit card. Great feeling.

[Winged_One]

JaredWPhillips wrote:
Honestly, I didn't do a few things that I should have. I don't remember the town, and I didn't get a police report. I was so mad about it I just hammered stuff back together with a mallet and drove until we could find a place to stop and sleep.

Now I regret not doing much more. PD report, calls to DOT, complaints to local town.

Although I don't know the entire story, it sounds like the insurance company treated you ok, pretty good? No PD report, etc. they can be real pains if you don't follow all their rules.

Glad it worked out for you.

[Passin_Thru]

I pulled a trailer from CN border crossing at Monroe to NYC for a guy and the Border Patrol said they did'nt think I'd make it. By the time I got there the front end had collapsed the same way. I threw a strap over it and hauled it down to him.

[JaredWPhillips]

By this time next year I hope to be in a 2500 or 3500 Dodge/Cummins with a moderate-sized toyhauler.

[fla-gypsy]

Sad but glad no one was injured. Go get a new one and have fun

[JaredWPhillips]

Honestly, I didn't do a few things that I should have. I don't remember the town, and I didn't get a police report. I was so mad about it I just hammered stuff back together with a mallet and drove until we could find a place to stop and sleep.

Now I regret not doing much more. PD report, calls to DOT, complaints to local town.

[2oldman]

Yikes. Did you mention this oversight to the Kansas DOT?