LG_09Roo23SS_RG
NW Alabama (The Shoals)
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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At Joe Wheeler SP in Alabama Sun9/20 thru Monday 9/28. Major major heavy downpours every single day, plus localized flooding.
On the evening of Sun 9/20, a tree limb 3 feet long and about 3 inches diam fell from about 60 feet up off a green pine tree straight down like an arrow shot with velocity into and through the front bunk end top on the 2009 Roo 23SS. The bed was all made up with the travasak and pillows, etc. turned down for later as you will see in photo. Had anyone been in the bed at the time, it would have pierced heart or abdomen, if sitting up in the bed (example reading) through the skull at minimum. Also had homemade (Sportsmen blankets crom Cabellas) PUG covers on and that actually slowed the speed a bit as it had to rip through it. It was horrible and the rain at time so heavy. Fortunately I always carry a big silver tarp "in case someone needs it" and also extra parts like latches,etc. and a couple of the small EternaBond patches, etc. for same reason.
The ranger said it was a rotted limb from the green pine. There was no wind at the time, only the heavy rain soaking the limbs and such.
Rangers and friends held the tarp over while I dried the hole as best as possible while shaking in fear as it was such a close call. We applied a lot of gorilla duct tape at the tear inside and then held up something hard against the inside while the eternabond patch (approx 6x8 inch in size) was applied on the outside. Then gorilla duct tape was put over that overlapping in 2 layers. We dried off the torn "PUG style" cover and repaired it with gorilla tape and awning tape layers, then clipped it back on. For the rest of the night we also clipped on the big silver tarp over the bunkend.
No one was brave enough to sleep in that bed for the night and even though Progressive Insurance (who has been FANTASTIC with this claim, and their prices and all) said to go to the lodge for the night and they would pay for all but we didn't feel comfy leaving the camper totally alone so it was sofa city for one person in the Roo that night. No sleep anyway, crying and all. It was scary.
My testimony is - ETERNABOND patches ARE FANTASTIC!!! GORILLA TAPE IS FANTASTIC!!! PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE IS FANTASTIC!!
I want to post photos of this , it's quite something to see but not sure how to post right here. Do I have to have another posting site and send links to it instead of just inserting the photos in my post?
Thank you.
Oh and the claim has already been settled, the new bunkend ordered and additionally even though we have no leaks so far from our seals they are sending anything from the Forest River kit that is not on our model to the dealer for him to put on free as well. Our converter got zapped later in the week by lightning we think even though we have a $130 surge protector on there and the surge protector company has spoken with the park and with WFCO company and they have worked out who's paying what but no matter what, it's 0 to us. It will take a month for the new bunkend to get in but the new converter is to be here by express later this week or early next. So no real time lost on camping on that.
We have eternabond on all our roof seams already but had never used the small patches - just saw and purchased "in case" and that thing held amazing through the weather that was going on and still is so it's GREAT and everyone should carry at least one for "just incase" for you or a camping neighbor.
Details on how the new bunkend being put on went, the bunkseal if necessary issue, and the new converter.
If you want any info on my experience with Progressive (have the vehicles, boat, house through State Farm but went with Progressive on the Roo for a certain reason) went, let me know. I was surprised how great it was!
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odielovestocamp
Muskoka, Canada
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Joined: 03/29/2007
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That is to bad about your hybrid but thankfully no one was in that bed!!! Hopefully the trailer will be fixed soon and you and your family will get over the fear and then you will be able to share this 'camping story' with all your friends and family and fellow campers.
It would be very cool to see your pictures. Can't wait to see them. And again, so glad everyone is safe and sound. Trailers can be fixed a whole lot easier than us people!!! Happy Camping!!!
2007 Terry Dakota Hybrid
Honda Ridgeline -- 2006, Our dream come true!!!!
Wayne (aka Hackett) and Wendy
and 3 kids that have left the nest but two flew back!!!
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LG_09Roo23SS_RG
NW Alabama (The Shoals)
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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Thanks for the kind thoughts! It still scares us all remembering but mainly because in 30 years of camping in trailers plus more in tents, never had a big skyward issue like this even though have witnessed and heard of others (much worse ones) I would have been in that bed normally at that time on Sun eve except there was a public television special on state parks we were all watching in living area so hadn't gone off to showers, reading in bed,etc. before sleep time. WHEW!!!!!!!
Searching for hints on how to post pictures, it's almost funny looking at the one with the neatly made up and turned down pretty bed and pillows and then there's the limb and all the wet and all the slivers of wood and such in /on it. yucko.
the accident was on sunday night, the 20th. progressive's adjustor came on thursday late afternoon to the statepark for pictures (my request, would have come on the next day if I had been able to have them there) and here it is wednesday not even a week since the adjustor came, and the check arrived today for it. This is first claim with progressive on camper, very very impressed. Even gave me extra for the homemade pug cover! wonder how good their auto,home,etc. coverage is- all our other stuff is with State Farm. have to check into their rates comparisons on the others now just to see I think.
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drenjoey
Poland Spring, Maine
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Joined: 06/25/2008
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Here's how to upload pictures:
1- You have to register at one of the many sites where you can upload
your pictures (Webshots, Photobucket, etc etc). I personally use
Photobucket which is simple and easy, and FREE. Upload your
pictures and in the little box below, make sure they are
480 x 640 ( the 480 doesn't matter but the 640 does)
2- Once your pictures are uploaded on the photo site, you will need to open 2 windows. The photo site window and the forum window.
3- Go at the bottom of the forum, and click (reply to topic). Write
your message and then click on the little yellow envelope with the
mountains at the top. That should pop up a little window.
4- Go to the Photobucket window and click on the picture you want to
transfer (that should make the picture bigger). Right click on
the picture and go to PROPERTIES. Click 3 times on the URL to
highlite it (make sure you click 3 times) and click COPY.
5- Go back to the forum and in the popup window paste what you copied
on the first line (URL line). Forget about the height, but where
it says WIDTH, write 640, and click FINISHED.
6- Repeat the procedures if you have more pictures
You can use other programs beside Photobucket and I'm pretty sure they all work the same way, But that's the one I use and that's how that program works. If there's any question, send me a message and I'll be more than happy to help you.
Dre (Drenjoey)
Dre and Joey
2004 Travelstar 21SSO
Mercury Mountaineer
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bamaram2002
Central Alabama
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Joined: 05/31/2006
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Over labor day weekend while at Prairie Creek CG in Lowndes County, our campsite neighbors had a very similar situation with a limb pierce through their awning while they were sitting under it. The limb just barely grazed the arm of the DIL. Scary!
Mike, Michele, Hannah (13) and Elijah (10)
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 QuadCab
2003 KZ Coyote 23CT
Family Travel Photo Album
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sjones6335
Dracut, MA
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Joined: 04/20/2009
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Good Sam RV Club
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Wow happy to hear you are all ok. I can't imagine what that was like. I guess this is good reminder to always look up at the trees when you pick a site. I know I will for now on. Those pics must be quit the site I hope you get to post them soon. Photobucket is so easy to use, good luck.
2005 Chevy Trailblazer LT
2010 Rockwood Roo 19
PCMforless & Airaid Intake
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jmcanzo
Michigan
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Joined: 08/31/2007
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progressive was great for me when I hit another trailer and ripped off my and his awning... It happened of Friday evening, Progressive came to my house Monday afternoon. Took trailer to dealer Tuesday, Dealer had check Weds!
Not sure what happened with the other guy as my auto insurance had to cover that...
08 GMC Sierra 1500
2007 K-Z Coyote 23CT
John
Amanda
Alyssa
SAVE THE ASH TREES !DO NOT BRING FIREWOOD Please buy locally
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LG_09Roo23SS_RG
NW Alabama (The Shoals)
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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We did check the trees, always do , the issue was the rain was downpouring for days before we got there and then continued and those tall (limbs all cut off lower areas) green pines soak that water and just get heavy. The ranger did put "rotted" on the report but ultimately it's "an act of nature" and under comprehensive. I love having trees at the site, but to be honest I think RIGHT AT the sites, maybe they need to trim down the reallllly tall like this with no lower branches things esp. pines, and let lower ones fill in. Maybe not.
Thanks for the photo posting directions , will work on that and hopefully have pics of damage plus site up tomorrow.
Glad someone else had a good exp with Progressive, good to hear
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LG_09Roo23SS_RG
NW Alabama (The Shoals)
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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This is the inside and you can see how the bed was ready, and up on the top where the entry was and when it landed on the travasak (with memory pad under as well) it just "thud". More pictures on way.
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LG_09Roo23SS_RG
NW Alabama (The Shoals)
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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