I am totally disgusted with myself and feel sick (update post)

RCtime · 02-29-2008, 02:46 PM

I pulled my journey out today and gave her a bath, roof and everything. While backing in to my narrow covered enclosure I hit the door, which I should have opened wider. It messed up the rear back facia that it just under the opening grill. Put a gauge and it all popped loose. I can straighten the bracket and rescrew it back, the portion that wraps up to the drivers side compartment, but it has popped all the glued in brackets that suppoert it along the rear.
Very little visible damage, but the whole back facia under the opening grill is now not attatched. I can see where all these glued in supports have popped the glue joint.
I want to whack myself with a stick. Why didnt I just stop 1 more time and walk back for another look. dumb, dumb, dumb.
I sure do feel bad right now.

RCtime · 02-29-2008, 02:46 PM

I pulled my journey out today and gave her a bath, roof and everything. While backing in to my narrow covered enclosure I hit the door, which I should have opened wider. It messed up the rear back facia that it just under the opening grill. Put a gauge and it all popped loose. I can straighten the bracket and rescrew it back, the portion that wraps up to the drivers side compartment, but it has popped all the glued in brackets that suppoert it along the rear.
Very little visible damage, but the whole back facia under the opening grill is now not attatched. I can see where all these glued in supports have popped the glue joint.
I want to whack myself with a stick. Why didnt I just stop 1 more time and walk back for another look. dumb, dumb, dumb.
I sure do feel bad right now.

Route 66 · 02-29-2008, 02:54 PM

Bummer.

Ron, if it's any consolation, there are only two types of RVers.

Those of us that have done dumb things..............and those who won't admit it.

RoadRohrers · 02-29-2008, 03:00 PM

Ditto to Route 66. I think I have done most stupid things. The only consolation is as the unit gets older many of those marks have good memories attached.

So what if I backed into a pole. Wasn't it incredible to see 200+ buffalo amble through the campground at Teddy Roosevelt NP.

Smile and have a great time.

Galena · 02-29-2008, 03:17 PM

If it makes you feel any better, my insurance company just spent $7,500 because I was in a hurry and backed into an crepe myrtle "bush" before Christmas. My lesson learned is to watch both mirrors and the rear end camera, and still get out and check as I back up!

Duner · 02-29-2008, 03:51 PM

Ron, maybe it's not so bad as it seems....

If it's not very visible form the outside, then that's real good. You should be able to repair the inside yourself with 2 part epoxy, or maybe get somebody that can apply figerglass over those broken glue joints.

Speaking from 1st hand experience, usually it's not so bad once you get past the emotional stage and can start thinking rationally.

Good luck,
Bill

Fakrwee · 02-29-2008, 03:55 PM

Ron I feel your pain.

So what if I was making a tight turn between 2 buildings and the MH wouldn't move when I gave it gas. The edge of one building was punched into the awning cover. AARRRGGHHH Now I get out and luck around and UP.

Nathan Focht · 02-29-2008, 04:29 PM

I have not damaged this coach yet but I had a two for one a few years ago.

I was backing into the front yard (drive too small) to load my coach for a trip. I was concerned with a fence post on the nose and FORGOT THE HOUSE. Yep, backed the coach right into the windows in the living room. So, not only did I damage the rear, lights, ladder, etc but I also smashed two large windows and trim.

Oh yeah, now I cannot leave the house so it ruined the trip!

Thudman · 02-29-2008, 05:12 PM

If there are any mistakes left, by all means, please point me to them. I've already made nearly all of them and don't want to miss any.

And as dark as it is today, the sun will rise tomorrow.

Thudman

quikduk · 02-29-2008, 06:04 PM

Lets see, if I had been paying attention when we started on our last trip, I would have sprung for the two pairs of awning security straps...for a measly $20 and checked the aluminum covers.

Now I have to spend around $600 and put new acrylic fabric on my awning and slide topper myself or it will mushroom up to $1000.

notslo · 02-29-2008, 07:05 PM

On my journey 36 I was backing sharp and caught the front facia and pulled it out about 2". It has lifted out from the left side all the way to the centre.
After I almost shot myself and was just about sick. The supports had broken loose where the green expoxy was. I pulled everything apart (there is some screws that are underneath some stick on trim)and set it all back in place and glued it with "pro form PF7779 pliogrip" made by Ashland Chemical. It went all went back together and although I know where it is I don't think anyone else can tell. I have just driven 5000 miles with very rough roads thru Boise ID and Seattle and the glue is all still holding up. I was told it was the same as many OEM's use. Hope this helps.

Richard 34A · 02-29-2008, 10:25 PM

Alright; as long at we're admitting a few mistakes, where's the photo's? Come on everybody, let's see the good stuff! We should be able to make this a really long thread...

FrontRangeRVer · 03-01-2008, 01:21 AM

I've owned 5 Class A's, and I've bashed 4 of 'em against something! I've found that the faster you repair the damage, the sooner you will forget you are a doofus.

ichn2go · 03-01-2008, 02:18 AM

Those who have not dented, do not back up.

Learned the hard way, it pays to have a spotter when backing..
Often times you can find a Auto Body Repair Shop, that works on motor homes.
My RV dealer wanted 2500. for repairs after I told him I needed his help, cause I was not going to report it to my Insurance Company.
The Auto place charged 1500. They did a great job.

Ask a reputable shope who does Rv work in your area...Good Luck

Frankie · 03-01-2008, 02:24 AM

I am not gonna mention names,but we have a noreaster member who left a Winnebago body part donation at a toll booth

. I myself repainted a stop sign and did some custom grooves on the side of a TT I once owned. As far as pics go,I just dont like the memories,story telling is better

SeeTheUSA · 03-01-2008, 03:37 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RCtime:
I sure do feel bad right now. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okay, you've had time to sleep on it and/or mull it over and over and over . . . you need no medical professional, you need no legal professional, you won't be visited by the IRS or FBI or CIA, nobody has crossed you off their Christmas list and your dog still wants to lick you.

Whew - just another booboo.

Good luck with the repairs - and think about what you've learned from the experience (most of the rest of us have attended the same class).

Belgique · 03-01-2008, 08:07 AM

Someone on the other forum says in his signature: "If you learn from your mistakes, then I must be a genius."

I can tell you that Beaudry RV park in Tucson has superb water pressure. They are also probably the only place left that still uses iron pipe.

Of course my slide was clear of the water pipe...no need to move my lard butt out of the chair to check.

I had a geyser going up in the air higher than the coach! It looked like a spray thing in a pond. Even better, Beaudry could not find the water turn off for over 12 hours. We were always able to find our coach in that mass of RV's....just follow the water.

becks · 03-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Ron....Hope you have put it behind you by now. As noted most of us have done it. Myself included, backed into my own clothes line post behind my RV pad in my own yard no less. Just kept telling myself that I could go back a little further. We have most of us done the dumb thing a time or two. Carry on and enjoy RVing,there's nothing better.

RCtime · 03-01-2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks all of you for your humor, candid advice, and your own misshaps. Yes I do feel like a human being again, that can make a mistake and go on from there.
Here is this mornings update. I straighted the bracket that holds the drivers side of the facia. This installs under the airconditioner door. With the help of my son-in-law we bolted it all up and it was surprisingly sturdy even without the glued on brackets support. It is now driveable again and except for a 3x10 inch scrape on the corner of the facia, it looks just fine.
Monday morning I have a service appointment to have 2 hwh rear slideout hoses installed. When I get it home I will remove the rear facia completly, reinstall the brackets with some Poligrip 7779 (Thank you Notsio) and have it touched up at a paint shop. When finished I will reinstall it with my helper Ed. Glad my daughter found that guy. Gotta get cracking though as we leave the 1st of April for a 2 month trip.

Ding-a-ling · 03-01-2008, 01:40 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Richard 34A:
Alright; where's the photo's? Come on everybody, let's see the good stuff! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

OK! Here are the photos.

This happened at a gas station in Golden, BC last July. It may be hard to make out, but the thing in the shadow of the MH is what went into the bottom corner of the end cap as I turned too soon leaving the station.

We immediately found a nearby open lot and got out the big roll of duct tape. Later, at the campground, I drilled holes in parts of the fiberglass and used baling wire to secure the various parts to each other and the underbody and covered the seams again with duct tape.

That held up for around 7,000 miles until it was repaired at the factory in late October.
Yes, there were some initial words - but then we realized there was no other property damage and we didn't have to be towed.
Things happen. Life goes on.