Community Forums

Chickadee · 10-26-2008, 04:35 AM

G'Morning NEWMAR GANG! Well....so there we were trying to save a little by staying in a less than optimal campground in the mountains of N. Georgia (gravel, hilly, trees, and, tight maneuvering). Anyway upon departing, I managed to scrape a muddy, gravel berm on a tight turn, and, sure enough, scraped the paint and gel coat along the bottom 1/4 of 4 bay doors on the psngr. side....DARN IT!! Going to be wintering in Oldsmar, FL (Clearwater/Tampa area) and was hoping someone of you might have a suggestion for the way to handle this needed bodywork. Would like NOT to take whole rig into shop for a number of days, so would like to take the bay doors off myself and take em in. We've had svc. at Haberson/Swanstrom (Newmar in St. Pete) before but don't think they do bodywork. Can anyone suggest a shop and/or perhaps the best way to proceed (reading...least costly!). Thanks. Steve & Lynette

Chickadee · 10-26-2008, 04:35 AM

G'Morning NEWMAR GANG! Well....so there we were trying to save a little by staying in a less than optimal campground in the mountains of N. Georgia (gravel, hilly, trees, and, tight maneuvering). Anyway upon departing, I managed to scrape a muddy, gravel berm on a tight turn, and, sure enough, scraped the paint and gel coat along the bottom 1/4 of 4 bay doors on the psngr. side....DARN IT!! Going to be wintering in Oldsmar, FL (Clearwater/Tampa area) and was hoping someone of you might have a suggestion for the way to handle this needed bodywork. Would like NOT to take whole rig into shop for a number of days, so would like to take the bay doors off myself and take em in. We've had svc. at Haberson/Swanstrom (Newmar in St. Pete) before but don't think they do bodywork. Can anyone suggest a shop and/or perhaps the best way to proceed (reading...least costly!). Thanks. Steve & Lynette

read & learn · 10-26-2008, 04:47 AM

Sorry to hear about damage. There are some RV repair and paint shops in the area. When you get here look them up in the phone book.
Also the Fall 08 RV show at the Fairgrounds is Nov. 6-9 should be a couple of dealers there.
Lakeland-Custom Coach
Steffer/Mango-RV body & paint shop on RT 92
Orlando area-Independance RV Newmar dealer

Mrboo · 10-26-2008, 05:26 AM

Chickadee: You do not need a rv dealer. Find a good body shop in the area. They will be glad to use the work as a fill in. I believe you will save $$$ by this method. If fiberglass repair is needed look for a corvett shop. LOL Rich

GaryKD · 10-26-2008, 06:15 AM

Hi Steve,
If you take the doors, remember to take the paint code(s) with you. While it is a bit far, North Trail RV in Ft Myers (exit 141 on I75) has an excellent body shop and most importantly outstanding staff. You might be able to arrange to have the job done all in one day. Their body shop is at exit 139. While at NT there is a Camping World store at the same exit as the body shop. About 6 miles away is a Joe's Crab Shack, it has really good sea food.

Lug_Nut · 10-26-2008, 07:05 AM

Oh, that is a shame. However it will be good as new in no time once you send the doors for paint and get them back on. I agree with Gary, North Trail would be a good choice as they are a very large Newmar Dealer. (That Joe's Crab Shack, I was there yesterday to consume a big crab. Good eating!)
I would definately call North Trail, or where ever, and ask for what turn-around they can do. If too slow, I would contact Newmar in Napanee and send them there. Newmar's turn around would probably be about two days.

Peter

SNAIL1 · 10-26-2008, 06:06 PM

Call Amos at Charolette RV in Port Charlotte,Fl. It's a little closer to Tampa. Their number is 941-883-5555.

They are a full service independent shop and have done work of us on several occasions following Hurricane Charlie and other needs.

They do good work and have a good reputation.

Chickadee · 10-27-2008, 02:31 AM

THANKS ALL!!! You guys are wonderful, thanks for all the suggestions. I also am in touch with Haberson in Clearwater and they DO have a body shop......although.....that Joes Crab Shack idea in Ft. Myers area DOES sound pretty enticing.....might be worth the short trip. We're kinda thinkin we'll submit this body work through our insurance co. since the way these body shops charge we afraid it's going to be expensive. Thanks again. Steve & Lynette

jojolima · 10-27-2008, 02:19 PM

I would check with BBB on Charlotte RV. Heard some "not so nice" stories about this company the past few years.

bdaball · 10-27-2008, 04:28 PM

Got you beat Chickadee. Never raise your compartment doors and manually extend the torsion bars above the slide and then extend and retract your slide. OUCH!@#$%^&*!
Keep me posted on the cost or if you find a source for a new skin.

Chickadee · 10-28-2008, 03:03 AM

Hey, bdaball! BUMMER!! Yup, we do some strange things sometimes. Like on our previously owned Mtn. Aire, I leaned my long handled windshield squeegee against side of rig intending to stow it after sponge dried. Yup, forgot it until leaving next morning. Did walk around AFTER wife had pulled in the slides, and, THERE, sticking straight out from the side of the coach was the 6 ft. handle of the squeegee with the sponge end neatly trapped between the edge of the slide and the rubber slide seal gasket!!! Looked pretty funny and slide edge was a little distorted but not a biggy!! Ya Know...this could get to be a little like the movie JAWS when the old shark hunter captain and Richard Dryfuss were comparing scars they had. Well, we'll just have to keep muddling along. Thank goodness for the guys on this Newmar forum who REALLY jump in to help out. See ya. Steve & Lynette

bdaball · 11-04-2008, 03:30 PM

Any updates on your replacment doors and or skins? You can PM me if you wish. My coach is going into hybernation this week. Snow gets a little too deep here in Maine to enjoy RV-ing. If it worked out I may consider removing the door and sending it to a shop via UPS or Fed Ex. Spring is long way off. Anxious to hear from you.

Chickadee · 11-05-2008, 03:02 AM

bdaball: Hi from Cypress Woods RV Resort in Ft. Myers, FL. We did take the recommendations of others on this site and came down to North Trail RV to have our baydoors repaired. They have been GREAT!! They immediately did the work up (pics, estimate, insurance stuff) yesterday (Tues. 11/4) and ordered two doors needing replacement from Nappanee. The only delay MAY relate to production at Newmar, but, we'll just have to wait...who knows,..might be sooner than later. Due to potential alignment (hinge, latch) issues, we elected NOT to remove the doors but to have it all done correctly by the Newmar svc. techs here at North Trail. Also, staying here at Cypress Woods and in Ft. Myers is FAR from the worst thing.....it's almost heaven being from Minnesota/Dakota as we are. Having served in the Coast Guard up on the coast of Maine for a year, I know the weather here in Ft. Myers is also alot more comfortable than Maine in the winter. Steve & Lynette