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MSHappyCampers · 10-07-2014, 10:46 AM

Yep, took the toad to a drive-through car wash to get the dust off after towing. We have used this car wash before. We paid our $4 and stayed in the car while it went through.

Now, as Paul Harvey would have said, the rest of the story. We exited the car wash, drove about a block and pulled into a grocery store. As I turned in, it was evident we had a flat! I pulled into a safe area, got out, and found flat tires on the front and rear tires on the driver's side!

We have TPMS sensors on the toad tires that work with the TireTraker monitoring system in the MH. The brushes on the car wash had hit the sensors with enough force to break off the aluminum valve stems! Lucky for us the sensors were still hanging on the broken stems.

We called Good Sam ERS and they could not find a service facility that was still open that late in the day. They sent a flat-bed tow truck that picked up the car (and us) and took us back to the campground. The next morning the tow truck came back, loaded up the car again, and took it and me to a Honda dealership about 35 miles away. The Honda Accord has special valve stems that have built-in pressure sensors that give a warning on the dash if a tire loses air.

The dealership was good enough to work me right in, and two hours later I was driving out after a $244 bill! Definitely the most expensive car wash I have very had!

P.S. the Honda dealership gave me another car wash free!

Brockx · 10-07-2014, 10:56 AM

Well at least that is a favorable Good Sam ERS report. Next time spring for the $10 bikini car wash.

dennis45 · 10-07-2014, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Yep, took the toad to a drive-through car wash to get the dust off after towing. We have used this car wash before. We paid our $4 and stayed in the car while it went through.

Now, as Paul Harvey would have said, the rest of the story. We exited the car wash, drove about a block and pulled into a grocery store. As I turned in, it was evident we had a flat! I pulled into a safe area, got out, and found flat tires on the front and rear tires on the driver's side!

We have TPMS sensors on the toad tires that work with the TireTraker monitoring system in the MH. The brushes on the car wash had hit the sensors with enough force to break off the aluminum valve stems! Lucky for us the sensors were still hanging on the broken stems.

We called Good Sam ERS and they could not find a service facility that was still open that late in the day. They sent a flat-bed tow truck that picked up the car (and us) and took us back to the campground. The next morning the tow truck came back, loaded up the car again, and took it and me to a Honda dealership about 35 miles away. The Honda Accord has special valve stems that have built-in pressure sensors that give a warning on the dash if a tire loses air.

The dealership was good enough to work me right in, and two hours later I was driving out after a $244 bill! Definitely the most expensive car wash I have very had!

P.S. the Honda dealership gave me another car wash free!

All's well that end's well. It's what keeps you from getting bored.

Just curious, did GS pick up both towing charges? There was a bizarre thread a few days ago that tried to make GS out to be evil.

tomckeon · 10-07-2014, 11:00 AM

I whine about $8..................... I've also lost a chrome tailpipe tip by the brushes before.

MSHappyCampers · 10-07-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis45

All's well that end's well. It's what keeps you from getting bored.

Just curious, did GS pick up both towing charges? There was a bizarre thread a few days ago that tried to make GS out to be evil.

Yep, they didn't give me any static about taking care of both trips!
They also didn't try to get me to use after-market valve stems!

jcthorne · 10-07-2014, 01:46 PM

Why did you not ask for the car wash to pay for the damages to your vehicle?

BFlinn181 · 10-07-2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcthorne

Why did you not ask for the car wash to pay for the damages to your vehicle?

Have you ever read all the disclaimers on the signs at the entrance of a car wash? They claim nothing the machine does to your car is their fault.

Sure, legally it might not hold up in court, but lawyers aren't free.

bamaboy473 · 10-07-2014, 01:56 PM

I think there's a disclaimer posted on most car washes that excludes liability for any part of any vehicle that gets knocked off or damaged. That was originally done for whip antennas, but I bet it covers everything else, too.

Not enough money in the damages to go to court or hire an attorney to write a letter.

Dog Folks · 10-07-2014, 02:00 PM

Wow! Thank for the heads up .

MSHappyCampers · 10-07-2014, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcthorne

Why did you not ask for the car wash to pay for the damages to your vehicle?

That's considered extra equipment on the car and signs warn you about that! Next time I'll remember!

bdickson · 10-07-2014, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

That's considered extra equipment on the car and signs warn you about that! Next time I'll remember!

Yep, I had the exact same thing happen to my CR-V. I suspect it was the rail system in the carwash and not the brushes. In any case the manager referred me to the "Not responsible for non-original equipment" sign. I just broke one sensor, and the manager changed the wheel for me so I could get to the Honda dealer. $140 for a new valve stem if I recall correctly.

**CLIFFTALL** · 10-07-2014, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdickson

Yep, I had the exact same thing happen to my CR-V. I suspect it was the rail system in the carwash and not the brushes. In any case the manager referred me to the "Not responsible for non-original equipment" sign. I just broke one sensor, and the manager changed the wheel for me so I could get to the Honda dealer. $140 for a new valve stem if I recall correctly.

You could've warned Joe. SIGH

Bilgerat · 10-07-2014, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brockx

Well at least that is a favorable Good Sam ERS report. Next time spring for the $10 bikini car wash.

So He Did...

AND THAT'S WHEN THE FIGHT STARTED!!!

jcthorne · 10-08-2014, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

I think there's a disclaimer posted on most car washes that excludes liability for any part of any vehicle that gets knocked off or damaged. That was originally done for whip antennas, but I bet it covers everything else, too.

Not enough money in the damages to go to court or hire an attorney to write a letter.

No, what they actually say is they are not responsible for Non OEM equipment and accessories. These were factory Honda TPMS sensors we are talking about. Of course they are responsible for damage. And yes, been there and done that. They were very gracious about the damage to the steps on my truck that got hung on a roller.