Camperless

[garym053]

Well, I guess we will have to make our decision on on next camper MUCH sooner than anticipated!
We got rear ended on our way home from Wells Beach, ME yesterday. Camper is totaled, but just may have saved us from serious injury or worse! Hit with such force that the back of the camper ended up almost at the entry door! Bent the receiver hitch like it was aluminum foil, bent the trailer coupling into a C shape!

Thank God no one was hurt!

[cyclone]

Glad to hear you are all ok - good luck in finding a new camper.

[ForestCreature]

What a bummer, glad no one was hurt. It sounds as if the camper saved you all a few bumps and bruises. Good luck finding a new camper.

[chasd60]

Well that stinks. Good no one got hurt.
Was it a local that hit you?

[garym053]

Thanks!

No, Chasd60, it was a young couple with a baby from Mass.
Very nice couple, very apologetic afterwards.

[cjpoppin]

Trailer can be replaced but the family can't......Sure glad you were towing it and all came out without injury........Have fun looking for the new trailer......Keep us posted on what you find.......

[AustinBoston]

...Camper is totaled, but just may have saved us from serious injury or worse! Hit with such force that the back of the camper ended up almost at the entry door! Bent the receiver hitch like it was aluminum foil, bent the trailer coupling into a C shape!

With that much damage to the camper, it's hard for me to imagine there is no damage to the tow vehicle.  I'd suggest taking it to a shop that does 4-wheel alignment to make sure the frame/body hasn't been warped in any way.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

WOW, I am sorry to hear about your camper, but I am glad you and your family are ok.  I agree with AB that you should get your vehicle checked out.  Good luck on finding the new PU.

[garym053]

Oh, there IS considerable damage to the tow vehicle and I informed my insurance agent (my wife) from the beginning that I planned on having the frame checked when I took it in for estimates.

With a 12v battery breaking loose and bouncing off the back of the TV, a nearly full propane tank on the A frame of the trailer, and the trailer tongue breaking loose and coming under the TV very near the fuel tank, the results COULD have been a lot different. We're very thankful! And thanks for everyone's kind words!

Now WHAT'S your favorite Pop-Up Brand? (I THINK we've decided to stick with a Pop-up)

[chasd60]

Thanks!
 
No, Chasd60, it was a young couple with a baby from Mass.
Very nice couple, very apologetic afterwards.

I didn't want to jump to that conclusion, but I suspected. You know how those M***holes drive

[Dee4j]

Oh, there IS considerable damage to the tow vehicle and I informed my insurance agent (my wife) from the beginning that I planned on having the frame checked when I took it in for estimates.

With a 12v battery breaking loose and bouncing off the back of the TV, a nearly full propane tank on the A frame of the trailer, and the trailer tongue breaking loose and coming under the TV very near the fuel tank, the results COULD have been a lot different. We're very thankful! And thanks for everyone's kind words!

Now WHAT'S your favorite Pop-Up Brand? (I THINK we've decided to stick with a Pop-up)

OMG ..Thank goodness everyone is okay..I know from experience what it's like to be driving along and some just wipe you out.

good luck on the camper hunt...I say start looking at Hybrids

[garym053]

There was frame damage to the Jeep! Not a lot, but enough to spend 6 hours (according to estimate) on a frame machine!

Dee4j, thanks. We had been looking at hybrids for about a year and had pretty much decided that a pop up suits our style of camping better, before the accident happened. We're into State and National Parks, Dry Camping while hiking and paddling. Some of our favorite campgrounds or sites won't allow anything larger than a pop up in them.

Since our Pop up was a 1999 we assume won't be getting a whole bunch of money for it!

[garym053]

Well, hopefully by this Saturday, we will have our new PUP, A Starcraft 2404. I need to get the hitch checked to make sure it's still capable of towing until everything on the Jeep gets fixed in mid August. One mechanic said it was bent but fine, will get an opinion from the frame shop and the RV dealer as well. I always try to err on the side of caution.

We looked at Rockwoods, Starcraft, Flagstaff, Jayco, and Fleetwoods on Saturday. We both loved the layout of the 2404 as soon as we walked in. THAT'S a miracle for us!!!
So soon we will no longer be camperless!!! And a lot is owed to my DW, as starting 4 years ago when the Jayco was paid off, she kept putting the monthly payment amount into a savings account for our next camper! I think I'll keep her!!!