Dodged a bullet

Topic: Dodged a bullet (Read 1246 times) previous topic - next topic

Dodged a bullet

June 13, 2019, 10:27:50 am

Moving the coach up to Payson, AZ in heavy traffic I spotted something in the road, no room to change lanes, tried to move over as much as I could, but clipped the object (looked like a alternator) with my curbside outside dual. No place to pull over, coach felt o.k. so I limped her to our campsite. No coach damage, but the tire was shot! It had held air. Local tire guys had no clue what Michelin I had or where they could get one. Called the firm in Phoenix that installed them a few years ago, they had one and sent a service truck up to Payson (80 miles, one way). He did a nice, quick job, so all that's left is to go toe-to-toe with the insurance company (Foremost). News at eleven how it goes and WHAT they are going to cover. The bill was $1,300.00. A fresh Michelin XRV 255/80R/22.5 tire is $750.00 with new valve stem & dual seal cap. The rest is 'portal to portal' travel & dismount/mount. The good thing? Heck, I could have splattered the coach all over the road: done big time damage. So, the day starts with a call to Foremost. Wonder if I should take some 'nerve medicine' (Jamesons) before I call?

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #1 – June 13, 2019, 10:54:36 am

One of those unlucky and lucky ordeals.. Impossible to miss everything that lays in the road. Couple weeks ago headed to Florida and was on 220 in Shreveport I was running behind traffic that blocked my view of the road ahead and ran over 3 pieces of 4x8 concrete mesh wire. I knew this wasn't going to be pretty but they all lay flat on the pavement and I heard no sounds and never found evidence of one wire sticking anything.. I hope insurance steps up and does the right thing for you. in my 3 and 1/2 million mile career the oddest thing I ran over with a semi was a set of bed box springs in Ky one night. I drug it about 1/8 mile and it made quiet a rooster tail of sparks.. No damage.. Ran over an aluminum 16 ft ladder in Dallas one day that feel off a truck in front of me again no damage.. Didn't mean to make this about me but you brought back memories Mike.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #2 – June 13, 2019, 11:14:46 am

Yeah... double shot of Jamesons and get the one in charge on the phone and give him the business.. Might wait until he says no to the claim because he will probably pay the claim before you give him the business....

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #3 – June 13, 2019, 11:27:38 am

Doesn't look like you had many miles on the damaged tire, so the new tire should match the inside dual pretty well (diameter wise).

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #4 – June 13, 2019, 11:41:22 am

That sucks Mike. But fortunate that more damage wasn't done.

I tried to file a claim against South Dakota who were treating I-90 24 hours before a snow storm was expected. Had no idea that the snow plow I was passing on the way to work on a sunny windless mourning was throwing chips. My Jeep YJ got loads of chips in the paint and broke the windshield in 10 places.

The states response, BITE ME. We Aren't responsible for road hazards.

I guess you have to decide concerning your deductible and whether they might raise your rates for the claim. I hope every thing goes your way.
I say have a wee dram.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #5 – June 13, 2019, 12:01:40 pm

Well, phone call #1 went well; hope to do this on-line rather than cell. Speaking with 'The Claims Adjuster' is next. Hope it's not a 'good cop, bad cop' deal! One cool thing was I was able to send the pic of the damaged tire: so far, so good.

I prolly would pass, rather than have my rates go up (plus at age 73, that starts to not be in my favor). But with a $500.00 deductible, I figure they owe me around $800.00, which is worth fighting for!

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #6 – June 13, 2019, 01:20:41 pm

Interesting, mounting the tire, onto the wheel, with the wheel mounted on the coach.
Was the tire remove from the wheel while mounted on the coach?

Tim

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #7 – June 13, 2019, 01:27:24 pm

For a tire man it's easier with wheel mounted. Saves work.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #8 – June 13, 2019, 03:42:35 pm

Yup, he had a air-powered jack, up she came, opened up the valve stem to drain (scared the hell out of the neighbors!) and put the fresh one on. So far, Foremost has been good; wanted a pic of the vin# tag, pic of the damage & invoice from Redburn. They are going to waive the deductible, deduct the age of the tire 10/20% and cut me a on-line bank transfer. This is lookin' good!

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #9 – June 13, 2019, 07:04:53 pm

Remember this guy?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ulnNpyiaIYs

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #10 – June 13, 2019, 07:09:45 pm

Quote from: mike leary – June 13, 2019, 03:42:35 pm

Yup, he had a air-powered jack, up she came, opened up the valve stem to drain (scared the hell out of the neighbors!) and put the fresh one on. So far, Foremost has been good; wanted a pic of the vin# tag, pic of the damage & invoice from Redburn. They are going to waive the deductible, deduct the age of the tire 10/20% and cut me a on-line bank transfer. This is lookin' good!

RESULT. You had better buy a bottle of the really good stuff. Then open it and share it with me.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #11 – June 13, 2019, 07:16:47 pm

Quote from: bigdog – June 13, 2019, 07:09:45 pm

RESULT. You had better buy a bottle of the really good stuff. Then open it and share it with me.

Little early to be uncorking the smooth stuff; "it's not over until it's over."

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #12 – June 13, 2019, 08:32:54 pm

Quote from: TGordon – June 13, 2019, 01:20:41 pm

Interesting, mounting the tire, onto the wheel, with the wheel mounted on the coach.
Was the tire remove from the wheel while mounted on the coach?

Tim

Done this way all the time in the big truck world. Easy peasy and saves time by not ruining studs etc.

jk

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #13 – June 14, 2019, 03:14:27 pm

Quote from: kimosabe99 – June 13, 2019, 08:32:54 pm

Done this way all the time in the big truck world. Easy peasy and saves time by not ruining studs etc.

As it turned out, he was ordered to check the torque (as I requested because I thought the studs had to come off). thus the great thing about a outside tire going bad, no torque checking!

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #14 – June 14, 2019, 03:39:00 pm

Quote from: mike leary – June 13, 2019, 07:16:47 pm

Little early to be uncorking the smooth stuff; "it's not over until it's over."

I agree Mike, but hopefully, they will step up and take care of you! Glad there was no damage to the coach, as a tire blowout can be costly!

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #15 – June 14, 2019, 03:53:29 pm

Quote from: juicesqueezer – June 14, 2019, 03:39:00 pm

I agree Mike, but hopefully, they will step up and take care of you! Glad there was no damage to the coach, as a tire blowout can be costly!

So far, so good. They're going to deduct 20% for the tire wear and direct-deposit the rest. The REP did say, too few people take pics to help the adjuster be fair !

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #16 – June 14, 2019, 04:17:00 pm

Mike,

What is the date code on the other tires?

An option if they are not close to new is next time it is convenient, buy one more new one and mount the one you just got and the new one of the front axle. Always better to have best tires on front.

BTW, price using the FMCA Michelin program is $545.03 including FET. You add any state tax and mounting/balancing.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #17 – June 14, 2019, 04:36:30 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 14, 2019, 04:17:00 pm

Mike,

What is the date code on the other tires?

An option if they are not close to new is next time it is convenient, buy one more new one and mount the one you just got and the new one of the front axle. Always better to have best tires on front.

BTW, price using the FMCA Michelin program is $545.03 including FET. You add any state tax and mounting/balancing.

Good idea, and I'd thought about that, too. My files show 5/13. The tech told me the tire wear on the inside dual was very close to the fresh one he installed. No clue what the FMCA Michelin program is, or, if it would have counted in a emergency: good point, though.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #18 – June 14, 2019, 05:22:18 pm

Quote from: mike leary – June 14, 2019, 04:36:30 pm

Good idea, and I'd thought about that, too. My files show 5/13. The tech told me the tire wear on the inside dual was very close to the fresh one he installed. No clue what the FMCA Michelin program is, or, if it would have counted in a emergency: good point, though.

FMCA program is for FMCA Members: RV Tires - FMCA Tire Program | FMCA

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #19 – June 14, 2019, 06:35:56 pm

Mike,

We had a tree fall on our U300 that took out the engine door (I was inside the house) and did a little FG damage. I took photos talked to the Foremost agent. She looked at the photos and asked if $3500 was OK. No deductable. Sent a check. I never have been able to find another engine access door but have the $3500. (96 inch coach engine doors are not wide enough) Will probable just make one.

Pierce

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #20 – June 14, 2019, 08:20:00 pm

We'll see. This (less -20% tire wear) is what THEY promised to cop to.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #21 – June 14, 2019, 08:27:15 pm

Pierce - Check Krueger, Titus, Price, nailor, carne's, or others websites should find something similar, they build this semi custom HVAC grilles by the millions as every commercial building needs them. Pick your frame style and material, hinge side, louver style and spacing, louver material and color, louver orientation H or V based on width. I bet they can also do locks. Heck you can also get ones that hold 1 or 2 inch air filters if you so desired for some reason. $300? Shipping might be expensive so maybe look for one with a CA facility. Mine look like standard HVAC grilles.

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #22 – June 14, 2019, 08:33:13 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – June 14, 2019, 08:27:15 pm

Pierce - Check Krueger, Titus, Price, nailor, carne's, or others websites should find something similar, they build this semi custom HVAC grilles by the millions as every commercial building needs them. Pick your frame style and material, hinge side, louver style and spacing, louver material and color, louver orientation H or V based on width. I bet they can also do locks. Heck you can also get ones that hold 1 or 2 inch air filters if you so desired for some reason. $300? Shipping might be expensive so maybe look for one with a CA facility. Mine look like standard HVAC grilles.

Huh?

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #23 – June 15, 2019, 10:12:15 am

Final report and ten points to Foremost Insurance. They paid the entire claim and made a electronic deposit this morning! They did deduct for the age of the trashed tire, which I thought was fair. So, my claim was $1,317.00 and I now have $1,170.00 !!!! They could have played games, like my $500.00 deductible or the fact my roadside assistance is $250.00 each disablement, but they stepped up, quickly and friendly. Pretty nice service, I'd say!

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #24 – June 15, 2019, 10:20:00 am

Excellent news and tanks guys for the tip about the door.

P

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