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Topic: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca (Read 1455 times) previous topic - next topic

Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Hi All
Well yesterday it finally happened. We were hit on the left rear quart panel. Damaged the engine door and peeled the panel off over the Trans cooler and muffler. Probably going to need new Trans cooler, muffler, air cleaner housing, and pieces of the lifting mechanism for the engine door and a bunch of body work. I'm hoping some one can recommend a repair shop near us in Lancaster, CA. The coach is drivable but I'm not really comfortable doing so without, at least, having it checked.

Thanks in advance. I love this forum.
Cheers Ric 8)
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #1
That is your A/C condenser, not critical to drive. If you can wire up the exhaust pipe and seal the air filter housing you should be ok to get to a repair facility. There is some here in the San Fernando Valley if you want info on one of them pm me.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #2
OUCH - Condolences.  Sorry to see your coach damage.  Hopefully will not be too hard/expensive/time consuming getting it repaired.

Link below to Foretravel owner recommended service facilities.  Probably not much help to you, but FWIW:

http://foretravel.com/documents/Service_Center_Referral2.pdf
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #3
Thanks Craneman
I wasn't sure what that radiator fed. Good to know. I went to a Lowes for some tie wire and tied up the muffler. "Looks right Purdy."
Like I said we can drive but I can't open the engine cover. Well one step at a time.
Thanks again Ric
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #4
Thanks Chuck
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #5
Ric,

Bummer! Chuck probably has a good handle on places in the SF Valley to get it repaired and it's only a couple hours away once you get it wired/taped up. Are you intending to live in the coach while it's being fixed?

Here is a Yelp page: Top 10 Best Fiberglass Repair in Lancaster, CA - Last Updated December 2019...

Another Yelp page with RV, fiberglass, repair as the keywords: Top 10 Best RV Repair Fiberglass in Lancaster, CA - Last Updated December...

Good luck,

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #6
Man, I hate that for you guys.  Hope you have good repair luck with minimal downtime.

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #7
Send Jim and Gayle McNeece a PM.  They are in Indio and have been for years.  They are experts in the SW CA area.

HTH,
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #8
Temecular Valley Rv can fix that also.. Did a great job on my body work and repairs.

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #9
Thanks all.  We've decided to continue on with our planned trip. I was able to duct tape and wire things together. Drove 4 hours today with no problems. I'll re evaluate in the morning if all looks good we may end up in Nac for repairs. We were heading to La. anyway.
Thanks again Ric
Hope to see y'all in Q
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #10
Thanks all.  We've decided to continue on with our planned trip. I was able to duct tape and wire things together. Drove 4 hours today with no problems. I'll re evaluate in the morning if all looks good we may end up in Nac for repairs. We were heading to La. anyway.
Thanks again Ric
Hope to see y'all in Q
Congratulations on your repairs, and good for you for continuing on your journey.
But out of curiosity, what did the other driver say to the police?
1)  I didn't see him.
2) He jumped out in front of me.

Happy trails.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #11
Thanks all.  We've decided to continue on with our planned trip. I was able to duct tape and wire things together. Drove 4 hours today with no problems. I'll re evaluate in the morning if all looks good we may end up in Nac for repairs. We were heading to La. anyway.
Thanks again Ric
Hope to see y'all in Q

Book as early as possible for Nacogdoches repairs.  They are all pretty booked up right now.  (We are at Xtreme right now, with fiberglass and paint repairs starting on Monday).
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #12
Thanks for the good thoughts. Life deals us challenges all we can do is roll with it.

We were actually stopped in the right turn lane, he pulled out of a parking lot behind us, a car in the left lane hit him spinning him into us. My response "What just happened?". We barely felt it.

Ah well, could have been much worse.

Cheers Ric
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #13
Did the driver at fault stop? Was he/she insured?  Police report?  Assigned fault? Citation issued?

The answers to those questions will (may) help with getting repairs funded.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #14
Hi, this place is reputable in the greater Los Angeles area.
Final Touch RV Collision Repair

Pat

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #15
Thanks for the good thoughts. Life deals us challenges all we can do is roll with it.

We were actually stopped in the right turn lane, he pulled out of a parking lot behind us, a car in the left lane hit him spinning him into us. My response "What just happened?". We barely felt it.

Ah well, could have been much worse.

Cheers Ric
You have a great attitude.  You own an eminently repairable* motorhome, and somebody's insurance claims adjuster just had his day go from bad to worse.
Have a good trip.

*It has to do with the nature of the chassis design and construction.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #16
The driver had no choice but stopping his car was totaled, he had insurance, as does the driver who hit him. I would call it his fault for failure to yield to oncoming traffic. I don't know if he was cited. Police and fire dept. showed up, I have the police report. Hartford is my insurance, so far they've been helpful. Will keep you posted.
These coaches are built tough.

As for my attitude, well it beats crying. My dad was always a roll up your sleeves and get to work kind of guy. Guess I get it from him. Thanks Dad

Cheers All Ric
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #17
It may not have helped, but a dash cam is a well worth investment, it may only show the front view , but that would have shown you moving legally etc
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #18
The police were quite friendly and helpful. As we were stopped it was pretty obvious where the fault was. Now it's just letting the insurance companies fight it out.
Dave I notice that our coach was built exactly 100 coaches after yours.
Cheers Ric
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #19
Ric, Yes, just looked 100 apart, that's coincidental, so sorry for your bad luck, our best wishes that you can get it all rebuilt ASAP.
David
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #20
Thanks  David
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #21
Happy New Year Y'all 🥳
Just a quick update Hartford In's. Has come thru, finally. I just had to convince them that a Foretravel was not a Fleetwood.
So the coach will get repaired, mechanicals first, then I think Mexico for body and paint. I wanted to go to PP anyway.😂
Thanks again to all who offered help and encouragement. We couldn't do this without the forum.
Cheers Ric 😎
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #22
Hey Ric, When are you and the lovely & gracious Leslie landing in Tucson?
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #23
Happy New Year Y'all 🥳
Just a quick update Hartford In's. Has come thru, finally. I just had to convince them that a Foretravel was not a Fleetwood.
So the coach will get repaired, mechanicals first, then I think Mexico for body and paint. I wanted to go to PP anyway.😂
Thanks again to all who offered help and encouragement. We couldn't do this without the forum.
Cheers Ric 😎

PM Twig, he wont steer you wrong in all thing Rocky Point...

Re: Sending up an S.O.S. - Need a repair shop near Lancaster, Ca

Reply #24
Thanks David I was going to ask you about Chuey and also the new guy you mentioned. As for Tucson we have to at least fix the air cleaner system, possibly the rest of mechanicals. My guess would be about a week, so it will take at least 2.
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"