Fire in trailer

[JRBurn]

I had some warranty work on my Toybox hitch and the welder caught the unit on fire, not sure how I should proceed now.

I know the worst thing is smoke damage, they said all fabric including mattress would be replaced and the unit would be cleaned, they also will install a 5th wheel air ride system, dual electric beds in the rear and add 2 additional windows in the rear for me at no charge. But I'm still worried about smoke damage.

 

[P Pacatang]

From the looks of the picture, is it looks like a Forest River 5th wheel. I would also be worried about the electrical wiring up front. What were the doing that made it catch fire?

 

[JRBurn]

Yes a 2004 Sierra Sport 38', my pinbox started to sag up about 5" and Lippert Components (Frame manufacture) was replacing and beefing up the whole area around the pinbox.

 

[P Pacatang]

Lipperts the one in rialto. I had some warranty work done on mine too not the 5th wheel area but the main frame at the wheels.

 

[JRBurn]

Turns out Lippert builds 85% of the trailer frames for the industry, they own Zieman too.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Replacing all the fabric etc. is the easy part. Good fire restoration companies also get out the smell. If the smell is not removed it will haunt you for years. Ask them what they will be doing to get the smell out. Smoke gets into almost everything including all the stuff they won't be replacing.

 

[GWBourne]

screw that, have your insurance adjuster come out and determine the work. see if its totaled. get an estimate from another shop. seems like the work they are placing in it is a "hush" job. you do tell about this, you get nice free upgrades that weigh your trailer down more so you can bring us your frame to fix more. fight for a brand new 5er...



thats just me though.

Grant

 

[BimmerAgent]

I'm with Ron & Grant. I'd call a good restoration company, like Servpro or Paul Wood Restoration, and get their opinion. I'd also consider making an insurance claim (speak to your agent first) and have my insurance company make the repairs, then have them subrogate against the welders' insurance company. I don't know about fires in rvs, but in some house fires, the smoke damage can cost more to clean than the actual repairs to the house. They must've caught it quick, 'cause rvs burn fast. I hope you come out ok on this.

Bruce

 

[Todd T]

2004 that's two years old going on 3, time to trade! I'd shoot for a Ins total and go shopping in January.



I would for sure make my insurance company aware of it and possibly have them visit the trailer and document the damages.

 

[Radshooter]

If you don't file an insurance claim, you will have nothing to fall back on in a few months or next summer when the real damage starts to show up. In my profession, we have a saying... If you didn't write it down, it didn't happen.

Good luck.

 

[GWBourne]

In my profession, we have a saying... If you didn't write it down, it didn't happen.



Good luck.

that aint no lie brother!!!