RV collision repair

[tbonetoyama]

I got a flat tire that tore up my toyhauler undercarriage and also caused some right side damage. Is there anyone in the Salem, Oregon area that can suggest a reputable rv collision repair shop/dealer? Portland area? Just want to make sure it gets fixed right the first time!

 

[HBarlow]

You didn't provide any info regarding year, make, and model of the trailer. It might matter whether the trailer is fairly new and whether the manufacturer is still in business whether it should go to an authorized dealer or any independent RV repair shop.

Sometimes the wheel skirts are molded plastic or fiberglass pieces unique to your trailer and difficult to obtain from sources other than the trailer manufacturer.

Any good RV dealer service department can probably perform fiberglass repair work if side panels were damaged but if the skirt was destroyed that can make the repair more challenging due to repair parts needed.

 

[tbonetoyama]

The trailer is a Thor trailer. 24' Vortex 2005. Lassen RV in Albany is a Thor dealer. Any comments on their service dept. , positive or negative?

 

[Grizzly]

How could you get so much damage with a flat tire? Are you sure it wasn't a blowout? My guess is that your trailer had the original ST tires, which are now 5 + years old. I doubt that you had the much better recommended American made LT tires. ST tires are only good for a maximum of 3 years from the date stamped on the sidewall. LT tires are good for 6 years.



As far as RV repair shop, there is an RV Dealer in Grants Pass not far from Salem. It's called Caveman RV, which is a Lance Dealer. click here I've had good experience with them.



After you get your trailer repaired, consider changing out your tires to American made LT. They do require 16" wheels. If you don't have them, I'd get a set of 5 that fit your trailer.



george

 

[tbonetoyama]

Replaced all tires with E rated since the incident.

 

[HBarlow]

"E rated tires?"

In what size and rim size? Installing a set of ChiComm 15" ST tires that claim to be E rated on your original wheels won't accomplish much. If you inflate LRE tires to LRE pressures on LRD rims you could cause a rim failure.

OEM tires and wheels are matched. They are also matched with the axle and spring assemblies. In order to upgrade to higher load capacity tires the wheels also have to be upgraded.

 

[Grizzly]

Replaced all tires with E rated since the incident.

If they're China ST's, you're asking for another disaster.



Did you get your trailer fixed and where?

 

[jshumate]

I had the exact same thing happen to my Big Sky Montana (15K 5ver). TireCo who supplied the original Mission tires paid for the damage and replaced the tires. I put the new Mission tires on Craig's list and bought Goodyear G614RST (made in the U. S. ) tires. They are G rated and inflate to 110 psi. Haven't had any problems since.

 

[tbonetoyama]

Getting trailer estimate right now in Albany, Oregon. Lassen RV. Don't know if I'll let them do the work or fix it myself.

 

[JBallou]

Where is a good place to get 16" rims? Found several places online at 100 per rim.



Is there a possibility of using a truck rim as a trailer rim? As long as the bolt pattern matches. I know about the 0 offset. What have others used?

 

[HBarlow]

Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels in Dallas or Lubbock, TX is an excellent source. Other trailer parts dealers like Redneck Trailer in Missouri also. The worst source is an RV dealer unless you are wealthy and enjoy throwing your money away.

The SouthWestWheel online catalog is a good source for prices even if you don't choose to order from them.

 

[Grizzly]

I purchased a replacement wheel for my BigTex trailer directly from BigTex Trailer Mfg in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. The price, with UPS shipping, was very reasonable.