Tree damage

[01cummins4ever]

I was out unloading a trailer full of firewood   the other day and a micro burst of heavy wind came up, and I heard a snap from above somewhere, I didnt even have time to look and see where it was and just took off running I was literally 10’ ft from where the tree fell, it all happened in a matter of seconds, The RV has some extensive structural damage on the roof, worse than the pics reveal, looks like some bent or broke frame members and three tree limbs punctured through the roof. Broken window and siding, thankfully I got full coverage so we will see how it pans out, I don’t know how the fix is going to be but either way this was a spotless clean RV for a 2004 model. I know RV roof repairs can be complicated and labor intensive but one thing for sure is I am not going to buy off on a patch job.

As for the rest of the property damage, I was going to replace that old shed anyway and cut the trees down but looks like I will be doing it sooner rather than later. maybe with the help of the insurance co, All in all I get to deal with the claims adjusters this week 

Edited October 8, 2018 by 01cummins4ever

[JAG1]

Thats too bad, I'm glad you got out of the way.  The insurance  may total the RV, but if their offer is good enough you can buy it back and get it repaired... be money ahead sometimes.

[Mopar1973Man]

That happened to us back in the early 90's here in Idaho. We moved into the house and had a freak heavy winter and snap went a tree while MoparMom was sweeping the deck off. She was backpedaling to get around the other side of the house. The tree clipped the roof and land on the deck busting it all up and pulling the main power line off the house. Since then we've logged out around the house removing all trees that could be hazardous if they broke or fell. 

 

Trees are nice to shade the RV and areas of the property but that freak microburst, windstorm, or winter storm can change the dynamic of a healthy looking tree very quickly.

 

Sorry to see that kind of damage done... At least you do have full coverage and hopefully, the RV just gets replaced. 

[01cummins4ever]

Well, almost 21/2 months later the dealer finally got an estimate to fix the RV, $9000.00 in repairs, and the insurance agreed to it. We didn’t want to spend that much on a $10,000 trailer so we just cashed the check and the dealer gave us a couple thousand for ours then we just put the money toward a newer model, I had to put up another $10,000 but ended up with a 2011 heartland greystone 34’. It weighs in at 10,800 empty and I think around 13,000 loaded. I like having the 8 lug axles compared to the 6 lug I had before ( bigger brakes ) 

We didn’t spend to much time looking around, the wife liked this one so we just went for it. She liked the large living area, electric fireplace and a bathroom that you didn’t have to walk through to get to the bedroom. I liked the four  season package and a frame mounted receiver hitch on the rear with a 7 pin connector, for more toys    

 

Meanwhile back at the ranch

 

been doing some clean up, I took down 16 cottonwoods so far and still got a few more, I’ve been lucky to find people that will burn this stuff and haul this off and I have em all bucked up for them, gave away about 6 or 7 cords so far, and I’ve been restocking with ponderosa pine.

Edited December 30, 2018 by 01cummins4ever
add pics

[IBMobile]

It's amazing how one thing like a micro burst can add hours of worry and days of work.  I glad thing are turning out OK for you.  That a nice looking trailer and good luck with it. 

If you tow anything behind the trailer I suggest you put a camera in the 5er to keep an eye on it.  I've got one for my boat trailer I put together, hard wired for about $75.  It's also great for backing up or changing lanes.

 

 

 

 

[01cummins4ever]

@IBMobile

Where did you find your camera, I’ve been wanting to get one 

[IBMobile]

1 hour ago, 01cummins4ever said:

Where did you find your camera, I’ve been wanting to get one 

I put this together with camera screwed to a small piece of plywood, about 2"x3" painted black, an stuck inside to the trailer's back window with two sided tape,  

https://www.amazon.com/Esky-Reversing-Perfect-Waterproof-Universal/dp/B07KW5XQRJ/ref=sr_1_5_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1546148783&sr=8-5-spons&keywords=esky%2Bec170-11%2Bbackup%2Bcamera&th=1

 

cat5e wire

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wire-Voice-Data-Cable/Cat5e/N-5yc1vZc5a2Z1z0uk5l?NCNI-5&searchRedirect=50+ft.+cat5e+cable&semanticToken=210r10000+>++st%3A{50+ft.+cat5e+cable}%3Ast+cnn%3A{0%3A0}+cnb%3A{0%3A0}+pt%3A{cable}%3Apt+rt%3A{cat5e}%3Art+qu%3A{50+ft.+cat5e+cable}%3Aqu

The cat5e wire has 4 pairs of wires. I soldered the camera's power, ground, signal and shield wires to the 4 pairs of cat5e wire with heat shrink to seal.  

 

The cat5e wire was then run the length of the trailer and run out the front next to the 7 wire trailer cable.  

 

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/towing-solutions-3935/agriculture-hd-parts---accessories-19818/fleet---heavy-duty-20088/trailer-plugs---brakes-20099/trailer-connector-wiring-adapters-18814/4a93e97f1ed1/hopkins-towing-solutions-wire-connector/48295/4379674/2000/dodge/ram-2500?pos=25

 A round 4 pin trailer connector was used to connect the 'video cable' to the truck.

 

More cat5e was run under the truck up the firewall and through the grommet on the left side up the left A post to the over head where the connectors for the monitor were solder together along with an on off switch for the system.  The system uses very little current so power was taken from the hot led for my 'mystery switch'.       

 

E-KYLIN 5" car monitor 

https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-EKYLIN-Suction-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B01FF2X1BW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1546149220&sr=8-5&keywords=5"+car+monitor

[01cummins4ever]

I will have to look into this set up, It seems reliable. I’ve looked into the wireless but seems you have to spend 400 bucks to get a good one. and even then they can loose signal with a long camper 

[IBMobile]

I was nervous about pulling the boat behind the 5th wheel and not being able to see it.  I looked all over the net and came up with this.  I also use it with just the 5er.  You can see if someone is behind you, see when your trailer clears the vehicle you are passing or what's behind you when backing up.         

I've used this camera/monitor set up for over 300 hours with no problems.