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Post by WireTalents on Feb 25, 2014 12:50:20 GMT 10
Hi all. I haven't been around for a while as I am a carer for my elderly parents now and rarely get a chance to get out. Last week I had that chance so I threw my favourite lady and my telescope in, hooked up and headed for Rushworth in northern Vic. We got a mile up the road, pulled up at the lights and a mighty splintering crunch told me there is a five tonne courier van planted in the back of the Van. Effectively the back 3 feet of the van is destroyed. Everyone is OK. How do I get quotes on fixing it? Local caravan repairer or is now a specialist job? I'm in Reservoir, Melbourne. I think it will be written off in which case I plan to buy it back and repair it myself. With some help from the forum  Thanks, Neil. |
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Post by hilldweller on Feb 25, 2014 16:34:17 GMT 10
No idea sorry but what an awful thing to happen - you have my sympathies  |
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Post by overlanda on Feb 25, 2014 19:01:06 GMT 10
Sorry to hear about your misfortune if you need any help with getting a quote contact me and i will try and help you , we specialise in working on all types of caravans from old to new and and size is not a big problem only issue is we are in Ararat 2.25 hours west of you. Regards Gerald
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Post by King Fisher on Feb 26, 2014 15:53:23 GMT 10
That's so sad how horrible. I'm glad everyone is ok though. Does you policy allow you to buy back the wreck if it gets written off? Hope so. Did you get the details of the the delivery van that ran in the back of you? |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 26, 2014 21:49:11 GMT 10
G'day WireTalents,
As others have said, that's terrible news about your van but it is good that none of you were injured.
Having somebody plow into the back of our van is a fear of many of us, I'm sure. It is certainly something I think about from time to time when I look at our van's nicely rounded rear.
I hope that somebody like Overlanda will be able to assist you with his expertise. Otherwise some of us may be able to suggest some other avenues that may or may not be useful, but may at least be worth checking out.
Best of luck in getting your van looking good again. (It looks great if that's it in your avatar.)
Don Ricardo
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Post by WireTalents on Feb 27, 2014 13:37:54 GMT 10
Thanks Guys, I thing the next step is simply take it to caravan repair shops to get quotes. After that I'll deal with the insurance company.
Yes, Don, the avatar is my van. Some members will remember that my grand-dad built it around 1955. He died in '67 and the van sat in a shed collecting golf trophy's until 2006 when grandma died. I grabbed it, painted it and have been enjoying it since. Dad passed away recently but I'm still looking after mum so I rarely get away. Maybe the van is safer that way!
The other thing I still have is a heap of water transfers / decals dating from the 1960's. I bought a job lot from a shop closing down some time ago. Contact me for a list of what I have left. I've been selling them for $5 each or $20 for 5 decals.
Cheers to all, Neil.
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Post by WireTalents on Oct 15, 2014 11:24:55 GMT 10
Hi All, I'm back again. The bloke that hit my caravan in February is a pig. So is the company he works for, Advanced Truck Centre, a repair company in Braeside! I sent 2 letters of demand and they didn't bother replying. I rang them & got duck-shoved everywhere. I hired a lawyer & they didn't bother replying to his letters either. When he rang them the boss said my brake lights weren't working and they are waiting for me to take them to court. The light were working. They won't give me his home address so the lawyer has to go thru a process to find him to serve a summons on him. Pigs, all of 'em!
OK I've had my rant. I have decided to fix the van. I've removed the back wall and the divan & ready to start building. Where do I find decent bondwood for the outer skin? The ribs top & bottom appear to be hardwood bent to shape, how do I do that? How do I water-proof the whole thing? etc. I have the skills and the tools to do the job, but not necessarily do it right the first time. All advice is welcome. Thanks, Neil.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Oct 15, 2014 16:42:55 GMT 10
Isn't it up to your insurance company to do the chasing?
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Post by WireTalents on Oct 15, 2014 20:48:52 GMT 10
Unfortunately I haven't got it insured. I'm realising insurance isn't about fixing thing any more, it's about the legal stuff, as you say.
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Post by DC3Td on Oct 15, 2014 20:59:16 GMT 10
If it wasnt insured how are you going to buy it back?
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Post by WireTalents on Oct 16, 2014 8:35:57 GMT 10
I was expecting to deal with his insurance. I presumed his company has its trucks insured. Maybe I'm wrong.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 16, 2014 9:28:01 GMT 10
OP, based on the turn of events, I'd say you're right in assuming that this fellow has no insurance. You would also probably find that even if you got a judgement against him, whether he defends it or not, that he would be a man of straw financially and simply offer too pay on the "never=never". That means NEVER paying it!  |
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Post by DC3Td on Oct 16, 2014 20:31:15 GMT 10
Gday WireT.You only get to buy back from your own insurance company sadly.They wouldve been the one to say its a write-off or not. Was he charged with neg driving if anything? It "may" be possible to take some action by not seeing a solicitor but rather a local court magistrate whose advice is free.
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