Jackknifed...anger

toothpick · Posted: May 29, 2004 6:49 am Post subject: Jackknifed...anger

So yesterday when we were done riding, I gave the truck keys to a friend assuming he knew how to back up a trailer, he didn't tell me he didn't know, just went and got it. So I'm out there floating, watching him back out at about idle speed (which is pretty fast when you've got a trailer to worry about). I see the trailer going more and more to the left and my truck just rolling along straight as can be....I turned away, I just couldn't watch. Sure enough, he jackknifed it.

So I rushed to the dock, got him out of the truck as quick as I could and then ran the whole operation myself. The good thing is that most of the damage is cosmetic. I'm assuming though that the bent trailer could cause bad tire wear.

The reason I'm posting is because it tweaked the trailer. Has anybody had this happen before? I figure I'll go to an auto body shop to get it bent back straight again. Here are some pics:

UPDATE: He just came by my house, he bought me a wakeskate, so I just can't stay mad. Razz

He already bought me a new tail light.

Not an easy fix.

Notice the piece that holds the boat's nose. The bottom is bent in and the whole thing tilts to the left pretty bad when the boat isn't in there.

Close up.

Partyb · Posted: May 29, 2004 11:53 am Post subject:

That doesn't look good. Even if they straighten that out, it is never gonna be as strong as it once was. I would probably just get a new trailer. Especially if you are going to be hauling it far. That trailer has no resale value now. Guy should have known better. At least he didn't back the whole rig into the lake. That was probably the next step.

PortlandBrder · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 352 City: Portland

that trailer looks pretty tweaked. Price out a new one.

Broccoli B · Posted: May 29, 2004 2:10 pm Post subject:

Umm, it looks to me like "someone" hit your trailer and you need the insurance company to buy you a new one. Wink

Brit Rider · Posted: May 29, 2004 3:19 pm Post subject:

yeah.. it was like that when you came back to it..... Wink

lakeboarder · Posted: May 29, 2004 7:07 pm Post subject:

Take it to a trailer shop, where they build trailers. Worst case they replace a couple of pieces of tube steel. I doubt it will be a big deal. After that and a little paint you'll never know the difference.

ridewake · Newbie Joined: 23 May 2004 Posts: 27 City: Pakenham

yes,

i agree, either a trailer shop, or a new one, since the damage occurred when fixed will result in a weaker trailer.

JMN

Bruky · Guest

Is your trailer insured?

criminally_minded · Posted: May 29, 2004 10:58 pm Post subject:

That is completely repairable, and a repair job shouldn't leave your trailer any weaker at all. If it does you went to a crappy repairer. I'm with lakeboarder on this one. How much weight do you guys think your draw bar actually takes?

Bruky · Guest

The whole front end of the trailer is bent though.

toothpick · Posted: May 30, 2004 7:43 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I think after Memorial Day I'll find out who is good down here (I have a friend that tows trailers all over the place, I believe he's dealt with jackknife issues before).

The part that is bent is actually just that center piece, which is just bolted into the bigger part of the trailer, so I don't know if they can just replace that part or what. It is the piece with the brake control in it and everything, which does still work and hasn't leaked at all.

Anyway, I'll keep ya updated.

toothpick · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 6:04 am Post subject:

Update: Picked the boat up yesterday to find the auto body place did a great job straightening it back out. They hit me up for $200, but my friend that did the damage said he'll pay for it.

However, I was quite pissed to see once I got home to unhook the trailer, that my swivel jack was obviously drug across the ground while it was at the shop. It works, but barely. It got all bent up, and it's less than a year old. Sooooo...since they said nothing to me about it when I picked the boat up, I'm going to go down there this morning and have some words with them. Words that will put $65 back into my pocket so I can replace the jack.

4HUN · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 7:06 am Post subject:

Dont feel so bad.... The same thing happened to me over this weekend. My damage is much worse, about $3500. This is my $46k 5 month old truck! Shocked

At least he is paying for it all. IT doesnt look so bad now. I hooked it up to a tree and pulled the bumper back out. The trailer wasnt too bad. Just bent the coupler. Ordered a new one for $150. I was extremely pissed, but I am over it now. Just sucks to have paintwork done on a new truck.

Swass · Guest

Jeez - now I don't feel so bad about driving off without unhooking my safety brake cable.

Dees · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 7:16 am Post subject:

got to love fiberglass

i36hyperlite · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 7:16 am Post subject:

that sucks guys, its a shame stuff gets messed up when you think you can trust somebody. At least all is well now.
________
Ferrari 275

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

Ahh, the joys of plastic. Like a rock my a$$.

uspap · Outlaw Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 163

I never let somebody back my trailer down unless they have a boat or drive with a trailer for work. I was feeling like a control freak but now I'm even more determined. It's a helpless feeling watching someone jack up something you worked hard for.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

uspap, I agree. It's not easy backing a trailer.

Duramax Dually · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 8:22 am Post subject: Bumper

4 Hun,

There a couple of GM Diesel websites where people are selling their rear bumpers of their Chevrolet/GMC's. The entire Sierra and Silverado line have the same bumper. 1500- through 3500. I have an 01 CC LB K3500 and that Fender Skin can be easily removed. I am not sure the cost of a new one but if you have the time and want to do it yourself, Buy the Skin, Have shop paint it and install yourself.....if not claim on your insurance, just some thoughts...

Always seems simple to claim on insurance until you get the 1st bill where the rates went up....., Insurance companies NEVER lose, they always get their money back...One way or the other

watsoc · Addict Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 574 City: Anthem

I always back up my trailer unless I completely trust the other person (ie they have a boat too). I would rather have someone wait with my boat and just pull it onto the trailer with a front line then allow someone to jack knife my trailer and cause embarasment on the ramp and damage to my hard earned equipment. Good luck on getting your stuff fixed.

4HUN · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 9:06 am Post subject:

Duramax Dually,

I've found quite a few bumpers on Ebay. The bedside from GM is $700. I am planning on doing the work myself. I would claim it but my agent told me I could expect a 30% increase, which is not worth it to me. I think I can get everything fixed for arounf $1500 or so.

What websites are you referring to? I never really thought to check out those sites. The problem with the bumpers on ebay is everyone has some slight problem. I want a mint condition bumper and nothing less.

Have you ever removed the dually side? It looks simple, is it really as easy as it seems? Also, I NEED my truck for work. Can I still drive without that side on? I dont see any reason why not, besides cosmetics. Actually, nevermind. I can just keep the wrecked side on until my new side is painted. Rolling Eyes

FYI to everyone else. My driver was never supposed to back the trailer up. The spot was a pull in spot. I have NO IDEA why he was backing up my trailer. I couldnt really see anything from the water. I would have never let him back the trailer up, I thought it would be fine, since he really didnt have to do anything except pull foward. You cant mess that up, can you?? LOL

Duramax Dually · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 9:41 am Post subject:

4Hun,
The site for the truck I mention is www.dieselplace.com. They have a classified section and I just read this morning there were 2 brand new rear bumpers for sale.

As for the skin, I have not had the unfortunate event of wrecking mine where I had to take it off, however I have helped a couple friends do theirs. It really is quite simple. And Yes you can drive it with the fender extension off however if you are in an area where it might rain the rooster tail of water that will fly up might not be viewed favorably by the driver behind you as well as local law enforcement agencies. I would leave it on and get the other already for install.

let me know if I can be of any help

toothpick · Posted: Jun 03, 2004 4:41 pm Post subject:

4HUN, dang man, that sucks. Yeah, I realized how lucky I was that the trailer just hit the light and the bumper, no paint/body damage.

uspap, you got that right, you feel SO helpless when you see it happen. I was probably only like 75 yards away from it, and I saw it coming like a good 5 seconds before it happened, I just put my head down and waited to hear the crunch.

Oh, and I did go to the auto body shop, apparently they never hooked it up to a truck or anything, but just pushed it into the shop. The damage must have been done when they were straightening the frame back out, which they said was tougher than they thought it would be. Those jacks are pretty weak laterally, so it was dumb of them to rest the whole boat in it while they worked on it. Oh well, they are reimbursing me for it, so all is well.

grady · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 547 City: d-block

Swass, no one would b that dumb Laughing

lol...just kiddin man...ive done it more than once

ssrgeoff · Addict Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 582 City: So Cal

Mine is the opposite. I ran and got the trailer because my wife could not back it down the ramp. I let her bring the boat to the trailer and as she gets closer the wind blows her off track and she panics gives the boat gas and over corrects. She ended up hitting the trailer guide which is wood covered in carpet and manages to knock the boat completely sideways over the trailer. I felt like such a dumby wumby even though I wasnt driving the boat, I brought it back straight over the trailer and noticed a gouge going completely across one side. The graphic is peeled back in a few sections and I am starting to steam. I couldnt rant and rave since it was a long ride home. Not to mention I didnt want a judo chop to the adams apple while driving so I had to let it go....... The boat was 2 weeks old. Nothing like breaking in a new boat................. Evil or Very Mad

oshensurfer · Posted: Jun 04, 2004 5:45 pm Post subject:

ssrgeoff,

One word...
Bruuuutal.

That gave me that really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach reading that. I'm with everyone else. No boat?, never owned a trailer?, no drivey my truck with a boat attached.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

CenturionDad · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 277 City: So Cal

Don't you guys use your mirrors? I don't want to sound mean, but how could you let it get that far without stopping. I'd rather risk a little ridicule by getting out and taking a good look, instead of driving until it hurts.
You're killing me smalls!

toothpick · Posted: Jun 05, 2004 12:05 am Post subject:

Pssst...CenturionDad, none of us telling the stories are the ones who were at the wheel during the time of the accidents. We are all the victims who are mad because no, we wouldn't have done such stupid things. You don't sound mean, you just sound like you didn't really pay attention.

ssrgeoff · Addict Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 582 City: So Cal

"dumby wumby" haha.... I didnt write that. Thats funny....I was censored.

CenturionDad your right, it should be common sense to stop and not keep coming back if you see the trailer going completely sideways. Problem is, were not the one's behind the wheel. Some people have more common sense than others. My only solution, just do everything myself....

4HUN · Posted: Jun 05, 2004 9:22 am Post subject:

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

4HUN · Posted: Jun 06, 2004 7:16 am Post subject:

.......

CenturionDad · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 277 City: So Cal

toothpick, I'm paying attention, that's why the side of my tow vehicle is undamaged. I'm sorry to see anyones vehicles getting damaged and again, risking a negative attitude, I'm really surprised that this can happen regardless if the owner is driving or not. It takes a good 15+ feet of continuing to drive in reverse after you can see this sort of thing beginning. Put the inexperienced driver in the boat (and tell them to feather it) better yet, dock the boat run tot he truck and back it down yourself. also, practicing in a big empty lot is great experience. Most of us have $30 to $40 thousand dollars in truck, boat and trailer. Some people have much more. Why risk it?

I hope these people aren't piloting boats on the lakes I'm on!