Topic: CALAMITY STRIKES! (Read 3288 times)

BigLarry · « **Reply #60 on:** October 24, 2009, 08:29:38 PM »

Gary and Nancy,

You're very fortunate. You have dodged two big time bullets this year. It sounds like the Framily is providing you the support you need. We'll be thinking of you two while you're getting your coach repaired and getting back to normal.

Good luck and feel blessed.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #61 on:** October 24, 2009, 10:06:31 PM »

Gary,

Once we return to Florida we'll deliver your meat. I will be sure to bring the truck so we can have a couple of cold ones before Pat drives back.

We sure were glad we could see you on our way north. You and Nancy mean a lot to us as you do to the rest of our Framily. All the way to VA I kept thinking about what I would have done in your situation. I know there's nothing I could do that you didn't.

Thanks for the info on the slack adjusters. I know they need lubrication but not too much. I'll be sure to have mine checked at the next service interval.

Howard Rawley · « **Reply #62 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:07:34 AM »

Wow!

It's been a tuff year for you guys ... very glad to hear there were no serious injuries ... the sheet metal can always be repaired/replaced.

Sure can happen quick! Sounds like you did well under the circumstances Gary.

Again glad to hear you guys (and the cat) are ok.

Howard & Kelly

ZuniJayne · « **Reply #63 on:** October 25, 2009, 10:25:51 AM »

Gary and Nancy (and Blackie).....

BIG HUGS AND LOVE!!!!!!!!

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #64 on:** October 25, 2009, 10:58:55 AM »

Gary,

We are so grateful you, Nancy and Blackie are fine. What an ordeal. Thank goodness for guardian angels.

Marsha and Tim

Daisy · « **Reply #65 on:** October 25, 2009, 03:24:24 PM »

Gary and Nancy:

Haven't read the forum for a while as we've had family visiting and were busy. So sorry to hear about your accident, but we are so very grateful you are both uninjured, just shaken up a bit. We sure hope this will all be resolved quickly for you and that you can get on with the rest of your lives. This has just about made you hit bottom for this year, so there's no place else to go but up. May future days be much, much brighter. We both wish you the best.

Daisy and Fred.

bigskymt · « **Reply #66 on:** October 25, 2009, 06:30:20 PM »

Gary: Glad you are both OK. My wife and I offer our prayers and best wishes that you recover quickly and as painless as possible from your latest misfortune.
Warmest regards, Terry and Maricar, Whitehall, MT.
On a brighter note I guess the "tiny bubbles" caused by the bra are less noticeable.

gmsboss1 · « **Reply #67 on:** October 25, 2009, 07:21:18 PM »

WoW! Mary Ann and I have been at a lake house with our son and his family since Thursday and had no internet access and no cell phone service so this was a complete surprise.

We are so glad to hear that you escaped unharmed. So sorry that we were not home as we live about 45 minutes from Kenley and would loved to be able to help you both out.

You'll both be in our prayers (again!) for a quick recovery!

Maybe we'll see you at the Spring SE Rally!

Be well. Stay safe.

Don and Mary Ann

jerryarlyne · « **Reply #68 on:** October 25, 2009, 10:13:52 PM »

Gary, Nancy & Blackie,

So glad you and all the rest were unhurt. I don't know of anything you could have done that would have made a difference in the split seconds you had. As for the cause, I agree the treadle pedel coming loose makes the most sense and would account for the brakes not working. Also the other post from your brake mechanic is right, most brake systems don't get the slack adjusters tightnd up and after a while they just don't do the job. Doing a good brake check will find that problem but don't think anything you would normally do would have stopped the pedel problem. In over 25 years of driving busses I have never had a total failure like you had. Not sure if that makes you lucky or me (or both of us)

We will keep you all in our thoughts and pray you get over the shock and trauma in a short time. Hope also all goes well & smooth with the coach repair

Jerry & Arlyne Ray

PancakeBill · « **Reply #69 on:** October 26, 2009, 07:36:08 AM »

Just caught this. Been home but busy. Sorry to hear what happened of course, but very glad you guys are OK.

I'll keep an eye on this.

RV Roamer · « **Reply #70 on:** October 26, 2009, 06:05:03 PM »

The coach was towed to Mike's Collision Center in Wilmington, NC today. The first tiny step on the road to recovery.

Nancy & I are at friends Dale & Pat Baker's vacation home near Walterboro, NC, getting some badly needed decompression time. Will head home in another day or so.

Wendy · « **Reply #71 on:** October 26, 2009, 07:29:50 PM »

You saying "Will head home..." makes me happier with our decision to keep the stick house. It's always nice to have someplace to "head home" to.

Any idea from "Mike's" on repairability?

Snow headed our way......see, it could be worse !!

Wendy

KodiakRV · « **Reply #72 on:** October 26, 2009, 09:03:55 PM »

Quote from: RV Roamer on October 24, 2009, 04:16:28 PM

I've been talking with another American Coach owner who has a truck fleet and is thoroughly knowledgeable about air brake systems. He says the only way to get my symptoms is for the brake pedal assembly to come loose from its mount on the firewall or the pivot pin on the pedal to fail. In either case, the pedal no longer acts as a lever and does not open the Treadle (air) valve or activate the switch that shuts off the cruise control and activates the engine brake. My brake pedal is down flat on the floor and seems loose from its mount, but that area was pushed in during the accident and I have no way to tell if that is accident damage or the cause of the problem in the first place. My gut says that was the problem, though, cause everything else fits.

I also have the Freightliner adjustable pedal system, which makes the pedal mechanism more complex and probably adds another possible point of failure. Something could have broken there as well. I may never know just what it was unless a clever mechanic can distinguish pre vs post accident condition...

If you have broken pins, a metallurgist can tell you whether they failed suddenly during the crash or if they failed over time due to fatigue. I'd be glad to do it, but, due to the litiguous society we live in, it would be best if your insurance company handled it...

Jim Godward · « **Reply #73 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:00:36 PM »

Now you know why I no longer consult and turned in my PE!!

taoshum · « **Reply #74 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:46:37 PM »

me too... PE, retired.

RV Roamer · « **Reply #75 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:45:26 AM »

Mike's says it will take about a week to get a preliminary estimate to show the adjuster. I should have some idea then.

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #76 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:52:53 AM »

My husband, Tim, still has his (PE); not ready to let go of it yet!

Marsha~

mayfair · « **Reply #77 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:56:55 AM »

WOW Gary I don't know how I missed this earlier, but I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I'm happy to hear that not only you and your wife, but also the people driving the other cars were also un-injured. That's AWESOME !!

I hope everything goes well with the repair and that you can get back on the road soon.

Wendy · « **Reply #78 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:37:15 AM »

PE stands for?

Jim Godward · « **Reply #79 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:47:52 AM »

Wendy,

PE = Licensed Professional Engineer

scottydl · « **Reply #80 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:50:34 AM »

Quote from: Jim Godward on October 27, 2009, 11:47:52 AM

Wendy,

PE = Licensed Professional Engineer

Okay then, I was wondering how it so happened that all the guys on this forum were so into Physical Education. Never knew so many gym teachers drove RV's!

Gary - here's wishing you all the best in getting this handled as painlessly as possible. With a vehicle that size sailing down the road with no brakes... wow, it is only by the grace of God that someone was not seriously injured or killed. A good outcome, all things considered. Hang in there, and boy will you have a campfire story to tell when all of this is over!

workingtorv · « **Reply #81 on:** October 27, 2009, 06:44:34 PM »

I'm just reading this myself and I to am very sorry that you had to go through that terror but am so glad that you are all okay and safe and sound.

RV Roamer · « **Reply #82 on:** October 28, 2009, 09:57:33 PM »

Thanks, everybody. We had a couple days to decompress at a good friends place in southern SC and the shakes have largely passed. Can't say the worries are over, though.

Jeff · « **Reply #83 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:26:29 PM »

Gary:

Everyone at the Rally tonight sends their best wishes to you both and sure do miss you both.

Hope the sun is back out soon.

pedataa136 · « **Reply #84 on:** October 31, 2009, 10:06:07 AM »

WOW! :oGlad you're okay.Don't think this forum would be the same without you

.

utahclaimjumper · « **Reply #85 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:34:49 PM »

Any new news on the repair?? I'm wondering if a front "clip" is available (after pulling the frame pieces and straightening) or will the remnents have to be used and repaired.??>>>Dan

clarkgriswold · « **Reply #86 on:** November 05, 2009, 09:37:38 PM »

So sorry to hear about the accident but we're glad to hear that all are okay. Although we're in Chattanooga, please feel free to let us know if there's anything we can do to help. Hope you're back on the road again and all goes smoothly in getting things in order. Mike & Cindy

Jim Dick · « **Reply #87 on:** November 06, 2009, 12:34:21 AM »

Quote from: RV Roamer on October 28, 2009, 09:57:33 PM

Thanks, everybody. We had a couple days to decompress at a good friends place in southern SC and the shakes have largely passed. Can't say the worries are over, though.

Gary,

There's nothing like forum Framily to help in these kinds of situations. Glad you are home and able to decompress a little. Looking forward to seeing you soon. We should be back by 10 November and will give you a call.

RV Roamer · « **Reply #88 on:** November 06, 2009, 08:30:47 AM »

The front end fiberglass panels are destroyed. New ones will have to be made to order from the original molds. Fortunately when AMG bought Fleetwood out of bankruptcy, they also bought Gold Bond, the Fleetwood subsidiary that has the molds and does the fabrication of the molded fiberglass panels. The price for it will likely be staggering, though. Also have to get all new light assemblies, both headlight and fog/parking lamps. I've heard they are from some model of Cadillac, so hopefully will be available from GM.

I talked with the insurance claims people yesterday and the preliminary report is that damages will "easily exceed $50,000". Will be awhile before I get a final figure, though.

Tom · « **Reply #89 on:** November 06, 2009, 09:45:56 AM »

That does seem "staggering" Gary. Hopefully, the insurance company will pick up most of that huge repair cost.

News:

Author Topic: CALAMITY STRIKES! (Read 3288 times)