Topic: Goodbye Barney (our '72 VW) (Read 899 times)

Wendy · « **on:** November 17, 2009, 11:09:12 PM »

Ok, guys, enough is enough with Forumites getting smacked.

We were traveling south on I-5 today when a car spun several cars ahead of us. Cars and semi ahead of us hit the brakes. Mike hit the brakes. We came to a stop with plenty of room between us and the semi....deep breath. Then WHAM, gravel truck fully loaded with sand, pulling a trailer fully loaded with sand, slammed into the back of us. The good news is that we're fine and that the VW was the "crush zone" and absorbed most of the crash. The bad news is that our cute little bug is squashed dead. We'll be in Sacramento for several days getting appraisals on the VW (no appraisal needed....it is dead, dead, dead) and on the motorhome (no visible damage but there seems to be some sort of electrical problem...no rear lights including brake lights, probably a fuse?).

Anyway, Brewers and Dobrins toads and Gary's motorhome and now us. So, ok, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Wendy
Folsom Lake SP, Sacramento, CA

Jeff · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2009, 11:37:04 PM »

Wendy:

Sorry about the Beetle, glad you're OK. Now Mike won't have something to crawl around and under at every cg.

Ray D · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2009, 11:48:49 PM »

Wendy, glad to hear you are OK. Hope the serious damage is limited to the VW. And, there were enough accidents BEFORE you got into this.

While you are doing all the rest of the post accident stuff, also check the running gear on the motorhome for damage. I was driving one of my trucks, in California, years ago. A lady in the lane on my right decided to make a left turn, across my path, in front of me. I hit the brakes, missed her, and killed the engine, stopping.

Took a brief deep sigh of relief, before restarting the engine - and as you said - WHAM! I got rear ended by a gravel truck towing a trailer, loaded. Scooted my truck about 8 or 10 feet, with the wheels locked, brakes full on! No apparent damage - Diamond Plate Steel bumper to Diamond Plate steel bumpers - but my mechanic wanted to examine my drive train. I told him I'd bring it in, for that, in "a few days."

Well, I didn't get around to it, and three weeks later, my clutch shattered, coming down the grapevine. I had no idea that truck could go that fast! So, I took it in (towed it) and "let" the mechanic go over the running gear. He replaced the clutch.

Most exciting ride I ever had in a wheeled land vehicle!

Good luck with the unpleasant chores.

Ray D $:-\$

Tom · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2009, 03:41:10 AM »

Oh my gosh Wendy. Sorry about the VW, but we're sure glad to hear you and Mike are OK.

Barb · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:33:27 AM »

We are very glad you, Mike, and Gordon are safe. Very Very glad.

Barb

RV Roamer · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:46:19 AM »

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but you didn't need to go that far, Wendy!

Glad to hear you came through unscathed even though Barney did not.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:49:33 AM »

Hi Wendy,

Sorry to hear about your accident but we're happy you were not injured. I agree, enough is enough!!!

We had lunch with Gary & Nancy on Sunday. Was great to see them again.

Ned · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:08:05 AM »

More good news, bad news

Thankfully you two are ok, but the Bug definitely is a goner. It gave its life in a good cause.

As for the electrical problems, I suspect the entire lighting cable got shorted out and took out multiple fuses. They should all be in one place, however, as they're all chassis related.

aka Porky · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:22:16 AM »

Wendy, thank God you guys were not hurt. Sorry about the brave little toad.

Jackliz · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:26:24 AM »

Oh, wow!!! Sorry to hear about the accident, Wendy. But we are glad that neither you nor Mike got hurt. Whew!!!

Regards,
Jack and Liz

Gypsy Rovers · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:36:11 AM »

Mike & Wendy, glad you're both OK and just minor damage to the coach. Too bad about Barney, not only the loss of transportation but a huge loss in the "cute" factor.

Dale & Karen

BernieD · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2009, 10:00:19 AM »

Wendy

What a shame, all the work you and Mike put into the Bug over the last year getting it towable and fixing it up. Best news is you are both OK. What's to follow?

rsalhus · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2009, 10:39:13 AM »

Mike and Wendy,

Sorry to hear about the accident, but I guess it just shows that none of us are immune to these kinds of traffic accidents. Now you have to go through the process of finding another toad and getting a baseplate and electrical wiring for the lights installed so you can tow it. I imagine the hitch on the motorhome was damaged too but it sounds like it kept the VW from damaging the motorhome, except for the wiring problems. The good new is that you're all right and you're in an area where you can get things fixed and replaced. Keep us posted on your progress through this ordeal.

Betty Brewer · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2009, 11:42:37 AM »

Mike and Wendy,

Glad you are ok but I'll bet you have some frayed nerves for a while. Have you had to rent a car to do details of auto replacing? What did you do with all the stuff inside Barney. I can't believe you did not have damage to rear of motorhome. Good thing Barney was there to cushion your blow.

Just goes to show how "in an instant" all of our plans can seriously be changed. Whew and gulp. We recall all to well the details in repalcing a toad when you are away from home. Keep us informed on how insurance companies handle your claim. My auto accident claim is still pending with the other vehicle. Progressive ( our insurance ) did well for us.

Betty

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2009, 11:43:47 AM »

Oh my gosh!! We are so grateful you, Mike and Gordon are alright. Whew...I hate this kind of stuff.

Marsha!

Wendy · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2009, 01:07:10 PM »

Thanks for all the good wishes. The more we think about it and look at the pictures, the more it looks like our brave little Barney sacrificed his life to save the motorhome. I can't even imagine what the back end of the coach would like if that gravel truck had hit it directly. Hey, there's another good reason to tow a car.....crush zone if someone rearends you (sorry, my humor is a little weird this morning). As it was, a lot of things flew forward when she hit, including the mattress (bathroom wall stopped it), pillows, doors opened in the bedroom, medicine cabinet opened and everything flew out in the bathroom and then closed.

All of the stuff that was in the VW (5-gallon water bottle, blue boy, extra parts for working on Barney, dog toys, tennis balls, etc., etc.) is now in the motorhome. Gordon has lots his bed next to our bed because there's bags of stuff there. Mike's bicycle had to ride in the coach over to the campground because it came off the bike rack when Barney smashed into the hitch/bike rack. Mike's outside now seeing if it's an easy fix so we can carry his bike back there when we resume our travels.

Truck driver's insurance is Progressive and they seem to be doing an excellent job so far. Gave us a reservation number for an Enterprise rental car (waiting for them to call back). Said "oh dear" when we told them it wasn't an "old" car, it was a "classic" '72 VW bug. Fortunately, Progressive writes classic car policies so they know what they're dealing with. Talked to our insurance agent and he said as long as the truck driver's insurance is treating us right, they'll stay out of it but to call them right away if we have any problems.

I think that for now, we'll go toadless. Might want another bug, might want to put any money we get into the Thing, or might just go back to using the bicycles.

As for now, the sun is shining, we're not someplace cold, we're in a big city for anything we need, and no one was hurt. Life is still good.

Wendy

Jim Godward · « **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2009, 01:25:20 PM »

Wendy,

Sorry to hear about Barney but thank goodness you all are OK. We will be looking forward to Barney's replacement.

ArdraF · « **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2009, 01:36:50 PM »

Oh, Wendy, I agree with you - enough is enough!

We're both so glad to hear you three are all okay. That's what's really important, although everything else will be a hassle.

I'm glad you mentioned everything flying around - including the mattress! I've always wondered what would happen in case of an accident when people don't stow all their stuff before taking off and now we know. Flying debris could cause serious injury.

Yup, having a toad back there does add a crush zone. Maybe you'll want to replace Barney after all....

Good luck on getting everything done quickly. Glad you're stuck in a big city instead of the proverbial "middle of nowhere." At least that part went right!

Hugs,
Ardra and Jerry

Honest John · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:07:38 PM »

Well, we all hate to see an old veteran go down, I Recommend Barney for a Purple Heart and Bronze Star! Those Classic VWs are tougher than they look.

Glad you are safe!

Wendy · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:41:44 PM »

Barney was a brave, strong boy but no one could stand up to a loaded gravel truck & trailer.

Progressive has been out and looked at the motorhome, hitch, lights, etc. and gave us a preliminary check to cover the hitch and bike rack so we can get going again. Will stay here until we get that taken care of so we can put the bikes back on the outside of the motorhome where they belong instead of in the middle of the inside. Also need to pick up some fuses to get the lights working again.

Wendy

Mc2guy · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:56:42 PM »

Wendy,

So glad you weren't hurt, and sorry about the car...that was one very cool ride.

Has anyone looked at the structural integrity of the hitch since it took such a hit? I would think that the bolts would possibly be damaged, and/or the metal where the bolts attach to the coach could have been cracked/stressed. I am assuming your '07 sightseer is like mine where the hitch is attached to the rear frame using 6 large bolts?

You mentioned that enough force was transmitted through the hitch that it threw loose items around in your coach including the bed. I think that level of impact would warrant a close inspection of the mounting points so you don't have a problem in the future.

Jim Godward · « **Reply #21 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:03:24 PM »

We had a minor fender bender a couple of years ago, it somehow managed to crack the plastic hitch cover I had inserted in th eopening. The insurance company required the hitch and rear bumper be replaced, the frame checked and of course the rest of the damage repaired.

I was surprised that they required it as I was prepared to argue for it.

Daisy · « **Reply #22 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:38:05 PM »

Wendy and Mike:

As usual I'm late getting into the act, but want to say how happy we are that both of you and Gordon are safe, if not a little frayed around the edges. Sorry to hear about Barney though, but he fought the good fight and did you all well. You can be proud of the way he stood up to the task....

Hopefully the nightmares have subsided by now and you can soon get back on the road.

Daisy and Fred

utahclaimjumper · « **Reply #23 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:47:54 PM »

Wendy, A quick stroll thru the "E: place shows the 70s vintage beetles any were from $950.00 to $9500.00, but there are many of them, lots o luck >>>Dan

Tom and Margi · « **Reply #24 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:06:16 PM »

We're so thankful that all three of you are safe. Poor Barney -- he certainly saved the day for you. Hope your repairs and insurance dealings are hassel free.

Margi

carson · « **Reply #25 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:24:43 PM »

Jim, a little conspiracy idea here;

Quote

I was surprised that they required it as I was prepared to argue for it.

I believe there are a few shenanigans going on in the insurance industry. Speaking from first hand experience I ran into a similar situation. A minor fender bender was adjusted for a repair bill of $800.00. The insurance company sent me a check for that amount to get it fixed, made out to a specific body shop. No way I could cash the check.

I checked into the cost of repair and found that I could have it fixed for $ 180.00, parts and labor.

Since my deductible was $250.00 I sent the check back and told them to cancel my claim. Obviously this would then not appear on my record.

The insurance agent even told me that she agreed with me that a collusion is taken place between the adjuster and some body shops. That scares the heck out of me....

No wonder insurance rates are so high.

Just FYI

carson

Jim Godward · « **Reply #26 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:01:20 PM »

If it is recent, contact the Insurance company fraud department directly and give them all the facts you have and then stand back. you will probably never hear from them again but believe me, they will check and figure out what is going on.

We have a friend that retired from an insurance company fraud department and gave us the heads up on this. I have since used it and while it took almost 5 years, I got all my money back on a rejected claim from another company and the vehicle manufacturer.

Tom · « **Reply #27 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:36:34 PM »

Back in the mid 80's we were rear ended in our Bronco by a Mac truck. I had the Bronco hauled to a well-known shop, and their estimate was $8,000. The guy told Chris I was the only customer he'd seen in a 3-piece suit crawling under a vehicle to check out his work. This was a real "rip off the insurance company" scheme, because they had not done most of the work they were billing for.

A couple of days later, the insurance adjuster called me and said he'd received the bill with my signoff. Excuse me - I haven't signed off on anything. "Stay there, I'll be in your office in 15 minutes". I looked at the signoff, showed him my drivers license with signature and asked "do they look even remotely the same?" He agreed they didn't, and I told him to withold payment.

When I explained to the owner of the shop that I was filing a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repairs, he asked "are you threatening me?" No, I'm promising you! Well, his attitude changed in a hurry.

Meanwhile, the insurance adjuster told me that this "forged signature" thing was quite normal.

winstons mom · « **Reply #28 on:** November 19, 2009, 06:57:25 PM »

Oh Wendy! So glad to hear that the 3 of you sre ok. Poor Barney!!! A real trooper. You said that you might forgo the toad for a while and ride the bikes, how will you take Gordon sightseeing? He's a little large to ride in a basket.

Ken & Sheila · « **Reply #29 on:** November 19, 2009, 08:27:34 PM »

Wendy,

Sorry for your loss, but really glad you two weren't hurt.

ken

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Author Topic: Goodbye Barney (our '72 VW) (Read 899 times)