Hail damage dilemma

TexT@bers
TexT@bers Member Posts: 17
edited November 2021 in Trailer & Towing
While camping recently in our 2015 T@B 320 S Sofitel we suffered through a hail storm (2 inch hail).  The insurance company totaled our camper and has offered us full price for our T@B or a reduced rate for a salvage title. The salvage title would allow us to keep our beloved camper.  Such a hard decision for us.  The camper has multiple dings (may husband calls them battle scars) but otherwise appears fine.  Of course, there are no Nucamp campers available for purchase in our area and due to the recent supply chain issues, etc., we would have to wait to receive a new camper. Also, not sold on dealing with the cassette toilet in the new 320's. We sent an email to NuCamp for possible factory hail damage repair, but have not heard back after multiple inquiries. Love the T@B 400, but too pricey for us, and again long wait to receive a new camper. Curious if anyone has had to deal with salvage titles or hail damage. 
2015 T@b Sofitel 

Comments

  • Mellow_Yellow
    Mellow_Yellow Member Posts: 356
    So sorry to hear. I would be heartbroken. Would you be able to post some photos of the dents? My inclination would be to keep loving your trailer, especially if the dents are only cosmetic. 
    2014 T@B 320 S "Sunny" - 2015 Toyota Sienna LE - British Columbia, Canada
  • rfuss928
    rfuss928 Member Posts: 1,192
    I kind of agree with your husband.  I often have to remind myself our TAB is just camping equipment - not a show car.  That said, you may want to look into "paintless dent repair".  The folks that do this for door dings on auto finishes produce amazing results.  Just a  thought...
    Have fun!
    Bob 

  • TexT@bers
    TexT@bers Member Posts: 17
    Here is one photo of our hail damage. Have the about the same on 1 side and the back, few on the front.
    The Fantastic fan cover was smashed, but our fan is ok.  Planning to replace with Maxair fan if we keep the RV.

    2015 T@b Sofitel 
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    @TexT@bers - not sure when you attempted to contact nuCamp, but they have been busy with uCamp this past week.  Did you email help@nucamprv.com?  
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • TexT@bers
    TexT@bers Member Posts: 17
    My husband emailed help@nucamprv.com May 27th.  He was emailed back and said to send pictures to tech@nucamprv.com, and also contact our dealer. My husband sent an email with pictures as suggested to the tech, but we have not heard back.  We have not contacted the dealer yet, not sure if we trust a dealer to fix the damage.  Thanks for the info about uCamp, will try again tomorrow.   
    2015 T@b Sofitel 
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    @TexT@bers - please follow up with them again.  Ask specifically about having it factory repaired.  If they asked you to contact a dealer, they may be waiting to hear from a dealer regarding this repair.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • TexT@bers
    TexT@bers Member Posts: 17
    @Sharon_is_SAM- Will do, thank you!
    2015 T@b Sofitel 
  • rfuss928
    rfuss928 Member Posts: 1,192
    FWIW  I know some folks that had the entire roof replaced on a 2004 T@B with extensive damage from the weight of an added roof AC unit.  NuCamp did the repair and offered an alternative roof AC installation.  They are very happy with the results.
    Good Luck!
    Bob

  • kbdigitiqe
    kbdigitiqe Member Posts: 163
    Just to weigh in on doing the salvage title - we did this on a beloved VW van a few years ago - my recommendation would be to only do this if you really want to keep your T@B "forever" because it will be worth nearly nothing on the resale or trade in market once it has a salvage title, which we found out the hard way and was pretty painful.
  • gophergrad
    gophergrad Member Posts: 115
    If they total it and pay you, can you still keep the trailer? Or buy it back for a fraction?  Then you could order a new one AND still use this one till the new one is delivered.
    2017 CS-S Max (Silver & Yellow), TV 2019 Ram 1500
    Camping under the Big Sky
  • rhyno
    rhyno Member Posts: 393
    If you decide to keep it for the foreseeable future and don't plan to get much out of it on resale, various charities in your area may take salvage titled vehicle donations when the time comes to part with it later. 
    2021 T@B 400 BD, 2021 Lexus GX 460, Kansas City MO
  • kbdigitiqe
    kbdigitiqe Member Posts: 163
    Charity donation is what we ultimately did with our van…. But! Then it was an EPIC process just to get the salvaged title from the state, including multiple trips to the state patrol to have it inspected and lots of documentation 
  • gulfarea
    gulfarea Member Posts: 524
    @TexT@bers How about filling in the big dents then putting stick on solar panels over the dented areas! That way you can also upgrade to solar and hide the dents! Art
    2019 TaB 320 S Boondock Edge
  • dlb
    dlb Member Posts: 176
    Talk to you insurance agent about the liability coverage on your vehicle if you are going to tow a salvage titled trailer.  You want to make sure it does not void any part of your vehicle coverage.
    2021 Tab 400 Boondock
    2020 Audi SQ5

Categories