So back in August the wife and I were pulling our Argosy to my mother in laws house some 60 miles due north. Unfortunately my wife's father had passed so we were going prepared to stay for the weekend. We didn't leave home until after dark on a Thursday evening. So in a construction zone of a two lane stretch of the journey we ran over what appeared to be a painted 2x6x8 laid across our lane of traffic.

I heard and felt all four axles go over the board so I didn't stop as we were only 5 to 10 miles from the in laws. When we stepped out of the truck we were horrified to find out it wasn't as clean of a crossing as I had thought.

Turns out that the 2x6 was a red fiberglass side rail cover from a big rig. It punctured the outer and inner shells as well as the fresh water tank. Note the puddles under her in the photo above.

All is repaired now and our beloved Argosy is back to being camp ready. I will add a blog post of the repair process once I have time to get all of the pictures and my thoughts organized.

In order to keep my fresh new paint from getting rock dings and hopefully stop another road debris accident I set my mind to getting a rock tamer for the hitch.  Being a tight wad, I couldn't see spending 250 to 300 bucks that couldn't cost more than 50 to make my self. I started by looking through the garages and came up with an old rubber shop mat, two metal channel pieces that went to an old riding mower bagger, and 3 bags of bolts, washers,  and nuts left over from some previous project. I went to tractor supply and bought 2 pieces of 3/4" angle and 2 of 3/4" flat iron.

The first measurement I made was across the top of my hitch to make sure the top piece of channel would clear my 7 way on the truck side. Determined I needed 10" so the cut was next.

I wound up using the left over piece for my bottom of the hitch brace. I lined the two pieces up the way I wanted them clamped them down with vice grips and drilled 4 mounting holes. The two pieces will straddle the hitch shank held together by 4 bolts and nuts.

Next was to get the angle iron attached to the main body of the hitch mount.

Next came lining the mat up on the angle iron and clamping down the flat sandwiching the mat between the angle and the flat. Once I had it lined up and clamped I drilled though all three layers and bolted it together.

I will probably wind up adding two pieces of flat iron bolted to the bottom of each flap to add weight. The finished product looks good and cost less than 30 bucks after finding some materials laying around.

Views: 326

Comment

You need to be a member of Good Old RVs to add comments!

Join Good Old RVs

Comment by Drew on February 9, 2018 at 3:57am

Thanks Angie, we sure love her. Once you pour your heart and soul into a vintage trailer it's hard to imagine life with out it.

Looks as if you have gotten a hold of rare bird yourself. I've only seen a couple of vintage Winnebago travel trailers. When you hear winnebago the mind goes straight to a motorhome. Think it's been like 30 years since they made a travel trailer and to my understanding they didn't produce a tremendous number of them back in the day. The fact that they have started making towables again should add to the coolness factor of your rig.

Dig on in on yours and get out on the road! Camping in a trailer/rv is so much easier and much more enjoyable than tent camping. My body doesn't handle sleeping on the ground very well anymore. Funny how time changes you. 30 years ago I never thought I'd be camping in an rv, heck I use to tell rv`ers that they weren't really camping :).

Comment by Angie Castro on February 8, 2018 at 2:37pm

OH no. What a shame. Your RV is awesome BTW.  She's a beauty!!

Comment by Drew on November 22, 2017 at 11:48pm

Thanks guys and gals.

I feel I need to add that I was obeying the posted speed limit of 35 when this occured. Had on coming traffic with their lights on, by the time my headlights hit it I was going over it. I know all it takes is a hard sharp pointed object but our speed was pretty slow for the damage received imo.

If you tow a "bumper pull" trailer/camper that you value/love, you need a rock tamer and insurance. If you can't build one buy one. I had a good experience with Progressive RV insurance on this accident, even told the adjuster that we planned to repair her ourselves. When I set up the policy a few years ago I did an agreed value policy and they didn't inspect for the value I wanted insured. I bought my old girl before vintage rvs were gaining value, this coming year we've had her for 18years. We put in a crap ton of work to make her usable and then a crap ton more to make her what we wanted but didn't spend an awful amount money doing it because we did it ourselves. I'm pretty sure the settlement paid out more than I have in her dollar wise and she kept a clean title.

Comment by Russell E Johnson on November 22, 2017 at 10:07pm

That is awesome.  Gives me a plan to do the same thing. 

Comment by Dawn Michelle on November 22, 2017 at 10:07pm

Looks great!

Comment by Lakota Wolf on November 22, 2017 at 10:03pm

Awesome D.I.Y. job,,,, That will help save the nose of the trailer,,, Good job and thanks for the pictures for reference,,

Members

HOW TO MEMBER POSTS

  •         How To Links 

-Search Good Old RV's

-Start a New Group 

-Roof Repair Photos & Products

-Repair an RV Roof

-Pick Roof Sealer   

-Understanding RV Electrical Systems 

-Get RV Insurance   

-What to Look For When Buying a Used RV

-Jack Installs Fuel Injection in his Dodge 

 RV ARTISTS 

 

 Artist Roads                                              

                      

JOIN US AT GOOD OLD RVS

If you love classic and vintage RVs then come Join us. Come on in and have some fun. JOIN HERE NOW

Forum

Starcraft Ceiling Repair

Started by Donald Morgenroth in RV Repair & Maintence Mar 18.

Replacing controller ,? And inverter 1 Reply

Started by Dave King in Vintage & Classic RV Restoration & Purchase. Last reply by Rick Cornell Apr 27, 2023.

Sway Bar Links 2 Replies

Started by Grey Wolf in RV Repair & Maintence. Last reply by Grey Wolf Apr 22, 2023.

Events

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

JOIN US - COME ON IN!

If you love classic and vintage RVs then come Join us.

 Come on in and have some fun.      

 Dedicated to a simpler, more rewarding and fun way of life in a Good Old RV... 

Vintage Travel Trailers, Vintage Campers, Camper Restoration, Bus Conversions, Vintage RV Forums, Old RVs, Tiny Homes, Boondocking

A work of art by member Paige Bridges

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Disclaimer - Please Read it

Enjoy this site and use it totally at your own risk.

By using or viewing this site YOU agree to Hold Harmless anyone associated with it including other members. Also, YOU agree that YOU are solely responsible for ANY and ALL actions, results or damages. Members "opinions" are just that and any repair or alteration comments or recommendations are by folks who are not licensed repair  or mechanical professionals. Any repairs or modifications you do totally at YOUR OWN RISK. Use licensed professionals for all work to avoid possible serious injury or damage. Use  banks for purchases.  Have fun!

Copywrite & Trade Mark Registered GoodOldRV© ,GoodOldRVs©, GoodOldRVs.com©,GoodOldRVs.net©,GoodOldRV.Com©

© 2024   Created by Jimco_W001.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service