| Author |
Message |
tim terhune (69.6.128.27)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 12:34 am: | |
Everyone is ok, thank you Lord.
I'm returning on trip with family to Vermont from vacation in south west. I hit a pickup nearly broadside with my front right corner. I'm still amazed and truly thankful that the other driver walked away, but to look at his truck...nothing left of his front end.
Passengers in my bus were shaken up but otherwise only one scrape among the 8 of us.
The bus is another story. The entire front right corner is crunched in so that the step well was rubbing tight against the wheel. I had the wrecker winch the bumper and wheel well out enough to clear the front wheel so I can drive the bus. The damage is immense.
In my mind the bus is a total. However, I really need to know who I can take this rig to who can give a sound estimate of damages for insurance purposes and who can perform the repairs if feasible.
Currently I'm still in Clarenden TX, the location of the accident. I'm still not sure whether to drive back to Vermont with it or not.
Any help of who to take it to between TX and VT would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim
'66mc5a |
TWO DOGS (63.185.96.107)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 12:40 am: | |
I'm in Amarillo...what kind of bus...is it converted? do you want me to drive down?
TWO DOGS.......359-1366 |
Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal) (4.63.41.14)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 1:22 am: | |
I'm glad everyone is OK. Very sorry that it happened to you. I hope it all works out... keep your chin up Tim. Bob |
tim terhune (69.6.128.27)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 1:46 am: | |
Two Dogs, Do you know who around these parts is experianced doing bus repair? The bus IS converted.
I mostly need an estimate of the damages at this point as I really don't see how this can be repaired. The entry door is in shreds and the doorway is crocked way out of shape. Two baggage doors are damaged as well as the fuel tank panel. The floor of one baggage door is crunched. The drivers side panel under the drivers window is buckled from the force of the front wheel well/door area being crushed.
We can drive, though my headlights are wacked out, but I'm seriously deliberating on the wisdom of continuing home to Vermont with the family on board.
Thanks for your number. It is reasuring to know there is someone nearby willing to help. I'll give you a call in the morning though I don't want you to trouble yourself to drive down here at this point.
Tim. |
John der neuby (199.232.240.126)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 7:57 am: | |
If I were you? I'd rent an rv to get the family home and
send the bus to ABC bus for repair.
RV rentals near you:
Toll Free: 888-GetRV-44 (888-438-7844)
Local: 214-696-5398
GetRV.com
7229 Kenny Lane, Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75230 USA
http://getrv.com/
I've seen ABC bus co rebuild buses in worse shape than
yours, as you describe it. They'll give you an estimate
and have towing services (last I knew; check again)
http://www.abc-companies.com/main.htm
MIDWEST 800-222-2875
SOUTHEAST 800-222-2871
NORTHEAST 800-222-2873
SOUTHWEST 800-222-2877
WESTERN 800-322-2877
Glad your all well!! That's all that really counts. |
TWO DOGS (63.185.64.92)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:24 am: | |
I'd at least try to find out if the wheels are still alinged....TOW BROTHERS in Amarillo...(OR)....If you want to park your bus...I have a few acres 100 miles northwest of you...My place is 25 miles n.w. of Amarillo....do you have any road service ??..fmca,aaa,good sams ?? |
TWO DOGS (63.185.64.92)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:45 am: | |
TOW BROTHERS.. 1-800-749-5486 they are on I-40.....on the left as you are coming into Amarillo ..... |
tim terhune (69.6.128.27)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 9:24 am: | |
John, Thanks for the tip on ABC. I've called them and they are coming across as VERY accomidating. They are offering to drop what they are doing to get me roadworthy to continue home.
Two dogs, I think the alignment is wacked like the rest of the front of the bus. I've already had to replace the front tire and wheel seal. Driving it it pulls to the right, so something may have to be done about that.
At this point it seems best to go on to ABC rather than back to Amarillo.
Thanks.
Tim.
'66 mc5a |
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.165.113)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 9:34 am: | |
About 3x miles SE from you as Amarillo is a coach converter in Mineral Wells, TX who seems to know his stuff.
Tejas Coach Works, Mineral Wells, TX 940-325-2332
http://www.tejascoach.com/
Or, if you want the big boys to help:
MCI Emergency Roadside Assistance
(800) 241-2947
And MCI has a Dallas branch, which of course can handle anything: (Hi $$$, probably!)
MCI Dallas Service Center
Scott Crawford, Service Manager
9787 Clifford Drive
Dallas, TX 75220
toll-free:
(800) 248-4942
phone:
(214) 366-5912
main phone number:
(214) 366-5900
Hopefully you have an ERS plan - I'd call them first if so.
Very sorry to hear about the situation. Keep us posted.
Chuck |
tim terhune (69.6.128.27)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 10:51 am: | |
After talking with the ins. folks, it looks like we're on our way to ABC. We'll probably have to rent a van or something to get home from there.
Thanks for all your help guys. I REALLY appreciate it.
Tim
'66 mc5a
ps. We've been running this trip with MIA displayed in the destination window. How proverbial. |
John da newone (199.232.240.103)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 11:29 am: | |
I remember picking up newly painted buses from ABC
back in the late '60s. If ABC is as good now as they were
then, you should be one happy camper!
Take care! |
Johnny (4.174.106.136)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 8:11 pm: | |
"I mostly need an estimate of the damages at this point as I really don't see how this can be repaired."
A good body man can fix ANYTHING. |
DaveD (64.235.206.155)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 10:43 pm: | |
Tim,
What happened? Did you make it home witout any further trouble?
Dave D. |
Timnvt (64.91.160.215)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 7:20 am: | |
Hi Dave,
Yes, we made it home without incident. Our trip was great, Hadley TX not withstanding.
Over 8000 miles in 24 days, Vermont to southern NM, to Tucson, to San Diego, to Sequoia NP, to Grand Canyon, to family in Carolina's, to Ogunquit ME, to VT!
No mechanical problems other than a starting problem which plagued us before our trip and sometimes made us have to jumpstart at the starting relay. But that's another story.
The ins. folks have been somewhat distant since our return home. I finally got a return call from the adjusted Friday, but I was out and he wouldn't speak with my wife! He supposedly will call again Tuesday. I'm sitting on pins and needles not knowing what I can "count" on for a settlement. I've resigned myself to the idea the bus is totaled, and though it can probably be repaired, it just isn't going to be worth it in my opinion.
I've been searching for a replacement MC5. There are a number of them out there ranging from 18,000's to 80,000 but ours was a unique setup being of an open design able to sleep and travel comfortably with a family of 8. So far I haven't found one conversion that would work for us, as is, without adding our overhead bunks. Because of this, I'm going to argue for the salvage rights to the bus so we can swap some of the conversion into the replacement.
Some of you have asked about parts. I'm open to the thought should I get the salvage, but there is not going to be much suitable body parts due to the collision. And seeing I am going to get another just the same I will probably do well to hang on to it myself. We will see.
It is a waiting game now with Progressive. They talk good, we will see how good their pen works.
Tim.
http://members.tripod.com/timterhune/Tims_Bus_Pages/id15.htm
ps. I've left a slightly damaged steer tire at Panhandle Road & Field Services in Clarendon, TX suitable for a tag or trailer. Any of you in the vicinity are welcome to it. I don't know how long he'll hang on to it. Just let me know. |