Caught on a gate post

NewtonTree
NewtonTree Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited February 2017 in Caravans #1

Hello all, bit of a long shot but I was wondering if anyone can shed some light.

When travelling on our holidays I caught the back left end of our caravan on a (large) stone gate post when pulling into the campsite (it was a very tight right turn as you went through). Anyway, after a few words with myself I assessed the damage and lucky for me the caravan was wedged against the post so I couldn't drag it further which would have pulled the back off. However I noticed that I had a crack all the way along the front panel which wasn't there when we left home.

So my question is:

Could the front damage be caused by the impact at the back and me trying to pull away (the car and caravan were at nearly a ninety degree angle to each other).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited February 2017 #2

    Caravans being a flimsy box construction and trying to understand your description of the event, I would say it's quite possible.

    We (I!) did a similar thing by catching the rear awning rail on an overhanging wall pillar which pulled the back corner away from the side but damage was localised to that area, still costing over £7k to fix!

    I would say that a more important consideration is to get your insurance assessment done so that the necessary spares can be ordered as this is likely to cause far more frustration than worrying about how the damage was caused?

    At least if there were 2 separate causes of damage they should hopefully be fixed with the one repair slot.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #3

    I would let the Assessors make that call - and inform them pronto - I did what I thought was minor damage to the top corner at the back of my caravan and found out that I SHOULD have made a claim for a whole new back panel - some £3000 worth!  By the time I discovered it was too late to let the insurance company know. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited February 2017 #4

    It sounds unlikely but if it was and the back also needs a repair then at least there is only one excess.

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #5

    The rear quarters of caravans have caused more problems than most ! In the early days I caught mine once or twice- not badly - just a rub on the awning rail etc but it certainly made me aware of the problem. My OH is also fully aware and almost by instinct leaves the car to act as banksman when she detects tight gateways etc. I hope you get the van sorted. 

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited February 2017 #6

    Impact damage at the back shouldn't cause damage at the front. If you were nearly at 90 degrees, sounds as if the front of the van was pressing on the back of your car. That could cause a stress crack.

  • Sandgroper
    Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
    edited February 2017 #7

    My van is in repair atm after a nasty contact with a gatepost 9feet above ground!!! The clever bricky had managed to decorate the post with a corbled course at the top. Unfortunately my mirrors showed enough space at the van's wheel height.

    More care will be taken in future!!

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