Last trailer repair question ?

[tprice]

Pardon my ignorance on this subject but I am not a machinist or metal guy

Welding shop called me today after getting my trailer that was rear ended couple weeks ago

Working up estimate for other driver insurance company and told me the trailer is over 1” out of square , maybe little more


I understand if out of square it can wear tires quicker, tandem axle trailer (16’ ) . Metal shop said tandem axle trailers worse than single axle trailer if out of square

How big a deal is this , trailer was fine before it was hit but I am sure State Farm will only pay me ACV of trailer which means it gonna cost me to replace it. I am fine with that if I need to do this

Shop’s estimate may be more than they want to pay to fix anyway just like to have all the information before I deal with them on settlement or repairs

TIF

[Luvin' Labs]

I'd make them pay me replacement cost. Screw them lowballing if you have to get a new trailer.

[tprice]

I'd make them pay me replacement cost. Screw them lowballing if you have to get a new trailer.

Not real worried about lowball offer just went down this route last year with another trailer and know how the system works

Just want to know what I really dealing with as far as condition of trailer

[scatter shot]

I'd make them pay me replacement cost. Screw them lowballing if you have to get a new trailer.

It doesn't work that way. You're way of thinking, if it was a 20 year old truck he should get a brand new truck. That aint gonna happen.
The claim will be settled on an actual cash value at the time of loss valuation. Also known as depreciated value due to age, wear and tear, etc.

Check you're emotions.

[tprice]

It doesn't work that way. You're way of thinking, if it was a 20 year old truck he should get a brand new truck. That aint gonna happen.
The claim will be settled on an actual cash value at the time of loss valuation. Also known as depreciated value due to age, wear and tear, etc.

Check you're emotions.

Yep. Basically why I would hope trailer is ok to repair Repairs will not cost my anything but if they pay what I would assume they would I am still going to have to come out of pocket at least $2k is my guess. But rather do that than have a trailer that eats up tires

I do not get bent out of shape over negotiations but have been around long enough to realize everything has a value , whether or not I like the actual amount I know an insurance company is only going to pay so much

After all it is an older trailer but in great shape

Just not sure how much 1” out of square really matters

[Luvin' Labs]

It doesn't work that way. You're way of thinking, if it was a 20 year old truck he should get a brand new truck. That aint gonna happen.
The claim will be settled on an actual cash value at the time of loss valuation. Also known as depreciated value due to age, wear and tear, etc.

Check you're emotions.

I know how the system works. Doesn't mean I wouldn't fight for it.

[scatter shot]

I know how the system works. Doesn't mean I wouldn't fight for it.

^^^ Yeah, I'd shut that shit down pronto.

[FULLCHOKE]

^^^ Yeah, I'd shut that shit down pronto.

Until you got a letter from an attorney and then you'd cut a straight check.

[Luvin' Labs]

It doesn't work that way. You're way of thinking, if it was a 20 year old truck he should get a brand new truck. That aint gonna happen.
The claim will be settled on an actual cash value at the time of loss valuation. Also known as depreciated value due to age, wear and tear, etc.

Check you're emotions.

^^^ Yeah, I'd shut that shit down pronto.

Just want to make sure we are on the same page as to who made it personal.

[tprice]

I'd make them pay me replacement cost. Screw them lowballing if you have to get a new trailer.

Funny, was on phone with State Farm today after I got estimate to repair trailer. Claim rep said they had already “assessed the damages and repair costs based on pictures “.

If you know me all I expect is for it to be fixed to same as it was before, not looking to “cash out” on anything

Well estimate to repair was more than I could buy a brand new trailer for , claim rep and I had long conversation to make sure I had an understanding of what I was reading. Told claim rep your repair costs are more than a new trailer would cost, all she could say is “that is what our independent assessment company came up with “. But the strange part is they are not considering my trailer totaled ?? She told me the money is yours to do what you want and we will not be picking up you trailer , if you fix it like your shop as proposed you just pocket the money

Last year I went round and round with USAA over a couple hundred bucks on a trailer that was obviously totally destroyed and they sent rollback to pick up what was left which had to cost more than it was worth as scrap .

State Farm has impressed me with ow they handled this so far, in fact everyone I have talked with has been very nice and helpful. Had to call good friend of mine that is a re inspector with SF for many years and tell him how impressed I was with them compared to dealing with USAA last year

[scatter shot]

You're obviously not dealing with Scatter Shots office or he woulda shot that shit down with a quickness. Ain't no way you're getting a new trailer on his dime. Pffft...

Dang SS. Why so salty this morning?

Because you made it personal with your bullshit comment above. I stand by my response.

Funny, was on phone with State Farm today after I got estimate to repair trailer. Claim rep said they had already “assessed the damages and repair costs based on pictures “.

If you know me all I expect is for it to be fixed to same as it was before, not looking to “cash out” on anything

Well estimate to repair was more than I could buy a brand new trailer for , claim rep and I had long conversation to make sure I had an understanding of what I was reading. Told claim rep your repair costs are more than a new trailer would cost, all she could say is “that is what our independent assessment company came up with “. But the strange part is they are not considering my trailer totaled ?? She told me the money is yours to do what you want and we will not be picking up you trailer , if you fix it like your shop as proposed you just pocket the money

Last year I went round and round with USAA over a couple hundred bucks on a trailer that was obviously totally destroyed and they sent rollback to pick up what was left which had to cost more than it was worth as scrap .

State Farm has impressed me with ow they handled this so far, in fact everyone I have talked with has been very nice and helpful. Had to call good friend of mine that is a re inspector with SF for many years and tell him how impressed I was with them compared to dealing with USAA last year

I'm glad that T's claim was settled to his satisfaction but still question why they would pay him more than a new trailer would cost. In his first post on this thread he said, "...trailer was fine before it was hit but I am sure State Farm will only pay me ACV of trailer which means it gonna cost me to replace it. I am fine with that if I need to do this"

So Lab, let me pose this question to you, or anyone else looking to buy a used trailer.

A- A brand new, double axle trailer cost $10,000. (guesstimate)
B- A similar, used trailer in good condition is for sale for $7000. Are you going to pay the seller new trailer price? ($10,000)
C- Or you can buy the same used trailer that has been damaged for $7000 and has $4000 worth of repairs needed for a total cost of $11,000.

Which deal are you going to take? It's a simple question.

And on another point, a question to the contractors on here that own and buy trailers as needed. What if one of your employees that is authorized to make purchases as needed, what would you think if the employee paid $11,000 for a used trailer that's only worth $7000 instead of buying a new trailer that only cost $10,000?

And a final point. If you as a customer, were to ask your insurance agent why you're rates keep going up +15% every year and he was to tell you, "... because we pay $11,000 for trailers that are only worth $7000."
Would you be happy with that response?

Sometimes common sense aint so common. (Lab Humper)


Once again, I'm glad this worked out for Tprice. No shade intended from here.

[tprice]

Because you made it personal with your bullshit comment above. I stand by my response.



I'm glad that T's claim was settled to his satisfaction but still question why they would pay him more than a new trailer would cost. In his first post on this thread he said, "...trailer was fine before it was hit but I am sure State Farm will only pay me ACV of trailer which means it gonna cost me to replace it. I am fine with that if I need to do this"

So Lab, let me pose this question to you, or anyone else looking to buy a used trailer.

A- A brand new, double axle trailer cost $10,000. (guesstimate)
B- A similar, used trailer in good condition is for sale for $7000. Are you going to pay the seller new trailer price? ($10,000)
C- Or you can buy the same used trailer that has been damaged for $7000 and has $4000 worth of repairs needed for a total cost of $11,000.

Which deal are you going to take? It's a simple question.

And on another point, a question to the contractors on here that own and buy trailers as needed. What if one of your employees that is authorized to make purchases as needed, what would you think if the employee paid $11,000 for a used trailer that's only worth $7000 instead of buying a new trailer that only cost $10,000?

And a final point. If you as a customer, were to ask your insurance agent why you're rates keep going up +15% every year and he was to tell you, "... because we pay $11,000 for trailers that are only worth $7000."
Would you be happy with that response?

Sometimes common sense aint so common. (Lab Humper)


Once again, I'm glad this worked out for Tprice. No shade intended from here.

SS I completely agree with what you said. Even questioned the claim rep about amount to be paid

Repairs for my trailer , as per welding shop estimate , were $1275 and on estimate it states “will attempt to get trailer square “ This is an older trailer but very well built. SF’s estimate (via damn pictures I sent them ) was almost $4500 This is a 16’ tandem axle trailer that can be replaced with a new one for right at that (will not have the heavy duty ramps like I currently have but strong enough to load my NH 1920 tractor on it when needed ).

In our conversation I asked claim rep when they would pick up old trailer, her comments to me is “we did not declare it a Total loss” and several times reiterated to me IF the repair shop finds any other damage to submit cost for those repairs as well .

Flat told me you can fix your trailer and pocket the money or buy you a new one, that is up to you. This is the amount we are paying you


In all honesty I expected them to pay me some where around $2K-2500 tops and keep old trailer

I know a couple grand is not gonna make or brake SF and as my buddy said you dealing with a company worth $128 Billion , he laughed and reminded me of his comment to me many years ago. “Common sense does not come into play with Corporate America most times “.

I will say this (SS not sure if you a SF guy or not) but this has been one of simplest claims I have ever dealt with. In last year I have dealt with 2 other insurance company’s, USAA and Allstate . Both of those were ridiculous to deal with and any claim rep I talked with was pretty much an asshole (both were minor claims ) Allstate was the worse, they tried to pull that crap where their insured was only 80% at fault and I was 20% at fault (I was sitting in one of my driving school cars in a parking lot and lady backed into my rear bumper , they stated they were only 80% at fault ) Total claim was less than $800 for damages but due to their BS I pulled the “this is a commercial vehicle that is based on an hourly rate” . The next day they deposited a check for $1200 in my business account for loss of use and after I filed a complaint with SC State Insurance Commission (on recommendations of one of my insurance clients, his quote was Allstate is bad about this knowing it is not enough to battle over ) they all of a sudden paid full 100% of claim.

Called them back and informed them that claim cost them extra $1200 since I would have not gone that route on loss of use had they not acted that way about initial claim.


Back to my Buddy’s quote “common sense and Corporate America do not co exist “

Hate to get long winded but SS I agree with you , this is the kind of crap that drives our cost of insurance up. My driving school insurance jumped from $6K year to $8200 a year this year for no reason at all other than this. My office building insurance has gone up as well as my personal Homeowner and Auto

[reeltight]

out of square is no bueno for anything you pull a lot or over longer distances.

[charlie horse]

The crucial square measurement is the axles and the tongue.

[Baggy]

The crucial square measurement is the axles and the tongue.

What he said.

[tprice]

The crucial square measurement is the axles and the tongue.

Reached out to very good friend of mine that has moved to Greenwood, sucker can do ANYTHING with metal. He is a retired machinist and when he lived here I loved watching him repair and re engineer things

He said same thing, he has built several trailers over the years. Even offered to run up and take a look at it for me to make sure but he knows shop it is at and said they are as good as they come

Thanks for all the advice, like I said I am no idiot but clueless about stuff like this and knew some of you folks would know exactly the questions I need to ask

Take insurance check for wrecked trailer, buy back wrecked trailer with salvage title, sell salvage trailer to mechecan, pool both monies and buy brand spanking new trailer.

In theory that is decent idea but my time is so limited I do not have time to screw with all that , end of day probably not come out any better

[FULLCHOKE]

The crucial square measurement is the axles and the tongue.

Yes, if you can get the shop to verify this, I'd go from there.

I just redid a trailer and the original axle was an inch and some change out of square from the tongue. I'm glad I checked before I put new springs and a brand new axle under it.

[WoodieSC]

I’m no mechanical expert, but an alignment issue is just that. It really depends on how much weight you haul, how far, what kind of speeds, and how often. If it’s just local, occasional use, I probably wouldn’t worry about it too much. If you’re hauling longer distances at 55+ mph, I’d hesitate to let it go.

I would want to see if the trailer shop, or a collision repair shop, could straighten it, or possibly, at least, square up the axles to eliminate or reduce the extra wear your tires will get. Figure a new set of tires and rims will currently run you about $500, so how long does that $2K you’re willing to spend stretch out? Only you can decide if it’s worth a trial risk.

[SaltMuck]

KRT.

[Tha Dick]

Take insurance check for wrecked trailer, buy back wrecked trailer with salvage title, sell salvage trailer to mechecan, pool both monies and buy brand spanking new trailer.