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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
  
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I'm sure a lot of you have experience with this, but it's a first for us. We have a Lakota LQ trailer, less than a year old. It's insured. It has under 2000 miles on the tires. Still have the little nubs. I believe one was possibly defective. We had a blow out this weekend that ripped off the fender, punctured and dented the siding. Damage to interior foam in a few small (1" areas) spots. Scratches all over. Ripped out wiring. Bent up the framing on a drop down window.
I contacted insurance and although the trailer hasn't been seen by anyone yet, the agent said they typically just patch the punctures. Is that normal? We love this trailer and have been meticulous with how we care for it. It hasn't had a scratch on it. So shouldn't a fully covered trailer get full repair? I'm not sure how one would patch aluminum skin in a way that it would look brand new still? And as far as the window goes, they need to replace it, right? Not just bend it back out? They don't even cover the blown tire. Would love to hear experiences as I am super bummed about the state of my trailer. |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
 
Location: Oklahoma | I would contact Lakota and get a quote from them on what the trailer part would cost to fix and then do the same with the LQ company
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| That does not sound correct. Get an adjuster out to look at it. If you have the trailer financed you might have to call the finance company to get the insurance company jacked up a little. Finance companies do not want to take a trailer back because insurance won't pay for major damages. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| That's crazy!! I would definitely call Lakota and see what they have to say. Maybe they can help guide you some. "Patching" doesn't sound good at all! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | What kind of tires are on the trailer? I had one blow and GoodYear warrentied the tire. I could have went after them for the claim of the trailer, but didn't want the hassel. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Missouri | I had a trailer claim years ago and my insurance had me get quotes for places and they paid less my deductible ! Since mine was not that old I got one from trailer manifacture and then I had 2 from RV places that did body repair. All were pretty close but I chose the manufacture and it looked just like new- they replaced the full sheets of the aluminum on the sides - nothing looked patched.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 863
| What load range tires are you using if you don't mind me asking? I've heard nothing but nightmares with people having Lakota blowouts. I was told you need to specify to Lakota now when you order you want G or H range tires not E? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | We just had hail damage repaired on our Lakota that was less than a year old when the storm hit it. We got a quote from NRS in Decatur as they have a good shop. Our insurance didn't bat an eye...just paid the quote for the damage. They do not patch anything....they replace any side panels that need it and any part that might be damaged right down to the sewer vent cover on the roof. Any side panels that had a ding from hail they replace and re-do all the graphics etc. I sure do not think patching is right.
Lakota is great to work with as well. We had NRS install a flip up step on the escape door while they had it...we called Lakota and they shipped the step to NRS for us. Easy peasey.
Who is your insurance with? A lot of times the insurance companies just don't know alot about these newer LQ trailers with the aluminum skin etc.
It may be you hit something on the road that caused the tire to blow...but look at the numbers on the tire and you can figure out the date of manufacture. New trailer doesn't mean those tires didn't sit on a shelf a long time before use. Doesn't hurt to know their age.
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | The insurance is thru American National Property & Casualty. It was recommended by the dealer we bought from and had the best premium and deductible. But I'm sure we will be changing once its due.
My husband spoke with the agent again this morning as we realized it looks as if the axle is bent. She is now saying they will hire an adjuster to come look at it, and if the adjuster says the axle could have possibly been bent prior to the blow out, they will not cover any damage...???? Why do we have insurance? The trailer is only lightly used, I have no doubt that it wasn't bent prior. But even if it was, isn't that why we have the insurance? Hubby is going to call Lakota when he gets off work and see what's going on. I'm not sure what the tires are rated, it's whatever they came with. I'll have to go look. But they are Towmax which we are now reading are complete crap. |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | Never ever put Chinese made trailer tires on anything. I bought a brand new goose neck flat bed trailer and loaded my skidloader on it. Was not even close to the rated weight for the trailer. 3 of the tires never made the first 100 miles and the tread came off of the tires and they blew out.. I have always had better luck with Light truck tires. A lot more liability at stake for a tire manufacturer when a tire is on a persons vehicle than when its just on a trailer when it blows out. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Missouri | Make sure your husband is thier when the adjuster comes out. Don't stress. I hope it all goes smoothly for ya |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| If the place you bought it from also does repair it might not hurt to call them, have them get you a quote and also let them know the insurance company THEY recommended is giving you the run around. I'd probably call them even if they don't do repairs and let them know you aren't happy with their recommendation, if they have a deal with the insurance company to recommend them it might light a fire under them to make some phone calls.
I wasn't given a tire option when we bought our Lakota, even though I pointed out I felt they were too light. We hauled all last summer with them just fine but plan to replace them as soon as we can after we put new rubber on the dually. Nice to know you can go heavier now. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Bingo, do you have any (hopefully good!) news yet? |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | None yet :/
We have to wait for the adjuster to come out, hopefully early next week. Also have an appt to take it up to the guy who will hopefully be fixing it to get an estimate. Since the tire isn't covered by insurance, we thankfully have a warranty on the tire and are attempting to go thru them. The tire had to be taken up for inspection, and although they HAVE agreed to cover it, they're stating it's out of good faith. But that they believe the trailer was overloaded for this rating of tire. I was hauling two horses. But it's a 10 ply tire with load rate E. I'm not a big tire guru, and I'm sure these aren't some amazing tires, but shouldn't they be sufficient being as how they came stock? The lady said she highly encourages us to replace all of them because there's likely separation to some degree on all of them, and they won't cover it again.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | ~BINGO~ - 2017-03-30 8:25 AM
None yet :/
We have to wait for the adjuster to come out, hopefully early next week. Also have an appt to take it up to the guy who will hopefully be fixing it to get an estimate. Since the tire isn't covered by insurance, we thankfully have a warranty on the tire and are attempting to go thru them. The tire had to be taken up for inspection, and although they HAVE agreed to cover it, they're stating it's out of good faith. But that they believe the trailer was overloaded for this rating of tire. I was hauling two horses. But it's a 10 ply tire with load rate E. I'm not a big tire guru, and I'm sure these aren't some amazing tires, but shouldn't they be sufficient being as how they came stock? The lady said she highly encourages us to replace all of them because there's likely separation to some degree on all of them, and they won't cover it again.
Do you know what brand of tire that was? I'm trailer tire shopping, and now you have me worried! |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| ~BINGO~ - 2017-03-30 10:25 AM
None yet :/
We have to wait for the adjuster to come out, hopefully early next week. Also have an appt to take it up to the guy who will hopefully be fixing it to get an estimate. Since the tire isn't covered by insurance, we thankfully have a warranty on the tire and are attempting to go thru them. The tire had to be taken up for inspection, and although they HAVE agreed to cover it, they're stating it's out of good faith. But that they believe the trailer was overloaded for this rating of tire. I was hauling two horses. But it's a 10 ply tire with load rate E. I'm not a big tire guru, and I'm sure these aren't some amazing tires, but shouldn't they be sufficient being as how they came stock? The lady said she highly encourages us to replace all of them because there's likely separation to some degree on all of them, and they won't cover it again.
Get tire brand and tire name and check for a recall on the tire. I had a blowout on my truck, demolished the side. That night on the news a recall on BF Goodrich tires was mentioned. I checked and the recall included the model of my tire. There were several lawsuits against BF Goodrich. There is a number that will tell you when the tire was manufactured (which you need to check anyway) Sometimes places get deals on old tires. I will try to find a link on the date for you. |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| streakysox - 2017-03-30 3:35 PM
~BINGO~ - 2017-03-30 10:25 AM
None yet :/
We have to wait for the adjuster to come out, hopefully early next week. Also have an appt to take it up to the guy who will hopefully be fixing it to get an estimate. Since the tire isn't covered by insurance, we thankfully have a warranty on the tire and are attempting to go thru them. The tire had to be taken up for inspection, and although they HAVE agreed to cover it, they're stating it's out of good faith. But that they believe the trailer was overloaded for this rating of tire. I was hauling two horses. But it's a 10 ply tire with load rate E. I'm not a big tire guru, and I'm sure these aren't some amazing tires, but shouldn't they be sufficient being as how they came stock? The lady said she highly encourages us to replace all of them because there's likely separation to some degree on all of them, and they won't cover it again.
Get tire brand and tire name and check for a recall on the tire. I had a blowout on my truck, demolished the side. That night on the news a recall on BF Goodrich tires was mentioned. I checked and the recall included the model of my tire. There were several lawsuits against BF Goodrich. There is a number that will tell you when the tire was manufactured (which you need to check anyway ) Sometimes places get deals on old tires. I will try to find a link on the date for you.
https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/how-to-determine-the-age-of-your...
Here you go!!!!
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Replace all tires. Nothing made in China, Japan, Etc.
If you have a Discount Tire Company close try and go through them as they warranty all tires and will rotate, mount and balance for free., As long as you keep up with the rotations through them they will cover the tires in the event of a blowout, a flat tire, etc. They have mobile trucks that can come to you should you have a flat and need a repair on one of their tires.
You need to get an estimate on the repair cost from Lakota and present this to your insurance company.
If they refuse to pay, have the trailer fixed anyway and hire an insurance attorney.
Have the attorney go after them for cost and they will usually settle outside of court.
Also, get Lakota to look at the Axle. If the Axle is bent it needs to be determined if the blow out caused the bent axle or if the bent axle cause the blowout.
If the axle caused the blowout, Lakota needs to pay for a new axle.
If the tire caused the bent axle, the tire company needs to pay.
Once all of this is settled, GET A NEW TRAILER INSURER!!! Lol  |
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Expert
Posts: 1956
Location: Ky | This is an insurance issue. Not a Lakota issue. But I would want Lakota to do the repairs and put back like it was.
The insurance should pay for all damages minus the deductable. Except for the tire. The insurance will not pay for the tire. You shouldn't have to fight them over this but if you do then just fight them. I've heard many bad stories about ANICO. But they still have to pay for covered losses. Don't let them bully you. I would even tell them you need a trailer while this one is out of service. Replacement should be covered in your policy. |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I did tell them I needed a loner trailer while this one was out of use and they said I'm not covered for that, although we have full coverage, I had assumed that would be part. But apparently it's not.
We unfortunately cannot go thru Lakota as we bought this trailer out of Alabama and do not have any Lakota dealers nearby. I have, however, been in contact with Lakota and they are more than happy to work with us, and even said we could grow thru them since we have full warranty on the trailer. Unfortunately, again, we are so far away from them. Lakota said they have all parts readily available for shipment as soon as our shop orders.
The one tire is partially covered (a whole 70% of $85, lol). The rest are what they are and we will be purchasing new, probably before the trailer can get fixed even.
We just want our trailer fixed and scratchless like it was before this mess. Now we are either hauling with a friend or in our little git-around trailer. Hoping this repair doesn't take forever. I'm worried it will be months before it's back on the road. |
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