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  Discussion on Trailer Accident-Repair or replace?
Author Message
Member:
9193

Posted on Monday, Nov 7, 2005 - 1:50 pm:

Hello All,

I have three good friends (who are also barn buddies) who were involved in a scary trailer accident this weekend.

My driver friend had just merged onto the free way and was in the far right lane accelerating to 40 mph when a small car in the middle lane hit a UPS type truck( which was in the fast lane). The little car flipped over and in order to avoid the little car, the truck swerved to the right to avoid hitting the car, but in the process collided with my friend's horse trailer and got hung up on TOP of the left wheel cover of her trailer. Miracuously, neither the trailer or the truck flipped over when the driver of the truck was able to pull the truck to the left to get the truck off the top of the wheel cover of the trailer.

The two horses inside were shaken, but unhurt. My three dear barn friends are unhurt. The trailer (a steel, two horse slant Sundowner) held up amazingly well. The most noticeable visual damage is to the left wheel cover which looks like someone took a giant knife and sliced an opening thru the cover from the front tire to the back tire and the wheel cover is pulled away from the body of the trailer ranging about 1/2- 2 inches from front to back. There is a demarcation at the front of the trailer from top to bottom which shows a broken light at the top, a straight indentation clear down to the front of the wheel cover where some part of the right side of the truck banged against the trailer as they were stuck for a distance going 35-40 miles an hour before the truck was able to disengage from the trailer. The tires never blew and after the CHP investigation, they were able to drive back to the barn and unload.

The question is... Where do you start to evaluate whether your trailer can be fixed back to the original integrity or are trailers like helmets.. once they have been whacked pretty good in an accident like above, should you just think about replacing them?

My friend who owns the trailer will start making phone calls to Sundowner (in Oklahoma, where the trailer was made) to hear their recommendations.

This is unknown territory for many of us at the barn who own trailers and I am turning to members of HA for your thoughts, experience and suggestions on how one goes about reassuring oneself that a trailer is safe enough to use after an accident.

Many Thanks,
Debra
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Nov 7, 2005 - 2:14 pm:

Personally, I would think it could be repaired, but I would want repairs done at the factory where it was built.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Nov 7, 2005 - 2:14 pm:

btw - Thank God the accident was no worse than it was and your friends and their horses are safe!
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Monday, Nov 7, 2005 - 2:30 pm:

You don't necessarily have to go to the factory. I had an axle replaced at a place that built and specialized in trailer repairs and they made my 3hgn Circle J better than new. I got lucky, as the Les Shwab (tire repair Co.) recommended this place. Be diligent about references. EO
Member:
Canter

Posted on Monday, Nov 7, 2005 - 4:15 pm:

Yikes! What a horror story. SO glad people & horses did not suffer any injuries.

I think your friend has the right idea: contact Sundowner. They should be able to recommend a reputable dealer/shop where the trailer can be evaluated & repaired.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 8, 2005 - 7:34 am:

It sounds repairable but a thorough evaluation of the frame, axles, and welds should tell for sure. In general metal is far more resilient than stiff molded plastics.
DrO
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