LocalmotionSC
Member
It pains me to say it but, after living on the road for 4 months in our old 2wd sportsmobile ("Big Blue"), it may be headed to the scrap yard after a freak rainstorm in Detroit Michigan.
(Skip this paragraph to skip my dramatic rambling)
Over the last 4 months we forded some rivers, made it through some pretty substantial rock garders, mud, and sand, and took it down many "4x4" roads (including the White Rim Trail, the Burr Trail/Wolverine Loop, Horse Canyon, Long Canyon (Canyonlands), Shafer Switchbacks, Saline Valley Road, Hole in the Rock Road, Hartnet Road/Cathedral Valley Loop, Potash Road, and Ophir Pass (in May). We survived brake failure on two occasions (once in the middle of Saline Valley and once going down Long Canyon in Canyonlands). Our van held up over constant jaw rattling washboards, rocky trails, mud, sand, and dust without so much as a flat tire. However none of this led to the demise of "Big Blue." Instead it was a freak storm that brought up to 10 inches of rain to the Detroit area in one afternoon. The parking lot we were parked in was below street level and had inadequate drainage. Water was flowing in from the street like a rushing river and before long the water in the lot had rose to almost waist high. Almost all of the vehicles in the lot were flooded and the water was just below the floor of our van. In a (probably misguided) attempt to save our ride, our home, and every possession we had with us over the last 4 months I decided to try to move the van before the water got too high. The water was only to the top of the bumper and the air filter was at the top of the hood (so I thought) I could safely get it out of the parking lot to higher ground before the water rose and flooded the interior of the fan and all our electronics. I was also feeling confident after our other successful water crossings. What I didnt know was that the air filter had a tube running down to the wheelwell and sucked air up from quite low in the engine compartment. Just as I was rounding the corner of the parking lot in sight of high ground the engine sputtered and cut out. My heart sank. I knew what I had likely done but was hopeful that the engine just needed time to dry out. After 3 days and no luck I threw in the towel and contacted my insurance company.
Flood damage is covered under under my comprehensive insurance and the insurance company was ready to call the vehicle a total loss before even seeing it.
Does anyone here have any insurance dealing with insurance companies in regards to sportsmobiles or other custom campers or expedition rigs. My concern is that the insurance company will treat the Sportsmobile as any other Ford Econoline and not properly value it. I'm looking for any advice, past experiences, etc.
Also I would hate to see my old sportsFlood damage is covered under under my comprehensive insurance and the insurance company was ready to call the vehicle a total loss before even seeing itmobiel go to the scrapyard. I am considering holding onto the van, taking what the insurance company will give me, and selling the van to someone who would like to fix it or use it for parts (Top is in OK condition, fridge, furnace, inverter, and stove all work, water pump works but very powerful, gaucho stayed dry, and has new cabinets/counter. I don't have a price yet as I'm waiting on the insurance company for figures. But if you are interested in buying, PM me.
(Skip this paragraph to skip my dramatic rambling)
Over the last 4 months we forded some rivers, made it through some pretty substantial rock garders, mud, and sand, and took it down many "4x4" roads (including the White Rim Trail, the Burr Trail/Wolverine Loop, Horse Canyon, Long Canyon (Canyonlands), Shafer Switchbacks, Saline Valley Road, Hole in the Rock Road, Hartnet Road/Cathedral Valley Loop, Potash Road, and Ophir Pass (in May). We survived brake failure on two occasions (once in the middle of Saline Valley and once going down Long Canyon in Canyonlands). Our van held up over constant jaw rattling washboards, rocky trails, mud, sand, and dust without so much as a flat tire. However none of this led to the demise of "Big Blue." Instead it was a freak storm that brought up to 10 inches of rain to the Detroit area in one afternoon. The parking lot we were parked in was below street level and had inadequate drainage. Water was flowing in from the street like a rushing river and before long the water in the lot had rose to almost waist high. Almost all of the vehicles in the lot were flooded and the water was just below the floor of our van. In a (probably misguided) attempt to save our ride, our home, and every possession we had with us over the last 4 months I decided to try to move the van before the water got too high. The water was only to the top of the bumper and the air filter was at the top of the hood (so I thought) I could safely get it out of the parking lot to higher ground before the water rose and flooded the interior of the fan and all our electronics. I was also feeling confident after our other successful water crossings. What I didnt know was that the air filter had a tube running down to the wheelwell and sucked air up from quite low in the engine compartment. Just as I was rounding the corner of the parking lot in sight of high ground the engine sputtered and cut out. My heart sank. I knew what I had likely done but was hopeful that the engine just needed time to dry out. After 3 days and no luck I threw in the towel and contacted my insurance company.
Flood damage is covered under under my comprehensive insurance and the insurance company was ready to call the vehicle a total loss before even seeing it.
Does anyone here have any insurance dealing with insurance companies in regards to sportsmobiles or other custom campers or expedition rigs. My concern is that the insurance company will treat the Sportsmobile as any other Ford Econoline and not properly value it. I'm looking for any advice, past experiences, etc.
Also I would hate to see my old sportsFlood damage is covered under under my comprehensive insurance and the insurance company was ready to call the vehicle a total loss before even seeing itmobiel go to the scrapyard. I am considering holding onto the van, taking what the insurance company will give me, and selling the van to someone who would like to fix it or use it for parts (Top is in OK condition, fridge, furnace, inverter, and stove all work, water pump works but very powerful, gaucho stayed dry, and has new cabinets/counter. I don't have a price yet as I'm waiting on the insurance company for figures. But if you are interested in buying, PM me.