Thread: Write off ????

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I have been unimpressed by most of the tray mounting systems I have seen on Landrovers and, indeed, many other four wheel drives, particularly the way in which weight is carried only at each end of the tray. The original body on the Landrover chassis, while only attached front and rear, carried weight at several intermediate points, minimising the bending moment on the chassis.

It may be worth mentioning that the traditional method of mounting flat trays on chassis was to have a full length wooden spacer that fitted both the tray bearers (usually flat) and the chassis - contoured to fit in the case of Landrovers and other light vehicles. This spread the weight, although it did encourage rust between the wood and the chassis.

As I read your reply that was the thought that came to my mind, before I read the final paragraph

The trucks where I have built onto the chassis I have done just that, with bearers running the full length of the chassis and U-bolts at regular intervals. Rust was inhibited with a layer of pitch or rubber between them.

OK

If you hit a washout that is your accident not fatigue. And you need in my view to stick to the point, that’s what caused the chaise damage. Forget the road conditions because you will simply not get up.

In your case even if the insurer were to argue the chaise bend is fatigue related and tests showed fatigue. Subject to what the report said the argument I’d be considering is that yes there may be some sign of fatiguing however the cause of the actual chaise bend was the impact from the washout. Fatiguing is present in all chaises to differing degrees.

With the transfer case your argument is that it was caused by the chaise damage and most importantly the insurer instructed you to drive it.



A few other points made in other posts I’ll respond to.

Keying a vehicle while deliberate by the perpetrator it is not intended by the owner and therefore is accident damage by the policy cover/definition. Deliberate damage to the vehicle by the owner is not accidental in nature and despite any exclusion or not is not covered.

Damage caused by fatigue/wear and tear in itself is not accidental damage because it is a natural consequence of using the vehicle and fatigue/wear tear repairs is not covered.

Originally Posted by disco2hse

.......Rust was inhibited with a layer of pitch or rubber between them.

Exactly - the potential for rust needed special measures to prevent it; not always implemented!

John

Rang the insurance company today to check up on where they were up to with my truck (write off, no we won't cover you, yes we will).
The chassis has been repaired already!!!! The assessor said that he hadn't given the repairer the go ahead but he had it on his machine and didn't want to take it of and have to put it back on again so he just fixed it. ($2650).
Truck is with a mechanic now to check out the TC.
Will keep you posted on the TC.

Cheers

Originally Posted by hagus

Rang the insurance company today to check up on where they were up to with my truck (write off, no we won't cover you, yes we will).
The chassis has been repaired already!!!! The assessor said that he hadn't given the repairer the go ahead but he had it on his machine and didn't want to take it of and have to put it back on again so he just fixed it. ($2650).
Truck is with a mechanic now to check out the TC.
Will keep you posted on the TC.

Cheers

Good stuff. Glad to hear it.

good luck chap what a run around hope it comes good

Good luck with the Insurance company, hope they pay.

Im surprised they let you put airbags on it though, that's a fairly major mod.

My brother in Law is a Boilermaker, on extended fishing trips up to the Cape he used to stop in at stations and fix their Bull catchers, weld up chassis, fix bar work etc for a bit of cash, paid for the trips he reckons.

The only thing ive heard about chassis repair is that the vehicle is never the same afterwards, the few i know who had this problem (couple of landcruisers and a Pathfinder) sold off the vehicle to be someone else's nightmare lol, as the problems do take awhile to surface, uneven tyre wear, new cracks in chassis, windscreen etc.

Sorry Fish 78, should have been clearer. The airbags are the firestone helper variety.
I'm not that concerned about the chassis repair and I intend to keep the vehicle for a long time to come as we love the set up.

Cheers