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40sundeck240
505 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 11:52:43
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I was trailering my boat yesterday and there was a deep rut in the road from construction. I didnt realize for several miles that I had lost the brakes because of the way the boat was pushing my vehicle so hard. I stopped and saw a brake line on the port side with a broken fitting and obviously had no trailer brakes. I wasn't too far from home so my plan was to just keep the truck in low gear and drive really slow on the way home. A few miles from my house I hear bad vibration, look back and my two starboard side trailer tires are smoking. Stop imediately and see that they are rubbing in the fender well. I look underneath and see that the brackets that holds the cross member to the eye beam of the trailer had broken and this is why the brake cable had broken off. The trailer has torsion springs (dual axle). Really a LOUSY design now that I look at it because these 4 brackets are all that is holding all the stresses for the torsion springs, and braking. I removed the fender on the side of the road because the cross member was riding directly on the eye beam of the trailer now and figured I could hobble home (3 mph for 4 miles). I got the boat home and called boatUS (they were great by the way, I have never had to use them a single time in all my years boating). They sent a flat bet tractor trailer to my house and got the boat and trailer to my dealer. I just spoke with the dealer and they said at first glance I may need a new trailer because they dont want to weld onto anything for liability etc etc. They are going to get back to me by tomorrow.
Couple of questions: 1.Since this was caused by a hard construction rut in the road (in my opinion workers were fixing the road in several sections).
Would my boat insurance cover the replacement trailer?
If not:
Does homeowners insurance, or vehicle insurance cover a replacement trailer if that is necessary?
The Trailer is a 2004 model with very light useage and looks like it is brand new. It was sold to me as a package with the boat. It is properly rated for the boats load (7500 lbs rating, boat ways approx 5500). Its aluminum eye beam construction with galvanized cross members. There is obviously no signs of corrosion. The brackets broke at the weld points.
Any experts oout there that have been through something like this know if I am basically screwed and having to buy a brand new trailer or will insurance cover it? Im not calling the insurance company until I hear back from the dealership on what can be done or if it is a total loss. This could have been a catastrophic accident had a not caught it, the axel beam shifted a good six inches forward. I also noticed that the front axel beam bracket is showing some damage but it has held.
Finally any idea what a decent (not top of the line) trailer is going for these days, preferably aluminum eye beam, dual axel, surge breaks (electric over hydraulic this time) rated for approx 7500 lbs (bunk style not roller).
Thanks for any advice or help in advance. |
2004 SeaRay Sundeck 240 with 6.2L Merc + Bravo 3
Towed with 2009 GMC Denali XL |
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psalzer
USA
6203 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 12:11:36
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| Have you read your policy??? When I was using a trailerable boat my trailer was fully covered by my policy. |
Pete |
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BillK
1410 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 12:26:02
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| My policy (Boat US) covers boat and trailer. I don't think anything in your homeowners would typically cover this. You need to read your policy. |
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40sundeck240
505 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 12:26:15
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Hi Pete, I haven't re-read the policy yet. Got home from this "adventure" late last night and wanted to get the boat to the dealership asap so I worked on that first. Planning on reading it over tonight after I dig it up. I'm pretty anal about maintenance and safety checks and had just cleaned up the trailer, greased the bearings and checked nuts bolts etc before the trip out on Monday. I only towed it about 30 miles in each direction.
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2004 SeaRay Sundeck 240 with 6.2L Merc + Bravo 3
Towed with 2009 GMC Denali XL |
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Riverratt
USA
1059 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 14:15:06
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| I asked about my trailer when insuring my boat thru State Farm. They said the trailer was included up to a certain amount (I think around 2K). |
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papillon
USA
188 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 14:34:38
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Your policy will indicate whether the trailer is included.
Two years ago, I lost a triple axle boat trailer (boat was at the lake, fortunately) in my outbuilding from a 1100 acre wildfire that burned 11 homes and 13 outbuildings in my area. The boat insurance adjustor initially claimed that I didn't have trailer insurance because it was not stated in my policy. I had to show him the original boat purchase invoice (basis of the insured boat value) which included the trailer. Only then did he cover the trailer replacement.
Subsequently, my policy renewal includes "trailer coverage." |
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JoLin
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 10:03:21
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quote:
Originally posted by BillK
My policy (Boat US) covers boat and trailer. I don't think anything in your homeowners would typically cover this. You need to read your policy.
Same here (Boat US)- and, the Towboat US coverage I carry provides for breakdown assistance as well, with towing up to 100 miles. |
John and Linda
1999 Chris Craft 240EC |
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BillK
1410 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2010 : 10:58:33
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| This brings up something interesting. I have BoatUS for the boat and trailer, StateFarm for the cars and house. If I am towing my boat and have an accident that causes damange to the car, boat and trailer how does that work? Anyone been involved with something like this? I would like, like me, it is common to have different carriers for your car/boat. |
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Boat Insurance, cover the Trailer too? Pls Help.