Monaco Dynasty crash. Major damage

[Preston W]

Hi, all we are heartbroken.We've taken such care of our Monaco Dynasty.baby. several hours ago on interstate 99, pulling into Bakersfield in the right lane.A dooley truck crashed into the right side with a huge impact doing major damage all the way up the side of the coach. Strangely enough, the coach is still drivable with all the systems intact. He missed the radiator and didn't blow our tires. But the body condition is just horrible. Rather than have a tow truck, take it to a yard.We are actually attempting to get it back home where we can find a place to get it prepared. Has anybody had an experience with us? We're located in the Phoenix area and are hoping that someone can repair rather just junk it!!

 the entire rear section by the radiator is gone, vent panel fell off the freeway and all of the storage doors have been damaged. We're afraid that the insurance company will total the RV,  which we love so much.  The body seemed to absorb the impact well. we have no slides.What are your thoughts on whether this can be repaired or not? We're a 1998 Monaco Dynasty.

[LakeBob]

Wow, so glad everyone is safe.  I understand your heartbreak, I would feel the same if someone ran into our Dynasty after all the blood, sweat and tears invested. 

On the plus side, it appears the damage is relatively superficial, mostly just fiberglass.  If all the mechanical systems are still functioning properly it should be a straightforward repair for a good fiberglass shop.   Appears most panels broke off at the belt line.  

Good luck with your insurance company, do your research, determine the real current value of the rig and don't take their first offer!

 

[Preston W]

Hi, like Bob very encouraging from you.I just know how these insurance companies are.And thanks again for your heartfelt thoughts.We are amazed that this guy came in and crashed into the rig but missed it our tow car.  Could have been a lot worse.I suppose. 

[Ivan K]

Sorry to see what happened to you and glad that it wasnt worse. I was in a similar situation few years back. If you consider repairing it whether insurance approves or not, I would suggest collecting the fiber pieces. It makes recontructing the corner and shaped parts much easier, I have been there. Metal parts could be reskinned or replaced. Best of luck!

Edited May 22 by Ivan K

[cbr046]

I totalled a big Honda motorcycle, bought it back from the insurance company and put my own labor into it's repair (after the ribs and collar bone healed).  Most of the damages were bolt-on fiberglass panels.  I restored it to original condition, no shortcuts and rode it another 80,000 miles.  I got lucky and the insurance company didn't convert the title into a salvage title, maybe because they didn't turn it into the state (I dunno, just a guess).

Visone could be a source for what you need.

Check your DMV laws in your home state. 

- bob

 

Edited May 22 by cbr046

[Preston W]

1 hour ago, Ivan K said:

Sorry to see what happened to you and glad that it wasnt worse. I was in a similar situation few years back. If you consider repairing it whether insurance approves or not, I would suggest collecting the fiber pieces. It makes recontructing the corner and shaped parts much easier, I have been there. Metal parts could be reskinned or replaced. Best of luck!

Unfortunately, this guy hit the rear, so hard that a lot of the fiber pieces fell off and were swept off the freeway.I don't know what happened to them including the large rectangular vent with all the fins outside off the radiator. I'm hoping that thay can maybe use a mold from the other side to replicate the curved corner of the rear end cap. We've taken lots of good photos of the rig over the years that they might be able to use as well.  this guy did a number on everything.But it's a miracle that all systems are working.We're camping out tonight in Tehachapi.And it looks ridiculous driving down the road but works. Just didn't want to leave it at a salvage yard.In Bakersfield, we've got all of our clothes and full refrigerator of food etc.On board. The California Highway Patrol led me off the freeway.And then I told my wife that If we can drive on the freeway let's get out of here!

[Donflem]

There is a shop in Victorville that belongs to a friend of mine that might have a 98 or a99 sitting there. I think I posted it a while back he was cleaning up his yard selling a bunch of stuff. I think I posted some stuff on the forum with pictures I will try and find out in the morning he has a couple of really good fiberglass guys that could fix that it’s kind of on your way home. M&M coach specialist 12137 industrial Blvd Victorville ca. 92395 909-627-6000 Jessie.

Don

[birdshill123]

You will be shocked at the cost to repair. Insurance will probably estimate way over $30,000. Remember labor rates are at least $150 an hour. I would take it to Algadones and have Navarro's do the repair. He carries a USA cell and speaks English. Call him and if he is interested send him photos. 

[RoadTripper2084]

I have no idea regarding what is required for a repair like this, but it does seem to me that if you could find a donor coach at an RV scrapyard you could simply swap in the good parts with the exception of the rear cap/corner. Even there, they could probably cut out the bottom corner and fiberglass in the replacement.  Then it's just a matter of paint.

 

[dl_racing427]

The nice part about Fiberglass is that with the proper skills, most any part can be reproduced.
Fortunately, you seem to have escaped structural damage.  I would take it to a truck frame shop and have the alignment checked before starting the body repairs, just in case there's unseen damage.

Good luck getting it repaired.  I love the older non-slide coaches.

[Donflem]

I found the picture of that salvage Dynasty at my buddies shop it’s a 1998 with fire damage in n the engine bay. I don’t remember how bad here is a picture might be worth  your time on the way home if you need help getting ahold of the owner call me. Don 714-514-3030
 

[Preston W]

5 hours ago, birdshill123 said:

You will be shocked at the cost to repair. Insurance will probably estimate way over $30,000. Remember labor rates are at least $150 an hour. I would take it to Algadones and have Navarro's do the repair. He carries a USA cell and speaks English. Call him and if he is interested send him photos. 

Thanks very much.I just heard back from the first body shop and they said thirty thousand dollars just to begin. Incredible.

[Ivan K]

2 minutes ago, Preston W said:

Thanks very much.I just heard back from the first body shop and they said thirty thousand dollars just to begin. Incredible.

I think that is reasonable, got about the same quotes +/- 3k five years ago and the visible fiberglass damage was less than yours but included a windshield. Settled at 27K check to do it in my shop. But I located the cleanup company (next day after asking the cop, when I calmed down) and retrieved the pieces, it wasn't too hard to reconstruct using the old shapes. Junk yards would only sell a complete cap at a crazy cost. Just labor was estimated at ~14K in the final appraisal by a third party pro. And thats years back. Good luck which ever way it goes.

[Paul J A]

Try https://eliternr.com/120-2/   It's what they do.

[rockbust]

I bought my 2008 Beaver contessa with the whole side wiped out. A bit more extensive than your. I will tell you the repair was a huge amount of work. I did the repair myself but I would agree 30k plus. Making molds sounds easy but is is not. First you need to make a buck. Then create a mold. Then create the part. 

I could not find any body parts for mine. I had to create them all. 

 

[birdshill123]

Elite does  not do body work. But they are super talented!

[Preston W]

12 hours ago, dl_racing427 said:

The nice part about Fiberglass is that with the proper skills, most any part can be reproduced.
Fortunately, you seem to have escaped structural damage.  I would take it to a truck frame shop and have the alignment checked before starting the body repairs, just in case there's unseen damage.

Good luck getting it repaired.  I love the older non-slide coaches.

Thank you so much for the good thoughts.We've made it home driving straight through to Phoenix and I'm very encouraged by comments such as yours.I need to find a first class shop.We love those old monacos too without the slides and we just can't stand to have this baby totaled.We will probably buy it back and spend whatever it takes to make it right.

Best

[Preston W]

12 hours ago, Donflem said:

I found the picture of that salvage Dynasty at my buddies shop it’s a 1998 with fire damage in n the engine bay. I don’t remember how bad here is a picture might be worth  your time on the way home if you need help getting ahold of the owner call me. Don 714-514-3030
 

Thanks what a great lead.One body shop told me they were gonna have to completely fabricate the doors for that side. would have been a lot easier to call salvage yards.I'll look into this and thanks again.

5 hours ago, rockbust said:

I bought my 2008 Beaver contessa with the whole side wiped out. A bit more extensive than your. I will tell you the repair was a huge amount of work. I did the repair myself but I would agree 30k plus. Making molds sounds easy but is is not. First you need to make a buck. Then create a mold. Then create the part. 

I could not find any body parts for mine. I had to create them all. 

 

I am truly astounded that you did the fiberglass work yourself.This is one great looking coach.Absolutely.Amazing that you had to figure out and do it congrats

[jacwjames]

There is a huge RV salvage operation in KY,  Visione RV, they have a 1999 model Dynasty  https://rvexteriorbodypanels.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M240599/s1.pl?

They will ship and if you need more then one door it would probably make it worthwhile.  Send them a request.  They know the value of their parts so be prepared. 

My wife caught a post exiting a fueling station and I though I may have to replace a couple doors and other stuff so I contacted them.  I didn't get the doors but they were able to get me the piece of aluminium hinge that the door attached to.  REVrvparts may stock some of the metal components.

 

One member on IRV2 who rebuilt a wrecked coach bought a whole front cap from them, he gave them the measurements and the cut it off, he took a trailer and picked it up along with other stuff.  >>>>> so you may be able to them to cut off the rear drivers side corner. 

 

Last item I bought from them was a transmission cooler but while I was there I asked the salesman about getting any parts listed on their website,  He said it is best to call, have as much information as possible (year/make/model of coach, part number, location) and they would do what they can to get it. 

[StellaTariche]

[Preston W]

21 hours ago, Ivan K said:

I think that is reasonable, got about the same quotes +/- 3k five years ago and the visible fiberglass damage was less than yours but included a windshield. Settled at 27K check to do it in my shop. But I located the cleanup company (next day after asking the cop, when I calmed down) and retrieved the pieces, it wasn't too hard to reconstruct using the old shapes. Junk yards would only sell a complete cap at a crazy cost. Just labor was estimated at ~14K in the final appraisal by a third party pro. And thats years back. Good luck which ever way it goes.

Thank you very much for the insight. All the  information.I get is very helpful. I'm sure the insurance company is gonna want to total it.It's an old Monaco with no slides but we've  taken  such good care of it.I guess we'll have to look at fixing it as a salvage vehicle. Still waiting for our insurance company to tell us anything.

2 hours ago, jacwjames said:

There is a huge RV salvage operation in KY,  Visione RV, they have a 1999 model Dynasty  https://rvexteriorbodypanels.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M240599/s1.pl?

They will ship and if you need more then one door it would probably make it worthwhile.  Send them a request.  They know the value of their parts so be prepared. 

My wife caught a post exiting a fueling station and I though I may have to replace a couple doors and other stuff so I contacted them.  I didn't get the doors but they were able to get me the piece of aluminium hinge that the door attached to.  REVrvparts may stock some of the metal components.

 

One member on IRV2 who rebuilt a wrecked coach bought a whole front cap from them, he gave them the measurements and the cut it off, he took a trailer and picked it up along with other stuff.  >>>>> so you may be able to them to cut off the rear drivers side corner. 

 

Last item I bought from them was a transmission cooler but while I was there I asked the salesman about getting any parts listed on their website,  He said it is best to call, have as much information as possible (year/make/model of coach, part number, location) and they would do what they can to get it. 

Thanks for the link on the Kentucky yard.I will check that out.

[cbr046]

40 minutes ago, Preston W said:

Thank you very much for the insight. All the  information.I get is very helpful. I'm sure the insurance company is gonna want to total it.It's an old Monaco with no slides but we've  taken  such good care of it.I guess we'll have to look at fixing it as a salvage vehicle. Still waiting for our insurance company to tell us anything.

Thanks for the link on the Kentucky yard.I will check that out.

When I totally my bike it never left the garage.  Keep a frequent and open dialogue with your insurance contact, especially if you have possession of the title.  They don't want to haul it off to a salvage yard any more than you do. 

@Donflem's buddy appears to be the same color, except for the trim paint.  Plus the Visione salvage yard in KY.  @birdshill123 mentioned Navarro's in Algadones (MX?).  Lots of good options without breaking the bank. 

Good luck,

- bob

 

Edited May 23 by cbr046

[Preston W]

Talkwd to the guy in Kentucky, he'll sell me the doors for about $650 each, which is a killer deal, but it's a 1999 dynasty and we have a 1998. .I'm investigating if they are the same exact size.

[Ivan K]

Have you tried the local salvage places around Phoenix?

[rockbust]

4 minutes ago, Preston W said:

Talkwd to the guy in Kentucky, he'll sell me the doors for about $650 each, which is a killer deal, but it's a 1999 dynasty and we have a 1998. .I'm investigating if they are the same exact size.

How many doors in total do you need. Honestly the doors were not bad to fabricate and your look easier since they are hinged on top.   I used 1-1/2 u channel aluminum for the frame. ridgid insulation inside the door and home depot sell this white fiberglass in sheets. I had a online shop bend the door skins.