Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Repairs & Service
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-28-2023, 02:28 PM   #1
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Darn Snow Bank!

Well it happened. Pulling back into our place (30" snow on the ground) the Montana slipped sideways, got into a snow bank and damaged the skirt on the rear end; could have been worse.

I think I can fix this and end up with just a scratch or small crease if I wait for a nice warm day. I may have to take the piece off to straighten it. Anybody have experience straightening out a skirt bent like this? I think replacing it would be expensive since it would have to be painted to match. I know, insurance would cover it (after $500 deductible) but I think it worth a try to fix it.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2023-01-27 12.50.21.jpg
Views:	57
Size:	175.4 KB
ID:	13990   Click image for larger version

Name:	2023-01-26 10.42.31.jpg
Views:	52
Size:	330.5 KB
ID:	13991   Click image for larger version

Name:	signal-2023-01-26-213213.jpg
Views:	67
Size:	178.1 KB
ID:	13992  
 
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2023, 03:55 PM   #2
rames14
Montana Master
 
rames14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
Scott, Ron Marlin got one of those creases. Came out pretty good.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
rames14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2023, 04:46 PM   #3
AZ Traveler
Site Team
 
AZ Traveler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,899
M.O.C. #20477
Scott, If you are not comfortable with it a body shop can likely get it close without replacing.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL

"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
AZ Traveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2023, 05:11 PM   #4
DutchmenSport
Montana Master
 
DutchmenSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,544
M.O.C. #22835
A car clipped the passenger side rear corner of my High County and then ran while I was pulled into a gas station. He left me with a really nice bent up J panel skirt and the end cap pulled out slightly. The red marker light was broken also.

There wasn't anything I could do at that time except get mad, which didn't help anything. And I did not want to claim it on insurance with the deductables, a hit and run with law enforcement and insurance, and really screw up the trip we were on. After looking at it more careful, it wasn't so bad after all. I did pick up another red marker running light and got it working again and just left the dent.

Once home, I removed the marker light and used the hole to help pull out the dent. I found out there was plywood on the end cap that was shattered and swelled up. I was able to push the plywood back in place the best I could, I replaced the J trim on the end, and was able to pull the aluminum out using the hole for the light. And then, because it wasn't perfect, I pumped a ton of caulking, putty into the plywood on the corner and screwed it all as tight as I could. I put a new piece of the J trim on. I then spray painted the brown looking aluminum with Rust-o-lium black. It blended in very well, hid all the scratches, and cleared up the dent look that remained. After a few days, the black spray paint blended in with the brown (fading) and 3 years later there is absolutely no difference in the paint color now. The dent is still there, but it's all, pretty much, vacuum sealed tight.

I figure, if I ever get hit again, THEN I'll claim that corner on insurance. My makeshift repairs probably would survive a second time.

So yes, you can fix it yourself. If you are so inclined, you can remove the J panel and hammer it back out. But that will mean taking things apart. I did not want to do that.

Now, when you look at my camper's corner, unless you are standing right up to it, it's not noticeable at all.
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
DutchmenSport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2023, 06:17 PM   #5
Foldbak
Montana Master
 
Foldbak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #30417
Wow.....that took some #%^'s to pull that in snow Need some clean cajones?
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
Foldbak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 12:48 PM   #6
dieselguy
Montana Master
 
dieselguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
Nothing to do with being judgmental, but I'm a flatlander sitting in front of my computer, looking at a dually chained up, a photo of a 4' measuring stick buried more than 2/3 of the way in the snow, and a hollowed-out alleyway in a snow bank and just have to know (if I may) ... what caused the urgency to have to hook up in the first place?
dieselguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 01:23 PM   #7
Carl n Susan
Site Team
 
Carl n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,324
M.O.C. #4831
Dieselguy: Scott was returning home from Q.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB

Carl n Susan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 01:26 PM   #8
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Quote:
Originally Posted by dieselguy View Post
Nothing to do with being judgmental, but I'm a flatlander sitting in front of my computer, looking at a dually chained up, a photo of a 4' measuring stick buried more than 2/3 of the way in the snow, and a hollowed-out alleyway in a snow bank and just have to know (if I may) ... what caused the urgency to have to hook up in the first place?
Coming home; it was not like that when we left. It's ok, I posted it and can take the hits!
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 02:00 PM   #9
dieselguy
Montana Master
 
dieselguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
Like I mentioned ... the curiosity had just gotten the best of me ... but I was hoping for a better tale ... Ha!
dieselguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 03:08 PM   #10
AZ Traveler
Site Team
 
AZ Traveler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,899
M.O.C. #20477
Life does not favor the timid.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL

"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
AZ Traveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 05:02 PM   #11
Arkware
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Mena
Posts: 504
M.O.C. #17723
So sorry Scott.
It looks much like my tail-swing incident.
Remove jpanel, place on cloth pad and beat it with rubber hammer.
Use wood block to work on creases.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20220104_111530.jpg
Views:	16
Size:	263.6 KB
ID:	13996   Click image for larger version

Name:	20220104_140541.jpg
Views:	23
Size:	220.5 KB
ID:	13997  
Arkware is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 05:06 PM   #12
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Thanks. I'll work on it when it warms up about 50 degrees.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 07:07 PM   #13
Lee-CI
Montana Master
 
Lee-CI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #30262
All I know is that it took some serious big brass ones to continue driving home pulling your baby with that much white stuff on the ground.... Just glad that was the worst that was done.
__________________
Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
Lee-CI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2023, 09:51 PM   #14
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee-CI View Post
All I know is that it took some serious big brass ones to continue driving home pulling your baby with that much white stuff on the ground.... Just glad that was the worst that was done.
Almost made it; just 30 yds short of the shop.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2023, 07:56 PM   #15
wed
Montana Master
 
wed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: woodstock
Posts: 541
M.O.C. #8174
Oh Darn so sorry guys
__________________
Ed
Montana Master
Woodstock Ga
2020 3931 FB Legacy
wed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2023, 08:20 PM   #16
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Merely a flesh wound.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2023, 08:32 AM   #17
BB_TX
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,133
M.O.C. #6433
You can get some basic body working tools pretty cheap at Northern Tools or Harbor Freight.


https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
BB_TX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2023, 08:51 AM   #18
DanC
Established Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Hillsboro
Posts: 25
M.O.C. #27172
I damaged the same skirt..I ordered one from my local dealer. It came prepainted and all I had to do was install it. The skirt cost was about 165.00
DanC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2023, 10:48 AM   #19
richeyb
Montana Fan
 
richeyb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Mountain Home
Posts: 121
M.O.C. #22661
Checkout “Paintless Dent Repair” on the internet and you tube. I’ve pulled several parking lot dents from my vehicles. System is with hot glue and pull tabs work pretty good for most minor dents and creases.
__________________
Idaho, 2017 Montana HC 380, Cummins Onan Gen,Step Above Morey steps, Progressive 50 amp surge protector
Winegards Playmaker Satellite Dish,Anderson Hitch, Solara Slide-out Toppers
richeyb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2023, 12:30 PM   #20
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanC View Post
I damaged the same skirt..I ordered one from my local dealer. It came prepainted and all I had to do was install it. The skirt cost was about 165.00
Is that with full body paint?
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.