Fiberglass Damage to Casita

[Caryfb]

Last night, while traveling at 55 mph, a large deer collided with the front of my Casita causing substantial fiberglass damage. Can anyone recommend a firm to repair this damage so that my Casita is whole (and beautiful) again? I live in SW Colorado (Pagosa Springs/Durango area) and the closest large cities are Santa Fe or Albuquerque. Thanks for your help

[Donna D.]

Cary, to FiberglassRV, we're glad you're here

Sorry your first post was about this kind of need... wow. There are lots of kind and helpful people here on the forums. I'm sure someone will be along shortly.

Can you post a picture? We love pictures and although would prefer one of you and a smiling face of a "whole" Casita. The picture may help others, help you.

[tractors1]

Check into boat repair shops, they deal with fiberglass all the time. Nice thing about the Casita is the undamaged side will give them a shape to duplicate, not like bashing the pointy end of your boat into a log........
Charlie Y

[Carol H]

Sorry to hear about the accident. Must have been a bit scary!

If no boat repair shops you might want to check around to see if there are any auto repair shops specialize in repairing old corvettes.

[Shirley LaMoine]

So sorry to hear about the suicidal deer and the damage it caused to your Casita. Be ready for sticker shock where ever you end up having this fixed. Repairs can be VERY expensive.

Shirley

[Caryfb]

Thanks for the thoughts. Luckily, I have insurance on the Casita (minus $500). I contacted a boat repair place and they do "patches" and said they can't guarantee that I won't be able to notice the difference.

I found a place closeby ("Bodean's, Durango, CO) that has been recommended by local RV dealer. I'll see what they say

[Carol H]

Cary does your insurance company not have suggestions on where/who can do the repair for you?

[deryk]

check out corvette restoration places..they do fiberglass work. And yes might be real hard to match gelcoat.... might end up being painted if its a real large area. If your casita is newer insurance should pay for it. I have for the first 8 years full replacement on a total..so Im sure the $1200 to have mine painted (The marina where my boat used to be before Sandy) was $100 a foot to prep and awlgrip paint it.

[cpaharley2008]

Was the deer harmed?

[Dave Fish]

When ours got crunched, our insurance co recommended a couple of RV repair shops. The one we chose was 70 miles. They rebuilt the roof, repaired cabinets, and replaced broken parts like the Fantastc Fan. They had 2 fiberglass specialists on the payroll. In tne end, you could not tell that it had been damaged.

Ours was a small project for them since their normal vehicles are class A or C, fifth wheels, school busses, fire trucks, and full body paint on semi trailers.

Great place but in the Seattle area.

[Caryfb]

Thanks for the great responses

I've found a body shop closeby that will do my repairs. They do repairs on fiberglass Corvettes and their work is great, so I'm hopeful. The cracks are all the way through the side into the interior. Luckily, it's the wall next to the bath so it is pretty accessible

Unfortunately, the deer is 10-7

[Glenn Baglo]

See this then:

Five roadkill recipes to try at home - Telegraph

[papa-t]

10-7 must be in my line of work.