OMG
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
OMG
So, I take my beloved truck to the mechanic to get the springs done and....
He was torching the nuts and managed to light it up for me!!!
For freaking sakes!!
Now I own a puddle of freaking metal and goo that used to be an excursion and OMG what do I get to do now?
I used to use it for work (I'm an electrical contractor) and it was freaking perfect... the only thing missing was decent springs!
Holy Heck!!!!
He was torching the nuts and managed to light it up for me!!!
For freaking sakes!!
Now I own a puddle of freaking metal and goo that used to be an excursion and OMG what do I get to do now?
I used to use it for work (I'm an electrical contractor) and it was freaking perfect... the only thing missing was decent springs!
Holy Heck!!!!
Last edited by Stewart_H; Jan 19, 2012 at 12:18 PM. Reason: bypassing FTE word filter
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,881
Likes: 3,397
From: Ohio
I hope the mechanic has good insurance, the claim should be on him. If it was just a backyard friend of a friend, you might get stuck with the claim or have a fight on your hands with his homeowners insurance. That would fall under the comprehensive portion of the policy.
From what I have read on here, seems like the 7.3 trucks go for more than blue book value, so you might need to do some research on actual sales prices in your area to convince the insurance company to give you fair value.
That actually worked against me in my little escapade last summer. Kid has a 99 Caddy that caught fire in our garage. I got it put out right away, but the dash was a melted mess. We had just paid 4K for the car, but the insurance company came up with a value of nearly 7K based on recent sales of similar cars. I would have rather they totaled it out and gave me the 4K I paid for it, but they insisted on spending $4500 to have it fixed. So far so good on the fix, but I always wonder about that car.
I'm sure you are pissed, but in the end it's just a truck and can be replaced.
From what I have read on here, seems like the 7.3 trucks go for more than blue book value, so you might need to do some research on actual sales prices in your area to convince the insurance company to give you fair value.
That actually worked against me in my little escapade last summer. Kid has a 99 Caddy that caught fire in our garage. I got it put out right away, but the dash was a melted mess. We had just paid 4K for the car, but the insurance company came up with a value of nearly 7K based on recent sales of similar cars. I would have rather they totaled it out and gave me the 4K I paid for it, but they insisted on spending $4500 to have it fixed. So far so good on the fix, but I always wonder about that car.
I'm sure you are pissed, but in the end it's just a truck and can be replaced.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
Real sorry man. Plan on using your insurance for reimbursement and let your company go after his business policy. Keep track of all lost time/jobs due to the loss of the vehicle and time lost dealing with the loss and make sure you are reimbursed for all that. Also, insist on an equivalent temporary vehicle to make sure you can do your job as needed. Don't settle early for less.
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Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
Oh that's rough. Was the fire put out at all to save any part of it? If the engine was relatively untouched, that's still worth quite a bit of money. Hopefully it was the rear springs getting attention at the time.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
I hope the mechanic has good insurance, the claim should be on him. If it was just a backyard friend of a friend, you might get stuck with the claim or have a fight on your hands with his homeowners insurance. That would fall under the comprehensive portion of the policy.
From what I have read on here, seems like the 7.3 trucks go for more than blue book value, so you might need to do some research on actual sales prices in your area to convince the insurance company to give you fair value.
That actually worked against me in my little escapade last summer. Kid has a 99 Caddy that caught fire in our garage. I got it put out right away, but the dash was a melted mess. We had just paid 4K for the car, but the insurance company came up with a value of nearly 7K based on recent sales of similar cars. I would have rather they totaled it out and gave me the 4K I paid for it, but they insisted on spending $4500 to have it fixed. So far so good on the fix, but I always wonder about that car.
I'm sure you are pissed, but in the end it's just a truck and can be replaced.
From what I have read on here, seems like the 7.3 trucks go for more than blue book value, so you might need to do some research on actual sales prices in your area to convince the insurance company to give you fair value.
That actually worked against me in my little escapade last summer. Kid has a 99 Caddy that caught fire in our garage. I got it put out right away, but the dash was a melted mess. We had just paid 4K for the car, but the insurance company came up with a value of nearly 7K based on recent sales of similar cars. I would have rather they totaled it out and gave me the 4K I paid for it, but they insisted on spending $4500 to have it fixed. So far so good on the fix, but I always wonder about that car.
I'm sure you are pissed, but in the end it's just a truck and can be replaced.
May have to take him to claims court to get the difference between "real" value and blue book if his insurance flakes, but it should be a straightforward win.
What guy lights up a torch and doesn't have an extinguisher sitting next to him?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
This is by far a first I've heard of something like this, though I've always been weary. What caught fire? There shouldn't be sufficient fuel or oil by the springs to light, and even a few inches away while hot as hell, should not be enough to catch fire. Did the shop burn down with it?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 2
From: Greensboro, NC
Sorry to hear that!! If he is a legit shop then he should have insurance to handle this. Your insurance may handle the initial claim and then work with his company as others have mentioned. Definitely show loss of income if applicable and I would start trying to gather comparative sales numbers on similar Ex's since we all know they are selling for more than book - esp 7.3's! Hang in there!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
That sucks! Like others have said, it should fall under the shop's insurance policy. Sounds like the hassles are just beginning. Just be persistent, and DON'T SETTLE UNTIL YOU ARE HAPPY! Good luck, bro.