Broken Champion trailer...Any suggestions????

[Heath]

I have a 2001 Champion 206 Elite......The trailer completely broke in two on the frame between the two wheels. (tandem axle) Yes, I'm talking about the frame of the trailer not the axle.

I have progressive insurance, and they tell me(like I'm finding out that they tell everyone for every problem) that it's a wear and tear issue and they can't do anything about it. They told a friend of mine who hit a stump at Santee Cooper that it was not covered do to wear and tear. Go Figure.

Anyway, I called Champion and they tell me that my boat is a 2001 and they were bought out since then and they can't do anything for me. My trailer is an easy loader with the champion name all over it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me or have they ever heard of this happening to a trailer before.

Also, if you have Progressive Insurance, you might want to call the m and ask them a few questions about your coverage. I've talked with several people now about Progressive, and they all got the same sorry excuse when they filled a claim. "Wear and Tear" so that means anything that you use will have wear and tear on it and according to them, that's what caused the problem, even if you hit a log floating down the lake. Sounds like their loop hole to me.

Thanks Lea for inviting me to this site and I hope you guys can help. I'll keep you informed about what the insurance company does, and if they deny me , I would suggest you think about looking into some other Insurance company. It sucks to think you pay for something that you will never get.

Thanks
Heath martin

[Lea]

Glad you joined us, Heath. I wonder if EZ Loader can help. I had a Dri Doc trailer under my 99 Champ....was not sure who made yours. Present owner (a BBCeer ) replaced that trailer last year, due to rusting. The trailer he replaced was only about one year older than yours is, when he replaced it...

The tube trailers do rust from the inside out...can you see signs of that at the break? I am watching my current one carefully. If that is what has happened, sadly, the insurance company would be correct....wear and tear...

BTW, I have Travelers for home, vehicles and boat... No claims, so not sure how they will do.....Hope I never have to find out!!!!

[jbonsall93]

Can't help you with the trailer problems, but that is typical of a insurance company. They have no problem raising your premiums when they want to but when it comes time for them to pay out a claim they come up with every excuse in the book not to pay.

[gleninaz]

There is an annual survey here of 150 auto repair shops that does a ranking of 50 insurance companies and Progressive was rated number 50. Not so good.

[bobbymc]

You might have a welder take a look at it. There are many of them that carry a portable welder on thier truck. I have been with Allstate for 30 years and have had 3 claims with no problems. Bobby Mc

[fishman1]

HEATH, have you try calling the state insurance commissioner,i know someone else that did and they will tell you what your right's are,also if you need a boat call me,mike cecil-FISHMAN

[Backlash Ar]

Heath...why not give EZ Loader a call. what can it hurt?
http://www.ezloadercustoms.com/index2.htm

Your boat was made in Mtn Home, AR and there is a good possibility when the dealership changed hands (before Irwin Jacobs bought the company) they may have also have gone with a Dri-Dock trailer instead of the EZ Loader. Dri-Dock is no longer in business.

[Jim193]

This is my first post to the forum and I really like all the information on Champion Boats. I own a 2003 193 with a 2003 Yamaha 200 HPDI and absolutely love the boat.

I have Progressive Insurance and have had 2 claims in the last 8 months from hitting stumps with the propeller. Both claims were over $1000 were paid with a bare minimum of questions, just do you know what you hit and which lake was it on. I do have the replacement insurance so that in the event something happens and my boat is totalled, they give me the the original insured amount....not sure if that makes any difference. I specifically asked them about the trailer and if something happened to it and they said it would be covered under the policy, my only part would be the deductible.

[Lea]

Hi Jim...Welcome to BBC and the Champion forum. Glad you found us!!!

In this case, it would seem an 8 yr old trailer might have rusted. That would constitute wear & tear...sadly not a claimable deal. I wish Heath would update us on whether he found evidence of rusting at the break, or if it appears to have been damaged by hitting something...

[Heath]

Guys, there is a little rust at the break, but it could of rusted after it broke. I'm not sure when it broke in two, but looks to me like it broke almost all the way in two, and then the last little piece broke a little later.

I'm still going round and round with my insurance company...(Progressive)...come to find out I now know about 7 different people that they used the "Wear and Tear" excuse on them also. Seems to be an epedemic with this company.

Thanks Mike for the offer....I want to get my trailer fixed, but I'm afraid tofix it because it might not ever track right again, which could lead to more problems.

Wanna sell me your trailer.......LOL

Thanks again everyone.

[Todd Morgan]

I've got 2 206 trailers for sale..........one Galvanized and one Red.......2000 each. The glav trailer isn't a swing away and has maybe 3000 miles. There red one is new and has a swing tongue.

[203]

Heath, as someone else has said, have a welder look at it. If it rusted in two, you will have very little metal that will hold a weld, and you're in for replacement. If it is a stress fracture, it would be great to know what caused it (unbalanced tire with associated vibration ?? ) . If it is stress, you can have it rewelded and it will be fine. The welder can stick a piece of tubing inside, and plug weld it in, as well as butt weld the joint, and you'll be good as new for probably under your deductible.

Either way, the welder person knows what he/she's looking at and can tell you how good it will be repaired.

[Mr. Bassboat]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 203 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Heath, as someone else has said, have a welder look at it. If it rusted in two, you will have very little metal that will hold a weld, and you're in for replacement. If it is a stress fracture, it would be great to know what caused it (unbalanced tire with associated vibration ?? ) . If it is stress, you can have it rewelded and it will be fine. The welder can stick a piece of tubing inside, and plug weld it in, as well as butt weld the joint, and you'll be good as new for probably under your deductible.

Either way, the welder person knows what he/she's looking at and can tell you how good it will be repaired.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Very good answer. I agree. It's not that traumatic and can be easily repaired. Unless... the trailer was in salt water, in which case it's hosed.