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Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:19 am

Life was going well, I had my fleet of Vanagons with my 2WD Doka being the King of them all, hell even St Paddy's Day was right around the corner. Then we got a wet, heavy snow storm on the Oregon Coast; I never thought the snow would last long and with my Doka parked in its usual spot under neath the douglas firs in my backyard, I never thought to worry. But doug firs are the weeds of the Coast Range, fast growers, and week as dry pasta when it comes to high winds and heavy snow.

Well about 1:30 Am on Tuesday the whole neighborhood was awoken by the sound of the crashing limbs. When I went out side it was a mess, I couldn't even get in close, but I knew for sure the Doka would not escape unharmed:

Yes even my 1989 Westy was damaged (windshield, sm nose dent, rear bumper, and rear wheel well and panel):

My Doka took the blunt of this:

The rear side door:

My once beautiful gates:

I've been in shock for the last 48 hours, little sleep, lots of coffee. I have full coverage with State Farm for both vehicles, I've already started claims. Got an estimate of $2K to fix my Westy.

Took the Doka around town to my limited body shops. Still havn't heard from one yet, another felt my pain, but wouldn't touch it recommended an old experienced guy in North Bend, he took a look and says he could repair my cab and replace and match my gates, and door for $9K.

I told him I could source the replacement gates (already on that) and will look into a door (got a few leads). In regards to the door, Pawel in Europe has a replacement but we are stumped on how to reasonably ship it, anyone have any suggestions? I believe my insurance would pay for it.

This shit storm sucks, especailly the damage to the cab; however it is a miracle that none of my windows were broken; especailly the rear cab and my $300 rear slider. The gates also protected my bed from damage which I believe would be harder and more expensive to replace. The guy willing to do the repairs comes recommended as being quality, but if he goes to bang back that cab into shape, he'll have to finish with filler. Is there hope for this Doka, will it now be considered less valuable?

Anyway enjoy the drama and don't park beaneath Doug Firs, they suck! :x

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:28 am

That sucks. Hope it all is resolved to your satisfaction sooner than later.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:32 am

Very sad... :( Sorry for your troubles.

Clearcut Coos Watershed! :D

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:33 am

Carnage! not a good day for vanagons.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:38 am

Phewee...that's rough! Really sorry to see this. I hope it all works out repair wise.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:40 am

aaaw man so sorry to see this, take solace in it could have been worse even totaled, so you may have gotten a little lucky...still a shame so sorry again best wishes on both of them you obviously have cared well for the vehicles

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:44 am

Oh, man. Your beautiful vans... so sorry. I hope, after all the frustration, lost time, repair and expense you enjoy them again.

Also: hope eventually you feel better than the guy in the pictured Alfa.

Locally last summer, an old eucalyptus tree's limb fell on a nearby car and killed the driver (she was waiting for the green arrow in a left turn lane). Glad at least you are safe.[/img]

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:47 am

oh man :( so sorry to hear about your vans

Ive had that happen before but my jetta wasnt loved like my vanagons were and are

Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:07 am

Man, I feel your pain. Reminds me of one particularly bad storm in San Francisco. I left an unbolted Westy top on one of my vans which the wind picked up. It flew some 20 feet and missed my two Dokas but surgically landed on my Ruf 911SC roof. I've now got a a rough roof on the Ruf. :lol:

Anyway, replacement roofs are available again and can be ordered from your VW dealer. The problem is willingness from your dealer as Dokas were not sold through the US dealer network as you know. I bought one from a Doka being cut-up in Maryland. As for the rear door, I might be able to get you one in San Francisco. Gates too. It won't be dirt cheap but not as difficult as shipping from the EU. Trust me, I know. I've shipped a couple of sets of alloy gates, 4th doors w/ entire jambs, and even a soft canopy and a Vindic shell. Paid Pawel for delivery to a shipper in Hamburg. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend that party because the experience was not without drama.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:27 am

Bman wrote: [/img]I believe my insurance would pay for it.
Talk to your agent. Talk to the adjuster (do NOT piss that person off.) Your agent is "supposed" to be your advocate. Make sure they understand that.

Be careful, they may well just attempt to total it all too. There are threads about this very topic of damaged vans and insurance. Yours are no different than those that are involved in moving accidents.

I HOPE that what happened is considered and act of God and is covered. Some policies do not cover wind damage, for example.

Read your policy and talk to your agent.

Sorry for your loss.

Best to you.

FYI: A good metal man can fix a lot of the damage perfect. The gates, especially the rear one will be a challenge. If it bent one way it can be bent back. Just a matter of time which is money.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:10 am

:bay_blue: Sorry for the loss! :( Now I'm even more happy that I have agreed value insurance, no need to go back and forth with them! I get what I think it's worth! PS I think I'll look out for trees! :D

Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:51 pm

Sorry to see these pics, hope you can get them fixed right!

I'd make sure that the trees are nothing but stumps!

Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:03 pm

Thanks for the love and pity. I am trying to get all my homework done so I can sail through with the insurance and repairs.

I just need to settle on a body smith and push the claim through to see how the adjuster (nice adjuster, nice adjuster...can I get you some tea? coffe? homemade beer?) treats or cheats me. That is the anxious part.

Already sourcing some possible gates and maybe doors too within NA. Will still need to confirm with the body smith on skills to restore that roof. Anyone in the PDX Ory-gun area know of a good and willing VW dealer who maybe able to source me some new panels through VW Classic Parts?

Anyway will document the process here as it may potentially help the community.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:34 pm

Ouch! Sorry to see the damage. I hope you make it out whole in the end. :(

Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:42 pm

Damage to the roof? I would almost expect the insurance to try to total it right out the gate.
Good luck :cry:

Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:49 pm

:(

i hope you get them both back their original condition soon

Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:09 pm

That sucks. Good luck on restoring them.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:49 pm

oh man I am sorry to read this Bman. this is a really tough hand of cards.

I know this can be fixed. good luck.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 2:57 am

http://www.volkswagen-classic-parts.de/shop/

They have the rear gate listed on this site, the door, and the rear truck window panel. Pricing is pretty good. I would source all of the parts here. I was able to order my Doka Treasure Chest doors from here using a VW dealer in California. OEM original parts.

Tony

Thu Mar 15, 2012 5:20 am

tpinthepack wrote: http://www.volkswagen-classic-parts.de/shop/

They have the rear gate listed on this site, the door, and the rear truck window panel. Pricing is pretty good. I would source all of the parts here. I was able to order my Doka Treasure Chest doors from here using a VW dealer in California. OEM original parts.

Tony

Tony,

Were there any shipping charges on top of the VW Classic parts price?
I've used Rennie at Santa Monica VW before and when he was at Pacific VW (both in Southern California). However, I have been able to get a response from him on either phone or email recently.

A word of caution about VWCP, there is some talk that some of the parts they sell are the same aftermarket parts we can already buy from the likes of Bus Depot, VanAgain, Bus Boys, Just Kampers, CIP1, and Van Cafe (just to name a few) for less money. I don't have personal experience to relate but were told by people I've dealt with for years. In one example, it had to do with ignition switches. In another situation, it was a front wheel arch which was supposedly the same Danish made part sold elsewhere for less than half the VWCP price.

I think it is admirable that VWCP went to the trouble of canvassing retailers and shops in several parts of the world including the US when they set-up shop. It's great that they returned some parts back into production. A good example are the Syncro 16" arches (wheel flares). It wouldn't be so good to create the impression that we are asked to pay VW dealership prices for non factory parts. Of course, the tricky part (no pun intended) is they are licensed by VW. Does that then mean any part they offer should be considered as "factory parts"? I suppose I will find out soon enough once I have to order parts that I can't get from anyone else. :wink: