Deer Season

[myvan010]

While on a load from Atlanta to greenville North Carolina I was resting while the wife was driving, I hear " OH S##T" then bam. First I thought we just got in a wreck. Well we did but not with another car/truck but with a 8 point buck while driving on 20 east between the 111 and the 112. Did a considerable amount of damage but was still able to finish the load..Everyone is ok and the van made it back home..
Now time to wait for the insurance to see where we go from here,Hopefully it won't be long before we can get back out...
So please be careful out there and watch out for the wildlife.

 

[xiggi]

Sorry to hear that hopefully they get you rolling before too long.

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[paullud]

I have seen way more bucks getting hit this year.

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[xiggi]

The does went into a kind of false heat with the early cold snap in many areas. The bucks started the crazy season early because of it but the does weren't really ready so the bucks have been wandering around senseless like wombat in a singles club.

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[skyraider]

While on a load from Atlanta to greenville North Carolina I was resting while the wife was driving, I hear " OH S##T" then bam. First I thought we just got in a wreck. Well we did but not with another car/truck but with a 8 point buck while driving on 20 east between the 111 and the 112. Did a considerable amount of damage but was still able to finish the load..Everyone is ok and the van made it back home..
Now time to wait for the insurance to see where we go from here,Hopefully it won't be long before we can get back out...
So please be careful out there and watch out for the wildlife.

You guys were lucky, thank goodness your ok. Had some near misses myself, it is a O'sheetze moment to say the least.

 

[seekerman]

I feel your pain. Bu it can happen anytime of the year, anywhere. This past June I was driving I-175 north and was just below the exit to Bowling Green OH at 1:30 in the morning when two does suddenly appeared in my lane. One went left and one went right. I went right. Biggest does I've ever seen. Never hit a deer before and I felt real bad about it. Caused over $8,000 to the sprinter and put me out of work for 3+ weeks. Because of many close calls the previous fall I had been planning on having a guard installed on the vehicle but kept putting it off and ultimately paid the price. I have since had one installed. Additionally, I've adjusted my headlights so that I can see much further down the road. In that light, I've got a 2004 sprinter, and had a difficult time finding one for 2002-2006 sprinters. Only two places in the country where you can get one. One is in the Northwest and they want $1,000 for theirs plus shipping. The other is in New York. I paid $595 for that one with $200 shipping. I happen to have an extra one if anyone wants it at a discount. PM me with a phone number for details if interested. Good luck to everyone with hopes that you never have to experience a deer strike.

 

[Slo-Ride]

For sure they are on the move.
My van just got out of the body shop a week ago after a sucidual doe took out the front grill, 2 lights and drivers door. Still cant figure out how the L/fender was complety untouched. Funny things happen @ 60 mph I guess.
No road kill stew for the driver as a flat bed finnished the job right behind him.

 

[tknight]

Do those guards really help or do they just hold the meat off the road for easier wrapping?

 

[xiggi]

You have to spend the bucks on a heavy quality guard. Those cheaper ones just fold. I have heard that because the way sprinter frames are made guards can cause damage to the frame in some cases. No idea if that's fact but worth researching before purchase.

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[Turtle]

Yep, on many vehicles, but especially a Sprinter, a guard can actually cause more damage to the vehicle than one without a guard. Instead of the crash parts absorbing the impact, the impact gets transferred farther back into the vehicle, the driver area and the frame itself.

Of course, the thing you hit, how heavy it is, will determine how severe the frame or inside of the van area will be affected. A deer, since it's relatively light and will give a lot when you hit it, isn't as likely to do much in the way of severe damage. But if you hit another vehicle, something much heavier, all of that energy gets transferred right through the guard and into the vehicle frame and other areas.

So, if the only thing you'll ever hit is a deer, then a deer guard is probably fine. But do keep in mind that the most commonly used euphemism by body shop personnel for "deer guard", 'brush guard", and "bull guard", is... "Damage Multiplier".

 

[guido4475]

The does went into a kind of false heat with the early cold snap in many areas. The bucks started the crazy season early because of it but the does weren't really ready so the bucks have been wandering around senseless like wombat in a singles club.

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Now, that's way too funny!!! lol....(Wombat in a singles club).....lol..

 

[myvan010]

UPDATE-----The insurance informed me that the van is going to be a total loss, So now I am on the hunt for a replacement van,If I can not find one by the end of the week I may just wait until after the first of the year to get one....The issue I am right now is trying to find a extended (155 inch) wheel base. I am entertaining the thought of a sprinter...we will see how this plays out

 

[Slo-Ride]

UPDATE-----The insurance informed me that the van is going to be a total loss, So now I am on the hunt for a replacement van,If I can not find one by the end of the week I may just wait until after the first of the year to get one....The issue I am right now is trying to find a extended (155 inch) wheel base. I am entertaining the thought of a sprinter...we will see how this plays out

Has the damage gone beyond just sheet metal damage?
You did state the van finished the trip and made it back home. Is there any chance you can do or get repairs done cheaper then the Insurance will do it for.

My van just went thru this..F/grill, lights on the left front, and the drivers door was crushed. I handled the repairs myself and came in way under the deductible. Cost came in at 450.00 including paint. It was done thru a freinds body shop so I know I really got a good guy price. Propely not the best repairs but its a work truck and looks good from 20ft away

 

[OntarioVanMan]

UPDATE-----The insurance informed me that the van is going to be a total loss, So now I am on the hunt for a replacement van,If I can not find one by the end of the week I may just wait until after the first of the year to get one....The issue I am right now is trying to find a extended (155 inch) wheel base. I am entertaining the thought of a sprinter...we will see how this plays out

Mine was scrapped out as well and I just bought it back as Salvage..

 

[myvan010]

Well here is what has happen since my last post,
I tried to buy back my original van from the insurance company but because the was a small balaced owed they said I could not,I even offered to pay the small balance off in cash and buy it back and it was a no go, So as of today 12-2 I have purchased a new to me 06 express 3500 extended with a 6.0 liter engine. With the exception of a few minor fixes I got a great deal, I will start the upfitting tomorrow and since I had already done the measuring and cutting to fit on the old van, I will now only have to install everything as before.
So i will back in service late Tues. or Wens. Just couldn't stay away from all the fun we have out on the road..

 

[paullud]

Well at least you will get back out on the road soon to start earning. The repairs might have taken longer than you upfitting it.

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