Damage to underbody protection

[jhgf]

Hi

Just had an unfortunate incident whilst camping in northern Spain. Reversing up into the levelling chocks, they started to sink into the soft sandy base of the pitch. The van then rolled back quicker than animated and over the back edge of the chocks flicking the sharp front edge of the chocks up. This has resulted in damage to the underbody protection panels which now look very sorry for themselves.

The question is, does anyone know how much the panels cost if they are replaced by a VW garage? Is it costly enough to be an insurance claim or cheap enough to avoid contacting the insurance company?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[Alan Andrews]

Hi

Just had an unfortunate incident whilst camping in northern Spain. Reversing up into the levelling chocks, they started to sink into the soft sandy base of the pitch. The van then rolled back quicker than animated and over the back edge of the chocks flicking the sharp front edge of the chocks up. This has resulted in damage to the underbody protection panels which now look very sorry for themselves.

The question is, does anyone know how much the panels cost if they are replaced by a VW garage? Is it costly enough to be an insurance claim or cheap enough to avoid contacting the insurance company?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

It might prove useful to see some photos.
The plastic underbody panels are only held in place via a couple of screw fixings.
I found that if I drove through some deepish water at anything above walking pace then the first panel immediately behind the nearside wheel always dislodged and ground on the floor. I then started to carry some clips ties.
I would never look to claim against my insurance for something like this. Simply because for the next 3-5 years you have to declare that you have made a claim and you will incur increased insurance premiums.
I would look to remove the damaged panels and look to get them repaired....they are plastic, and there are plastic repair companies that can fix them. You might even be able to repair them yourself with a metal clip[ etc.
Also have a look around ebay etc to see if anyone is selling some.
Good luck

 

[Andy C Berks.]

Hi

Just had an unfortunate incident whilst camping in northern Spain. Reversing up into the levelling chocks, they started to sink into the soft sandy base of the pitch. The van then rolled back quicker than animated and over the back edge of the chocks flicking the sharp front edge of the chocks up. This has resulted in damage to the underbody protection panels which now look very sorry for themselves.

The question is, does anyone know how much the panels cost if they are replaced by a VW garage? Is it costly enough to be an insurance claim or cheap enough to avoid contacting the insurance company?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

I had something similar happen, both sides just in front of the rear wheels. The plastic wasn't broken and managed to get hand in behind it to push it out as its soft/cheap plastic and fortunately hadn't broken them in any way and its now unnoticeable that it ever happened. Sorry can't recall how the plastic clips to the body but I recall managing to work it out pretty easily. Hopefully yours are just the plastic needing to be popped back out rather than any major breakage

 

[owen_h]

I had to replace the full width plastic undertray that is under the engine back in 2017. A worker dropping roadwork cones and lights on the M4 dropped one into my path as I was passing and it put a big hole in the undertray (suppose it did its job and prevented damage to more vital areas).
Anyway it was £218 fitted at an independent garage but using genuine VW part. Think part was ~ £170 vs £75 for a pattern (non VW)

 

[jhgf]

 

[jhgf]

Here are some views of the panel. Alas it has split into across into two pieces but fortunately the bits are bent so holding each other up. Most of the plastic clips are still in place!

 

[jhgf]

Thule levelling chocks are obviously made of plastic that’s tougher (and sharper) than the VW plastic panels.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I’ll start searching for independent garages that deal with VW vans. I live in Poole/Bournemouth area. Anyone know someone cheaper than Breeze!!!

 

[Andy C Berks.]

Here are some views of the panel. Alas it has split into across into two pieces but fortunately the bits are bent so holding each other up. Most of the plastic clips are still in place!

Ouch that's so annoying. Hopefully somebody on here will have an idea of cost for the parts, and a local name to fit them - in theory should be quite easy for them if they have access to ramps to raise the van.

Used to use the ramps a lot, but after that time I don't think I have used them and they aren't even in the van currently !

 

[Alan Andrews]

Personally I would drill some holes to coincide in each panel and then use cable ties to pull everything together.