fj45 destroyed while being delivered in Central Valley

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These super traxions look pretty good on my 45!
 
workingdog said:
@seth - how far down into LA are you?

@thecrazygreek - yes, I'm thinking sandblasting the entire thing.

It got hot enough to shatter all the glass and plastic and flatten the tires. But not hot enough to burn or melt the tires and the top looks to be in decent shape.
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It didn't even melt the plastic Land Cruiser emblem above the driver's fender! That's encouraging :)
 
workingdog said:
I thought about the roof too as an indicator of how hot it got. The roof looks okay and the tires are flat but not melted.

I’m going to stay tight on the insurance. Iv’e already told the delivery broker to let them know I want it.

So, the insurance company is going to want to deduct it’s ‘salvage value’ from my payment. How much is it worth? $500?
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[10 years ago, but I hope my experience is still somewhat relevant.]

When I was t-boned in my 1983 HJ47, the other driver's insurance company declared my truck a total loss and offered me ~$3000 based on "comps" that they found, which turned out to be 1983 FJ60s that they had found for sale. I explained to them that that was a different, more common type of Landcruiser and I provided them with alternative comps of actual HJ47s in the US that were for sale. They did not argue with my valuation and paid me about $9K-$10K for it. In order to buy it back from them they charged me ~$300.

This is my only real experience with something like this, but I'd be very surprised if you are able to get both an insurance settlement and a clean title.

Think of it only from this perspective: you are currently facing fees of $200/day storage, fees for which you rightly deserve to be reimbursed. That reimbursement is going to come from either his insurance company or your insurance company only if you file a claim, and if you file a claim you will be subject to their rules.

If the insurance company determines that the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds its value (prior to the accident), they will declare it a total loss and are bound by law to report it to the state of California (CVC §§11515 11515.2), to ensure that if the vehicle is ever registered again it is done so with a salvage title.
 
@workingdog here's a sneak peek with the acorn hubcaps. I believe these are very close to stock configuration, and pretty cheap. STA Super Traxion
Image from iOS.webp
 
billmc said:
It didn't even melt the plastic Land Cruiser emblem above the driver's fender! That's encouraging :)
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That's because it's metal on the early trucks! 🙃
 
workingdog said:
Why not as a daily driver?
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They are not radials and not so sure they have "super traction" in wet weather. on a 45 with no weight in the back i would imagine they might like to slip and slide a bit on acceleration and braking. Also a little bit lumpy every morning on colder days. With that said, i like mine, look good and are cheap but my FST does not see wet weather unless a storm pops up.
 
Lil'John said:
I'm not sure I'd trust the rims... I would go with the expectation of having to buy new rims. On recovery for the burnt 55, I went with new tires/rims in my trailer.

I would go with at least two come-a-longs or find a friend with a trailer that has a winch. The brakes on the burnt 55 were stuck pretty bad. My trailer winch was able to drag it onto the trailer.

Be prepared for the steering to possibly be hosed. I brought a grinder to cut the tie rod from the steering box. The steering is locked at the axle. The winch on the trailer was a life saver and able to pull the 55 sideways and up on the trailer.

Bring trashbags to pull any loose stuff off the rig before transport. I easily filled a single bag.

Bring ratchet straps to ensure doors are secured. The burnt 55 door catches were dead. I used zip ties and straps to keep the doors secured.

The first page or two of Fenix 55 in my signature show some of my burnt vehicle recovery thought process and actual events.

With enough will, you can easily recover that 45.
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I wouldn't be buying tire or rims at this point. The brake shoes could be melted to the drum. Wheel bearings may be frozen. Would borrow some wheels and tires if I didn't have any. But would let it play out first. At the end could probably have the shipper play to have it delivered. You did already pay for that I assume. What happen wasn't your fault and he should have to honor the contract. There is a advantage when it's not a daily driver. Can play hardball. Can't make any threats to no longer pay for rental car. Would assume you have a signed over title from AZ for the vehicle. Since you have a bill of sale for what you just paid for it really for them to offer less and you to ask more.

Wasn't sure if I was going to post this but the idea of paying to get the vehicle is BS. This falls totally on the towing company's insurance or the towing company. Tell them they need to deliver it to you period. Didn't pay to have it delivered to a towing yard in Palm Springs. $200 a day storage give you leverage in my option.
 
@Living in the Past - all excellent points. I did pay the shipper for delivery, but he no longer has his truck or trailer.
 
workingdog said:
@Living in the Past - all excellent points. I did pay the shipper for delivery, but he no longer has his truck or trailer.
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The best thing might be to start with, "How do you plan on completing delivery of the vehicle to me? I can coordinate with another shipper and have you pay for it, if you'd like." It might help with expediting this part of the situation.
 
workingdog said:
@Living in the Past - all excellent points. I did pay the shipper for delivery, but he no longer has his truck or trailer.
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And you don't have a trailer to get it either
Looks like he needs to be contracting another company to get it done. This is on him not you. It was his truck that started on fire and ended up burning yours. Now if your truck has something spark and caused the fire that would be different.
 
Actually, it's been so hectic I forgot, I haven't paid the guy, I've got $1,000 in an envelop right here that I was supposed to give him. And your right. Progressive should pay the storage bill and the cost to extract the car. I wish they'd call.
 
MyLandy said:
Wow!
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workingdog said:
Okay, I got the story.

The driver was driving a dodge diesel pickup on the 10 freeway over the pass near Palmdale by the wind farm. He had the hammer down and heard a pop then saw white smoke, he opened the hood and it was already on fire. It was very windy and the truck was fully engulfed very quickly.

So, pop and then white smoke indicates to me a fuel leak on a very hot exhaust - or maybe the exhaust got too hot and just caught the rig on fire (so many of the idiots add power and don't keep an eye on exhaust temps) - either way, the diesel started to burn and it was all over. He's blaming the little gas can in the back of the 45 for making it worse, but he's lucky there wasn't a 20 gallon tank in the back, or even the original tank under the passenger seat - either would have been worse.

So, at least from a 'fault' perspective, it all looks good - so far.
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If this guy is not admitting 100% fault from the start don't waste your time energy or breath and seek legal council. Ask him 2 questions
1 Do you have commercial inland marine coverage ( transport insurance)
2 If yes what is the name, policy number and limits of liability.

Call a lawyer
 
I have all that information, he was appropriately insured to haul cars. He says it's all good and Progressive it going to cover it all. Just waiting for the adjuster to call back. Called my lawyer too, he said they were clueless on this. I'm going to have to find someone else.
 
Things can get a little sticky when situations are out of state. Crossing states line, law differ etc,. Even though the incident occurred in California you don't know what sticky stuff may get thrown out there by an insurance company because of the trips origination. You may want to look into consulting a business litigation lawyer.

PS- With all my recent experience with torched vehicles, I don't think yours looks too bad....

Be patient and gather all the info you can!

I wish you the best of luck.
Kevo
 
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