How does one salvage an RV from the bottom of a lake?

Question

I heard the ice cracking and had to evacuate my RV, The RV then went through the ice and I assume sank to the bottom of the lake.

The water is 25 to 35 feet deep in the general area the RV and some ice fishing shacks sank in.

Come spring would it be possibly to dive down to the RV and maybe put some of those self inflating rafts in the interior, then rig some way to make them all inflate at once. Some way to pull the inflate cord once I exit the RV after placing them inside.

Would like 10 self inflating rafts float the RV to the surface?

Would it be better to dismantle the RV on multiple dives, salvaging the more valuable components and leaving the shell and frame to Rest In Peace? Maybe salvage the copper wiring and any decorative artwork. Salvage the furniture items, nice appliances and such.

Maybe salvage luggage and such. Like they do with some boat wrecks where they recover the cargo and some parts and leave the hulking hull where it rests?

What is someone to do if they lost their RV?

Anonymous · Answer

first thing you salvage is any identifying items- license plates, registration,...  In most places it's against the law to leave a vehicle in the water, no matter what season it is.   There's a $100 fine PER DAY where I live.

Starrysky · Answer

Biggest problem is the many tons of water inside the body.  Fill the interior of the RV with lots of heavy plastic air balloons, and attach air lift bags to the bumpers, also maybe to straps under the frame.  That could float the vehicle high enough to tow it to a boat ramp.  Then a heavy tow truck or highway recovery wrecker might be able to winch the vehicle up the ramp and out.
Should cost you less than $20K USD for a work barge and boat, divers, materials, and the tow out.
Might salvage the engine, wheels and tires from that RV, but that is about all.

? · Answer

I would hire a salvage company to do the job. Do not put this off or when it starts leaking all its fluids and killing fish etc. the ministry of the environment will be after you for costs of cleanup. Please remember that the R.V. is registered in your name so you can run but you can't hide.

The Devil · Answer

Talk to your insurance agent.

Anonymous · Answer

I'd be more concerned about what the DEC has to say about it leaking gas and oil into the lake.

? · Answer

You hire a recovery company to salvage it.

? · Answer

Contact your insurer.

The vehicle cannot be left in the lake due to all the environmental pollutants such as oil, grease and fuel it has.

Salvage will likely need to wait until the ice has gone for obvious safety reasons.

Anonymous · Answer

Either this is a fake TROLL STORY or you're incredibly stupid, or both. Either way, EPIC FAIL.

How does one salvage an RV from the bottom of a lake?

8 Answers