Rear ended: frame damage

Haven’t posted here in a while.

On my way back from visiting my family for Christmas I was rear ended by a Chevy 3500 dually tow truck. (About 30mph, traffic came to a halt thanks to a semi slamming his brakes. Truck behind me braked but had so much weight [towing another car] and still rolled into me). Tailgate smashed, bumper smashed, tow hitch bent down which resulted in frame damage.


First repair estimate says they can replace “rear rails.” Should I go through with that? Is that a viable repair to get me back to pre collision state? Or have them replace the frame which will most likely total the truck.

I’m a mechanic but I don’t have any body or frame damage experience. Also don’t get in accidents that often.

I love my truck but if it’s weakened in the rear I don’t wanna take a chance with a bad frame in another accident.

 

Let a qualified Body shop have a look...THEN make a decision...

 

I would have the frame checked for straightness. If all is good and it's just the rear horns that are messed up where the bumper and hitch bolt up you can easily hack them off and make new rails and have them stringer than the stock ones. My scout troop's bus the frame tore from the janky ass way the bus manufacturer put a hitch on without any reinforcing. Now it is all fixed and the rear 2 ft of the frame is stronger than the stock rails.

 

Under way

 

That a new frame from the warranty?
If not, what a difference regarding the surface rust on mine ('08).

 

I’ve looked at service history for it. Still the stock frame. It’s been in Arizona it’s whole life (193000 miles). Bummed it’s bent now.

 

Sadly, I welcome you to the club. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...kin-and-keeps-on-tickin.584710/#post-19487197

 

Did your box make contact with the cab? Mine did hard enough to dent the cab corner and break the fiberglass cap. It returned to its original position (that I can eyeball at the joints) but I wonder how that affected the frame. :-(

 

There’s paint chipping but no visible dents

 

At the body shop I work at the only proper repair for that much frame damage is a full frame replacement. That's the only kind of repair I would accept on my truck if the frame was that badly kinked/buckled. Even if it can be cold straightened it will never have the same strength as pre-accident.

 

06 Prerunner=Totalled more than likely

 

That type of damage required a new frame for my truck. Had to fight tooth and nail with the at fault party's insurance to keep it from getting totaled. Good luck OP.