Dealership Wrecked [Slightly??] my Trailhunter

Wow. Some of you guys act like you’ve never made a mistake or had an accident.

Sure. You can be upset. But you have to be reasonable with the repair.

A new truck isn’t a reasonable option.
There might be an argument to be made about diminished value, but that is bordering on unreasonable.

To me, reasonable would be:

1. Do not fire the tech that did it.
I bet he never forgets this, and feels bad enough.

2. Ask them if they will an oil change for free and over all check of the truck when you take it back in to have it repaired.
If you really want to get “more”. Maybe negotiate on diffs, transfer, and transmission fluid change vouchers.

Seems reasonable enough to me.

We all make mistakes. Not all mistakes are worth $3,000 or $60,000 for a new truck.

And people wonder why guys just give up in life. Why try when nothing is ever good enough. Some of these comments are depressing. Jeez

 

You're being reasonable here, as one should be. Someone harmed should be returned to the state they were before the harm, which means fixing the truck and diminished value. There doesn't need to be a blood sacrifice and a new truck is just nutty; even if this one is beyond fixing, all you should expect to get is what it was worth at the time, which is not a new-off-the-lot vehicle, as this wasn't that.

 

majority of dealerships don't have the ability to do body work anyways these days. They just have it sent to caliber collision or whatever shop they have a contract with after you drop it off.

Also if it gets reported to Insurance definitely get a diminished value payout as that CLUE report will follow that truck for the rest of its life

 

The dealership damaged your new truck. They are obligated to repair the damages. A simple letter from an attorney stating that if they do not repair the damages to original condition, you will file a lawsuit against the dealership. They don't want a lawsuit and they don't want the negative publicity. You have photos of the damage and a report of how the damage occurred. It was negligence on their part, not yours. Case closed.

 

Has the OP been able to recover dash cam footage yet? I'd be curious to see if it was indeed an accident and the tech was doing what he should or if he was joyriding and it was recklessness.

 

Just got "caught up" on all the posts in past 2-days... Jeez!! Some of them really got me laughing - - thank you!!

The GM of the dealership just called me this afternoon. My plan is to head to the dealership tomorrow before lunch and walk the vehicle with the GM. We'll denote any and all defects we can see; write up something detailing what happened and what their plan is to repair; then I'll take it home and wait for the parts to arrive. I'll drive it until then... And: I’ll get the DashCam video…

IF I think the tailgate fitment is not what it's supposed to be; then we'll definitely denote that; and I'll take the truck to a frame specialist to have a look-see themselves... If they think the frame has been bent [hopefully not]; then I'll have a lawyer draw up a letter informing them of whatever my lawyer thinks they need to be informed of... And, take it from there.

*** Let me add: After the transmission repair was done, there were 2x Test Rides: The first was a 3-mile ride [which took 25-minutes - maybe left at idle for some time??] up and down the service road of the dealership. Then, the 2nd was the 50+ mile trip across the lake to Slidell and back [the pictures].

Thanks!

 

Sounds like a good plan of action and things are under control now. Good luck and check back with how turned out: especially the findings on the frame.

 

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i gots to know .... <--- Click

 

After a transmission is replaced, they have to do a "drive cycle" as part on the programming process.

 

Just ask yourself what the dealer would do if you banged up their truck on a test drive.

 

They would likely file a claim against my insurance.
As for what what they'd as for? I don't.

I am my own person. I don't do what "other people" might do.
I do, what I do. I don't base my decisions off what they would do.

Just because someone else is an asshole, doesn't mean I have to be too.

 

I used to think like that.

I’d file a claim and probably sell the truck.

 

Would you claim diminished value?

 

Damn near impossible to do that. I’d try at least.

 

I got 5k when my Corvette got hit. That vette had a lower MSRP than a Trailhunter.

 

Hopefully the trans issue is completely solved,extended warranty would be high on my list. The damage to the bumper is minimal( maybe) ,new part and done. Taking it to a frame shop is a good idea,keep the receipt and present it to them after they replace the bumper. The test drive with all the warnings shows a lack of respect for someone else’s property,when someone takes their truck out for a test drive I’m sure they are not allowed to bag on it. Once everything is resolved I would never set foot in that dealership.

 

I actually just tested with my truck and can say that this is not always true. Hard or soft close and I always have a bigger driver side gap.

 

Heh.. you want OP to take his truck back to these jokers? I guess the fluid change pay is low with benefits of hoonigan'n new cars.

Interesting report on the 'harsh driving' and a benefit of being data stalked.

This thread is one of the many reasons why I do my own maintenance.

 

Go to the gym, try again.....
Or, go to the dealer & get it fixed....
Majority of you guys cant be inconvenienced to utilize the dealer. for repairs...

 

A 3/16" difference isn't something I would consider needing to be repaired. Especially considering most or almost all 24's have a small difference in the gap and the tailgate can be moved slightly side to side.

I bet that if you grabbed your tailgate and pulled, it would slide slightly from side to side (if you were strong enough of course). They just seem to prefer/ settle slightly to the right for most.