Welded hitch damage question

Anyone have any advice on hitch damage repair on a two month old ‘25 Tacoma?
Body shop says they have never dealt with a welded hitch on a truck… They initially invoiced to have the whole frame replaced (insurance approved for 20k) and now they want to get ahold of Toyota to see if they can repair another way, if there is no actual frame damage? Appreciate any advice or if anyone else has experience with having hitch repair still covered under frame warranty if they cut and weld?

 

There have been reports here and I think another forum site where the truck was totaled by similar damage.

 

Just curious

what happened to cause the damage?

 

Given the coolant on the bumper, I suspect he was rear ended

 

Have the shop weld new safety chain loops on, take the $20,000 check for the frame repair, put some cool parts on it and then drive it until the wheels fall off

 

4 car collision in front of me on hwy and was able to stop in time but car behind me hit me full go. Honestly probably would’ve been better to join the pile up with this frame headache. 4 cars totaled, my truck really didn’t get much damage, so thankful for no injuries

 

Make sure you and a collision repair shop check the frame from back to front really well, these things are designed to crumple on impact. If it checks out, which from the picture it looks like it will. Then you have a couple options...

1)Get ahold of a metal fab shop and see if they can fix the chain hangers. Which should be easy for almost any fab shop... After they're done, replace the bumper if need be.
2)Look for new custom rear bumper, I bet you can find one for $1500-$2000.
3)If they have to replace the entire frame. I'd be pushing for them to total it.
4)I like this option the best! Take Izzy's advice and laugh all the way to the bank!

 

SCZB [OP], sorry to hear what happened. If this helps - as long as you do not have frame damage, replacing the receiver is fine. It's a 3" square tube (approximately 1/4" thick walls, stout) welded through the back end of the frame. A reputable welder can cut/grind the welds off, at the frame (install a new receiver from Toyo) and re-weld. About the only issue is removing the rear bumper (from I can see) to grind the top of the receiver welds (connected to the frame). Good luck.

 

Yeah, the frame was bent and out of Toyota spec (like 4 millimeters or some outrageous small amount). Toyota told them it would be at least a year to get a new frame and the insurance company totaled the truck.
As tacowrench says, if the frame itself is not bent it should be possible to weld a new hitch box on. But I would want that cleared with at least the insurance company. Preferably by both the ins co and Toyota.

 

That money will be lost again on resale with diminished value from a branded title. If insurance wasn't involved I would just get that hitch welded back up and call it a day but since they are I think you're gonna want to start clean.