Roof Ditch Molding Problem

Hi guys,

I'm new to the list. I'm not one for big introductions, so I'll just skip the "new members" forum and jump right in with my question.

I have a roof ditch molding problem on my 2006 Tacoma. Yesterday while I was driving, about a foot of the molding became detached and started flapping in the breeze and smacking the roof of my truck. It actually dented the roof.

I really don't care about the molding, but I'm upset about the dents.
My truck is still under warranty so I'm going to get them to fix the molding. I'm wondering if the warranty should also cover the dents that the molding caused on my roof? Any idea? I'd like to be prepared and know what to expect when I go into the dealership.

I'm also wondering if you guys found a solution to prevent this problem in the future. Maybe just removing the molding or a better method of attachment.

Thanks,
Steve

 

welcome and why not

 

Steve,welcome from NB.....One of the solutions,if you like the look is to install a factory roof rack.It's installation eliminates the molding completely,and also,the racks base covers a wider area than the factory strips so is there a chance that the dents would be hidden by them?As far as your warranty goes,I would hope that they would do something for the dents,as they are a direct result of the molding mount failure.....Where on the roof are the dents?

 

Just thought I'd kill 2 birds with one stone. On second thought, I probably should have posted an intro.... It's probably a little annoying to answer questions for someone you guys know nothing about.

 

About 6-8 inches from the tip of the loose molding.

 

My belated intro:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/new-members/35491-new-canadian-member.html#post565118

 

Do you mean towards the center of the roof,or 6-8 inches back but near the channel.Once again,I'm trying to visualize if the roof rack's footprint would cover the dents(pics?).....If it does cover them,it may be to your advantage to suggest a rack to make it right instead of repairing the dents.Once installed,they are usually on for life anyways and they are a great accessory.

 

I think you should be ok getting the dents fixed as long as you tell them that the damage was unavoidable. Tell them that the molding came loose while you were on the freeway and by the time you were able to stop safely the damage was done.

If, on the other hand, you turn up there with it still flapping around and doing damage, they can rightly question you as to why you didn't take preventative action.

 

Squad,

I like your thinking!

The dents are maybe 6 inches back from the start of the molding and maybe 3 or 4 inches towards the inside of the truck. It's pouring rain right now, or I'd go and check more precisely.

Maybe even if the roof rack doesn't cover the dents perfectly, I might still suggest it to them. It's hard to get high enough to see the dents, so I think I might benefit more from the roof racks than from getting the dents fixed.

Steve

 

I actually tried to take my Tacoma into them just 15 minutes after the molding started to flap, but they wouldn't take my truck because it is a US vehicle and I'm in Canada.

They said that it would take them about 2 or 3 days to contact Toyota USA and ensure that my vehicle is in fact covered under warranty before they would take it. Since I've left the dealership, the molding has come loose another 2 or 3 times and caused the dents.

So really, I think it's easy for my to say it was unavoidable.