Would appreciate any expert opinions (Truck rear-ended)

They fixed the frame and he traded the truck within the year. He had it out pretty good with the insurance company but didn't win the battle. They fixed it and he did tow with it. It drove and towed fine afterwards but he wasn't happy with it. He also had a job that required him to have a trailer hooked up all day every day. I'm sure they can make it structurally sound again but alignment has to be spot on or you'll feel it every time you drive it. The receiver will help stiffen up the rear quite a bit also or maybe you could talk them into installing an x-brace to help further stiffen the rear section of the frame

Good luck, just stay in close contact with your insurance agent and don't be shy about telling them your concerns with the repairs.

 

I have pretty good uninsured motorist coverage thank god, so i'm not too worried. But yeah, at least enough to leave. Busted his radiator for sure tho because coolant smell was everywhere.

 

He may be a problem child and yes, you have insurance but he HIT AND RUN. What if you were hurt? Or the person in front of you? I think the hit and run should be serious enough along with the dollar amount of damage for the cops to go after him. You would think that even though he cannot be sued, at least attach his wages.

 

Yes, that is definitely crumpled frame. HOWEVER, that part of the frame is non-critical -- it can be cut off and replaced without the entire vehicle being compromised.

Not that you want any part of the frame to be "repaired", just that it is a trivial repair at that point.

The more important question is if the frame is twisted up further, i.e., ahead of the front mount for the rear springs.

Either way though... that is a MESS.

 

It's critical if you plan to test the towing limits of the truck... 6,500 lbs is a lot to tow and would put a lot of stress on that section of the frame.

 

Naw, the whole thing would go off without a hitch.




Literally.

 

I think that's exactly what the OP would like to avoid!

 

No imagination, huh?

Step 1: Sawzall off crumpled section.
Step 2: hold up piece of 2x3" steel pipe, weld in place.
Step 3: cut to length, drill, paint.
Step 4: bolt on new bumper and receiver.

You can't POSSIBLY suggest that it isn't trivial to repair that to equal or stronger than factory.

 

That is not the correct way to repair a frame. You cut the frame in a Z from the top so you don't end up with a butt weld but rather an overlap that will be stronger than it was originally.

I know the frame can be repaired and made just as strong as new (or stronger) but I also doubt that many shops would make such an extensive frame repair on such a new vehicle. My guess would be they'd either straighten the frame or replace it. The process of straightening the frame would be the process that would make me uncomfortable.

 

Where did I say to cut it in a straight line?

In any case, you could also overlap it and weld it on two sides.

Did you see where I said "Not that you want any part of the frame to be "repaired", just that it is a trivial repair at that point."???

Right. We have reached an understanding.

Now the approach I would probably pick would be to straighten the frame (with heat), then weld in reinforcements in that area to pick back up the strength that was lost in the first crumple.

The downside to ANY kind of frame repair would, of course, be that if it happens again, now you've got a really strong section at the back, so the damage will happen further up near the middle of the truck and you'll HAVE to replace the frame.


The final word: damage sucks bad. Hope the OP gets a new frame or a new truck.

 

I know frames can be repaired, its whether its done properly or not that would concern me. Looking at that rear damage, and the hunchback shape the truck has, I would wager that there is damage somewhere in the vicinity of the rear of the cab as well. I wouldn't be a happy camper unless it was written off, if it was my truck. OP, you don't have replacement value coverage, do you? Would make things easy.

Oh, yeah, the moral of the story here? If you get rear ended, quickly back up onto the other guys hood, so he stays put.

 

Something just occurred to me... the side panels are attached to that rear section of the frame that got crumpled down. That means that with that crumpling, the panels will be held down at the back, which would cause the front top of the panels to pull away from the cab and make it look like the middle of the frame was bent.

It is possible that the frame is only bent at that very rear most point with the dramatic crumple. If that is the case, it is, unfortunately, most probable that they would opt to repair it.

 

Don't know about where you are, but hit and run is a crime, it's 12 points of your licience, revocation time. If the cops know about him and you say he hit you and have a tag number, why the hell don't they go get him. Shit if i did that they'd shoot me an the side of the road.

 

Hmm, good point. With the two rear mounts bent so far downward, I would then wonder about the composite bed, and if it survived the bending, since it has 6 mounting points total.

 

Protecting their own? What do you think the term "known to police" means?

 

That's a good point. The frame definitely took a hell of a shot, especially since it took a hit from the front also (or hit something preventing the truck from just being pushed forward but instead forced the frame to absorb the impact). How are the floor boards in the rear seat? Does it seem like they're raised or uneven?

 

I was relaxing in my semi in a truck stop in Beaumont, TX one evening when I felt the truck shudder. I got up and checked the side mirror to see that some yahoo had wrapped his trailer around mine. Since we were in a parking lot and he saw me look back at him I figured I had a minute and proceeded to pull out my accident kit papers. Next thing I knew, he had backed out and was coming around my other side heading for the exit. I jumped out, ran around the truck and snapped a picture of his trailer as he was leaving. He saw me do so, knew he was busted, then pulled over and walked back to me. As it turned out, he did way more damage to his rig and mine was barely cosmetic on my DOT bar and tailight surround. Moral of the story for me on that one was that now I always make sure I have a camera with me and, if not hurt, am ready to immediately jump out and start taking pictures before anyone can get any slimy ideas about running.

Sorry to hear about your truck OP.

 

I keep a disposable camera with flash in my vehicles for this sort of reason. They stay in the glovebox.

 

OP, something to think about if this happened in TX. If any uninsured motorist causes more than $1000 damage (you're clearly above that), you can work with the state to place a judgement against them for the total amount of your damages (including vehicle rental while yours is in the shop). This judgement will go on their credit report and the great state of TX will not even allow him to renew his drivers license or register a vehicle. Of course, being on his credit report will also affect his credit score. HIT HIM WEAR IT HURTS! You can start the process by filling out a Crash Report (Blue Form) with the TX Dept of Transportation.

I was in a similar situation with an uninsured motorist with a suspended license. The vehicle he was driving was in his mother's name, so even though I never had to go as far as placing a judgement against them it was enough of a threat to get them to pay my damages. Good luck & GOD BLESS TEXAS!

 

that frame will buff out just fine with a little elbow grease, np....