Protection against total loss

Hi everybody,

I have a 2010 Toyota Tacoma that just received a new frame. The truck is in great condition, and I would like to protect it so I will have it for years to come. What is the best way to protect it from being totaled in an accident. New steel bumpers? My girlfriend had a Cadillac that was also in good condition, and she got rear-ended at a red light, and lost the car. The guy who hit her had a Wrangler with a ram bar in front, and his truck wasn't even scratched. Without spending an arm and a leg, how could I do the same for my truck?

Thank you for your input, and I look forward to discussing.

Also, since it's a four-cylinder 2.7, and I haul a lot of tools in the back, I don't want to add a bunch of weight.

 

I had an American Off-road winch bumper. Still totaled my truck as well
As his car. Friggin dogs in the back set started on each other turned to scream at them. And BOOM

 

Whoa. That sucks. Sorry that happened to you.

Similar thing happened to me. I was on the highway with stop and go traffic, and a driver of a F-150 slammed on his brakes at the same time I bent down to get my charger. I locked the brakes up and slid six feet right into him. I totaled the Ford focus, and he had a small scratch on his steel bumper.

When I got out of the car to see if he was all right, he turned around and only had one eye. Couldn't believe it. In fact, he's been rear-ended three times in 3 months and just got the truck back two weeks ago.

I don't know how this man had a license, since you need both eyes for depth perception.

 

One way to keep from being rear ended is to always carry a big pipe sticking out of the bed so the outer end is at about head height to decapitate anyone who dares to rear end you. Of course put a red flag on it so it's legal. Also make sure your tailgater fluid tank is always full, I mean windshield washer fluid.

 

Drive defensively. That’s about your best option.
You have a 2WD truck that sits fairly low. It’s going to take some damage.

 

Bigger/stronger bumpers will mostly help at low speeds. A super strong bumper may sustain less damage in a collision but the energy placed upon it is going to get transferred to the frame. Defensive driving is your best course of action. That or drive a cement truck - size matters in a collision.