Rolled 03 Tacoma SR5 seeking advice.

I know this has been asked before but I can really use any help you guys are willing to give.

Background:

Rolled 03 Tacoma SR5 in snow. Was a half roll at slow speed into a ditch. Truck basically turned sideways then slid into ditch not multiple rolls.

Had a ski box and camper shell as well metal army box on cab roof which I believe took alot of the initial blow. From what I can tell the chasis and engine hood area look fine, couldn't check inside engine bay.

This was on a work trip while coming home and Im about 800 miles away from home currently. AAA is giving me mixed answers on if they can/will tow it my 200 miles (Im a premium member)

Long short the tow company was nice to me but I believe the tow company is wanting to keep the taco based on conversations and over hearing exchanges. One of which was when I asked what the process is the tow owner said "Call your insurance then go home". Another worker even said "The owner likes to keep the vehicles that are worth it". Im surmising the tow owner knows he can either part it out, do a body swap, that the damage is external ETC. Which is making me wonder if I should keep it and pay to bring it home then pay too fix it myself.

This Tacoma had 148k on the od and was perfect mechanically. It was also brand new too me and I fell in love with it. Sob story ahead but I had a really rough year last year and a close friend sold it to me at a very low price to try and help me out. Barely had it 2 months then right when I thought life was cutting me a break this happens. I had my whole life in the vehicle including my dog and all my posessions.

Questions:

1) Is it worth the price to tow home and do a body swap in this condition? What would this run cost wise? Im out of my depth here knowing the range to worth.

2) If not keeping it should I try and get it released then sell it to a salvage yard, personal buyer, sell back too the tow yard ETC I dont even know what is in my right or typical process here. Im not rich and can use all the help I can get currently. I dont want to be scammed or taken advantage of especially with my own property when Im in an unfamiliar area.

3) I got a majority of my stuff out of the vehicle before they towed it but still want to grab any remaining posessions. Any advice?

4) Is there anything you guys recommend that Im not doing, or asking? Insurance wise, tow home wise, ETC.?

I've never been in this situation before and it's stressful to say the least.

Im trying to keep a positive attitude, I'm alive, my dogs alive, but this still sucks majorly at a time when I didn't need another life blow.

I appreciate any and all help/information from the community.

 

Body swap will involve a cab with a different VIN than your truck. That's a potentially huge pain in the ass.

The tow company is essentially offering to forgive the tow charges in exchange for the truck? Is that correct? If so, you can be certain that they think they're coming out ahead by doing so.

As far as getting your stuff out, just go to the tow yard during business hours and tell them you have more stuff in the truck to collect. They can't hold your possessions hostage.

Do you have collision coverage? If so, I would report the claim and let them handle it.

Is there a loan on the truck? If so, you likely will not have any involvement in what happens with the damaged truck.

 

I think level of insurance is going to play a pretty big factor here. IMO, safe to say insurance is going to call this a total loss. You mentioned body swap but I am assuming you are asking how much this would cost paying someone to do this AND find a donor cab. Even in cheaper areas of the country I would say this is going to be more than the value of a replacement truck / or its value. Not to mention significant time.

As far as the Tow yard goes, regardless of where the truck ends up they are going to charge you for storage fees. I would get this rolling because the fee's add up. I would report it to insurance and call it a day.

Grab a piece of sentimental value from the truck for memories sake

 

Welcome to TW. Sorry to see all the problems you're having. As one person suggested turn into over to your insurance company as soon as possible.

 

21 year old truck , it is totaled. Go get all your stuff and then leave it up to your insurance. Report it immediately, don’t screw around with this. Even if AAA covers 200 mile tow you would still have to pay for 600 additional miles. That would be hella expensive. A 600 mile tow would probably cost as much as you paid for the truck. Let it go. Take the insurance $$$, let the insurance co. handle everything and buy another truck. I’m mostly interested that your dog is ok.

 

You may have another problem too. If you use your truck in the scope of your employment your personal auto coverage may not cover you. If you just use your truck to get to and from work, to and from job sites you are ok. But if you use your truck for more than that in the scope of your employment that could present a coverage problem. I wouldn’t lie but when you report it don’t mention work. Just say the accident happened on the way home from a visit to see a friend or something like that.

 

At the same time, I would expect your employer to be of some help. At least they might pay to have it shipped back home.

 

If you decide to keep it, try a car shipper rather than tow truck. Shipping is pretty affordable -- mine was $400 for 350 miles.