Minor Accident

Someone bumped into my rear hitch. Small impact they were prob going less than 10mph, I was dead stopped. They did not touch any other part of the truck other than the hitch, put a nice hole in their front bumper. I gave it a close examination today...the brackets look fine and uniform. The only thing I can see with my naked eye is the bumper is maybe a quarter inch sagged from it's previous position.

Is this worth taking to a frame shop to be safe? Anyone else had a small impact like this? Naked eye it looks like fine, but I know that's just naked eye. Still drives true.

 

I would take it just to make sure, probably nothing major though. I do not keep my ball hitch in because it increases the chance of your frame being bent if you are rear ended.

I was smacked by a lady doing around 30+ while I was sitting at a dead stop, she bent the bumper a lil bit and shifted the hitch mount forward about a 1/4" and busted off the original wiring harness plug. Her car was totaled though (it was like a 95 Chevy Cavalier though so it was probably totaled before she hit me). The hitch mount was what saved my truck from some massive damage, I am sure if I would have had the ball hitch inserted it would have bent the frame.

 

You would be surprised how much something you think is small might cost. Definitely have everything looked at.
Truck here on TW last week with front bumper damage was $17000 estimate.

 

You should always have a vehicle inspected after an accident. Its nice to be sure nothing of serious value was hurt.
These days its not hard for something that seems minor to be thousands to fix.

Plus 1/4 of an inch is significant.


Although before making a claim with your insurance. You may want to check your local laws. In a lot of states it is illegal to have a hitch in your reciever if you are not actively towing.
Would suck to report it to insurance and it be a 50/50 liability split. So just be sure.

 

Can you still remove the hitch and install freely?

 

Sorry guys. I misworded. He only hit the receiver. No hitch was in place at the time. Right now I’m actually in the process of dropping the bumper/receiver. I’m then going to put it all back together. If it all comes apart/goes together fine, I think I’m OK.

Thanks for all the responses so far.