Rear ended - frame bent? Pic Included

Got rear-ended this morning (second time this year, great luck right?). Anyway, the picture above shows where my hitch bolts to the frame. Should the channel be straight, or is the bend normal? Hoping someone would be willing to crawl under their truck and check for me (I'm being lazy and don't feel like going to a dealer).

It appears that my hitch and rear bumper are pointing down, which is why I'm concerned. Also looks like the bed is closer to the cab on the drivers side verses the passenger.

Mike

 

It is probably bent. Tacoma frames seem to be a little soft. Not saying its a bad thing, Id rather bend my frame than my back. Here are some examples -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2009...3431093?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4152e236b5

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/115062-rear-collision-advice.html

 

pretty sure thats bent

 

That's what I was afraid of. Sucks, if you just glance at the truck it doesn't even look damaged. Take a closer look and things start popping out. Oh well, the accident wasn't my fault and my insurance company has been good to work with.

Mike

 

Make yourself a plumb-bob and measure corner to corner. THat'll tell you if the frame is tweaked or not.

Or....Did you get insurance information from the person who hit you?

Make a claim...and have the insurance companies deal with it.

 

where the trailer hitch bolts on??? if so look at the other side and c if theres a difference

 

Both sides look like they are bent the same amount - it just looks like both the bumper and hitch are pointing down. I'm pretty sure the frame rails are supposed to be straight...

That process started about an hour after the accident. Just didn't get a chance to crawl underneath the truck until I got home from work tonight.

Mike

 

I agree with others, I'm sure your frame is bent. It's raining here today, and my 2010 is in the garage so I crawled under and took this photo. Looks straight through at the hitch attach point.

FWIW, it appears your frame is bent behind the rear suspension attach points so there should be no impact to your alignment. Though, as you noted, there could be a problem with the alignment of your bed and cab.

Good luck,

 

Thanks Jere. Took it to a local Toyota shop today (have a friend whose brother works there, so I trust what he had to say). Frame is bent, but is repairable. It's about $1200 total, needs a bumper, frame work, and some paint. Hopefully I'll get it in sometime in the next few weeks.

Mike