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Tacoma: incorrect tool for cutting telephone poles

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by MGRS, Dec 19, 2009.

  1. Dec 19, 2009 at 10:49 AM
    #1
    MGRS

    MGRS [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This is what happens when you baby your vehicle and are always concerned about door dings, salt, etc.

    I was traveling home to OH on Christmas block leave. Light load in the truck, 2WD, stock Rugged trails. Temperature: 31F. It had been raining for a couple hours and switched to snow. I was 5 miles from home on a 400 mile drive on a twisty country road.

    I was traveling 35mph and did not accelerate, brake, or steer. I just lost the rear end on a straight patch of road. Hit a mailbox and telephone pole. I sheared both off at the base and dropped hot wires on the road. The truck spun almost one whole revolution and came to rest in a section of woods by the road. Pickup:

    Wreckedtacoma001_fe652031d42a685c5e5edec6885ac7bba35eda50.jpg
    Wreckedtacoma002_a17a316ec750945b79439bb36bf459134f4c492c.jpg
    Wreckedtacoma003_0e7d2a504c8a99c702fa34f5d87631ecefad3330.jpg

    Time was 0010 Saturday morning. I restarted the truck and popped the hood. No visible damage to radiator or in the engine bay. No strange sounds. I put it in 4LO, but not all the ground was frozen yet and it was axle deep in mud and hung up on brush.

    Damage I saw last night before it was taken to the body shop:

    Whole front end and hood.
    left front fender
    left rear bed panel
    rear bumper
    tailgate
    Probably some other small scratches and dents. Hopefully no driveline/mechanical damage.

    Airbags did not pop. I was not hurt or scared, just angry.
    Everything in cab flew around. I could not find my cellphone until later. I called for help on a 2M ham radio. Another motorist also called a short time later.

    Lessons learned:

    Secure what you are carrying in cab. It was a whirlwind of flying stuff.
    Keep warm clothes/emergency gear in the cab. I had mine in a box in the bed. A couple trees had folded over the tonneau, making it impossible to open.

    I drove the truck around the body shop lot. Other than seeing the crushed hood, nothing felt out of place.

    I wish I had a gotten a picture of the telephone pole.
     
  2. Dec 19, 2009 at 10:51 AM
    #2
    JM76

    JM76 Ride On

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    well damn, you did a good job on that one. Glad you are ok though.
     
  3. Dec 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM
    #3
    BakoTruck

    BakoTruck Well-Known Member

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    Black Ice maybe?
     
  4. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:02 AM
    #4
    AK27

    AK27 Well-Known Member

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    glad your ok and sorry about the truck!
     
  5. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:03 AM
    #5
    redrx8

    redrx8 Well-Known Member

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    Were you on cruise control ? I've seen this happen to others and they had their cruise control on.
     
  6. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:04 AM
    #6
    jandrews

    jandrews Hootin' and Hollerin'

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    Glad you're ok.

    4Hi ftw if there's accumulating frozen precip on the roads.
     
  7. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM
    #7
    el_smurfo

    el_smurfo Well-Known Member

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    Another theory: Auto trans downshift kicked your rear tires loose?
     
  8. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:11 AM
    #8
    MGRS

    MGRS [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nope. Was in 4th gear with the six speed.

    Black ice: yes.
     
  9. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM
    #9
    BakoTruck

    BakoTruck Well-Known Member

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    Yeah that black ice sucks, sorry about the truck. Is your insurance going to cover, or don't know yet?
     
  10. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
    #10
    BLKTRD6SP

    BLKTRD6SP Well-Known Member

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    Glad your OK, damage doesn't look all that bad for taking out a pole.
     
  11. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
    #11
    paulm09tacoma

    paulm09tacoma Well-Known Member

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    glad your ok. hope you can fix the damage. tis the season to be carefull in our tacos
     
  12. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:20 AM
    #12
    Griztaco

    Griztaco Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like conditions I would be in 4hi, but I'm no judge here. Was there snow accumulating on the road, or did it just look wet to you. If it just looked wet, I probably would have been in 2wd too. Sometimes you just don't know. I do know this, if you were in 4hi, you probably would not have lost the rear end.
     
  13. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:24 AM
    #13
    Danosabre

    Danosabre Well-Known Member

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    Glad you are ok. The truck can be repaired. But it does suck!
     
  14. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:25 AM
    #14
    MGRS

    MGRS [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Snow was just starting to dust the road. I should have been in 4HI but did not think about it because I drove a 2x4 for years through the winters up here without a problem. Hindsight is killing me.

    Insurance will cover it. I do not think it will be totaled. They are also covering the tow and rental I will need. I knew I bought premium from USAA for a reason.
     
  15. Dec 19, 2009 at 11:35 AM
    #15
    w8n4mud

    w8n4mud I'm back.

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    Ok don't get me scared cause I do baby my truck as well. I'm glad you are totally okay. It sucks that this happened so close to home, but at least your folks were close by should you have needed additional help.
     
  16. Dec 19, 2009 at 12:09 PM
    #16
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    Glad to hear you are okay... Truck can be replaced... We have definitely had a rash of Tacoma accidents here in the last few weeks. I have actually noticed being here in Montana that the rear end flies out on my new Taco more than on my old one. 4wd if any doubt
     
  17. Dec 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM
    #17
    MGRS

    MGRS [OP] Well-Known Member

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    You are right. I was fortunate of the location and the lack of injury.

    I have no idea what the repairs will cost, but I doubt it will be totalled. The book value on these vehicles is undeservedly high.

    A guy at my mother's work also had a brand new 6spd access cab. He had the same thing happen to him last week. There was another car involved and he was injured. The truck was two weeks old (he had just replaced his '92 Pickup with almost 300k).

    A used to drive a 2wd ranger that was more stable on slick roads.
     
  18. Dec 19, 2009 at 12:28 PM
    #18
    BBS

    BBS And they say size doesnt matter...

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    Suuuuck!! I have never put any weight in the bed of any of the past taco 4WD's I have owned, only a previous 2WD. But, after all that I've been seeing on here lately I am adding some sand bags for the season!!
     
  19. Dec 19, 2009 at 12:33 PM
    #19
    trd taco guy

    trd taco guy Well-Known Member

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    My 2000 did a good number on a telephone pole glad I had insurance for that alone I believe replacing the pole alone was 4g's truck was totaled I'll post some pics when I get to a computer
     
  20. Dec 19, 2009 at 12:45 PM
    #20
    lightfire

    lightfire Well-Known Member

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    I have always added sandbags - in fact just did today to both of my 4wd trucks - weight helps. Just may or may not have helped the OP. OP, glad you are OK!
     

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