Trailer Hitch/Accident Concerns

[merc1100sc]

All,

Last week I was rearended in my 2016 2500HD by a smaller Chevy Cruise I think it was. The front of the car was banged up pretty bad. My trailer hitch took the most of the impact. There aren't any visible signs of damage but should I be concerned with the integrity of the hitch for towing?

I tow a Work and Play 28WPT.

Thoughts and concerns..

Thanks

[burningman]

You guys are why insurance rates are high.
You mean well but if it isn’t visiby damaged, that hitch is fine.

[Ron3rd]

STBRetired wrote:
My MH was rear ended back in August. The insurance adjuster put the hitch replacement on the claim. Better that than have a failure later due to a cracked weld. Hitches are cheap compared to what can happen if it fails.

X2, when our old tundra was rear ended only damage was a dent in the bumper. The insurance company insisted on replacing the hitch too. Cheap to do and relieves them of liability

[wireman]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
They rear ended you. I would be off to the best frame shop I could find to have the frame gauged on the rear enders dime. As heavy as these trucks are I still wouldn't take a chance as if something moved or bent it may not show up until later. The hitch is relatively nothing.

These trucks are too expensive to let something like that go.

X2 Depending on the speed you were rear ended that energy had to go somewhere.

I would definitely have the frame measured for any damage.

[Arcamper]

They hit you so right now it's their problem and it should be replaced. You keep it and 8 months from now it fails and your trailer wipes out a mini van with a family inside it's now your problem. Why risk that.

[NJRVer]

I was rear ended in my 2500 HD and I insisted they give me a new hitch.
They did.

[mkirsch]

My whole problem with the inspection is that it is going to be some $15/hr junior mechanic with a trouble light doing a casual VISUAL inspection. "I don't see anything." Completely worthless.

[CR_CRUISER]

I hit some black ice and spun out in my then new Dodge Dakota. The hitch receiver smacked on the concrete divider. There wasn't a scratch anywhere else on the back of the truck but the hitch looked like it might be bent.
I tool it to friend's body shop and the repair bill was around $3K. The frame was bent along with the hitch.

[JBarca]

This is all about the liability and who has it. They hit you, you told us they were at fault. Right now they have the liability.

Many insurance adjusters who inspect a rear ended crash where a towing hitch is involved, automatically replace the receiver as standard practice. If they looked at it, stated it was OK and then it fails while you are towing, they have assumed a level of liability. When they declare to have it changed, they shed the liability and it is now back on the OEM of the receiver has the liability and not the insurance company. These receivers are too cheap to even think about assuming liability of them.

And for sure have a respected dealership or repair shop inspect the truck frame. While these trucks are heavy they are no where heavy like they use it be. For sure get the frame inspected.

Glad you came out OK.

John

[DustyR]

I was rear ended a year ago and the adjuster asked about the hitch (class V) and my reply, I tow a 8000+ TT. No problem insurance replaced the hitch.

[jfkmk]

Assuming you have full coverage on your truck, I'd go through your own insurance company. Pay the deductible and the insurance company will pay you back once the claim is paid by the other persons company.

Their insurance company will try to pay out as little as possible, and if you relay your concerns to your own insurance company, they will probably respond better, especially since they aren't the one paying.

Good luck!

[Camper_G]

Good deal on asking for a new oem hitch. If they balk, remind them of the very heavy trailer your towing and the low cost of a new hitch, the potential for small cracks that cannot be detected with the naked eye, and if they will accept the liability if the hitch fails at some point and hurts or kills someone because their insured rear ended your truck.

I'd think they will have a change of heart pretty quick. Also, tell them you want the frame gaged and you want a printout of the results. Good luck!

[dodge_guy]

If they go for it replacement would be great. If not, then have it inspected. It’s probably OK being it’s a class 5 hitch it sees quite a bit of force with a hitch on it. And seeing it was a Cruze the force was minimal.

[jesseannie]

merc1100sc wrote:
I have reached out to the insurance company and requested a replacement.

Good idea! get it replaced. It will be worth it in peace of mind for you when towing.

Jesseannie

[Lwiddis]

Ralph’s comment x2. Better to inspect..check.