Truck was Rear-Ended - Should the Hitch be Replaced?

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Pokee - 01 Nov 2006 22:38 GMT

My husband got rear-ended in his brand new Dodge Ram Powerwagon
(sniff!) yesterday and the
only real damage appears to be to the bumper (can't say the same is
true for the other car!). The hitch is scratched, but appears fine. I
have heard from friends that hitch damage is sometimes invisible to the
naked eye (hairline cracks that can comprmise the hitch in some way).

We're taking it to the claims adjuster tomorrow. If the hitch should
be replaced (and the adjuster does not include this in the repairs),
I'd like to be armed with some written documentation that states it is
a safety issue not to replace hitches that are involved in a rear
collision. Is there any information I can get online? I called Dodge
and our dealer, and neither of them were any help.

If it is a good idea to get it replaced, we'll do it anyway. We'd just
like to have the insurance company pay for it, if we can.

Thank you,
Paula

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BigIronRam - 01 Nov 2006 22:45 GMT

> My husband got rear-ended in his brand new Dodge Ram Powerwagon
> (sniff!) yesterday and the
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Thank you,
> Paula

I'm in the steel fabrication business, we heat, bend, roll, camber and
straighten structural steel daily. I assure you, it's not hurt a bit.

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sqdancerLynn - 01 Nov 2006 23:08 GMT

I hear what you are saying but the hitch should be fine. Be thankful that
you had it on. Otherwise your truck would have more damage. I had someone
run into the back of my 79 Dodge Van
Replaced the bumper & another $500 would have fixed it up (didn't fix it)
Still drove Fine
The other car a 2000 Maxim was totalled. The trailer hitch did a number on
his car, he needed a tow truck

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.boB - 01 Nov 2006 23:43 GMT

> My husband got rear-ended in his brand new Dodge Ram Powerwagon
> (sniff!) yesterday and the
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Thank you,
> Paula

You're not likely to get anybody to make a statement like
that, What you need to do is get the adjuster to include the
cost to have the hitch removed, inspected, and repaired/replaced
as necessary.
What the adjuster writes is not carved in stone. It's not
uncommon for the body shop/repair shop to uncover hidden damage
of all sorts that the adjuster couldn't see. You'de be amazed
what kind of damage transmitted force does.
Bottom line, the hitch most likely does not need to be
replaced. But it does need to be removed and carefully
inspected. The frame attachement points also need to be
carefully inspected.

Signature

.boB
2006 FXDI hot rod
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

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Chad - 02 Nov 2006 03:41 GMT

>> My husband got rear-ended in his brand new Dodge Ram Powerwagon
>> (sniff!) yesterday and the
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>>
>> Thank you, Paula

if the adjuster wont do it tell him you pull a $80,000.00 boat and would
like in writing that his ins.co is willing to take full responsibility for
any hitch failure and death when it comes free.

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