2011 Suburban frame replace?

jonessva · April 19, 2012

My daughter was stopped, waiting to turn left when rear ended at approx 50mph by a lighter SUV. Drove her 50-60 ft forward. No serious injuries to her but $20k worth to her '11 Burb with only 2300 miles on it. Proposed non-dealer fix includes replacing the frame! Estimate does not include any engine parts, suspension, etc that you expect to suffer damage in a crash of that severity. No indication of what this incident will do to her warranty. Is this a reasonable approach or should we push for new vehicle?

Daughter credits the Suburban for saving her life.

thankful dad

00Silverado4x4 · April 19, 2012

First, I'm glad your daughter made it out safely.

Now, this is just me but if the FRAME needs replacement the VEHICLE needs to be replaced. With that much damage comes that much work to fix. If your insurance is not quoting suspension replacement parts I'd be skeptical about how the vehicle would handle once you got it back. Now if you can get them to acknowledge the suspension will need attention and you have a reputable shop working your vehicle it may push the estimate high enough to total out the vehicle. When a previous vehicle of mine was sandwiched between a van and truck mine was totaled and that was even with no frame damage and didn't include labor costs. I'm willing to bet once the vehicle hits a shop, the laundry list of "needs" for your vehicle is going to get longer.

Again, my opinion, no insult to anyone.

Havasubum · April 19, 2012

Tell the insurance company to simply total the car. It would be ridiculous to fix a vehicle with that much damage.

TimmyG · April 19, 2012

I would get 2 or 3 estimates including the dealer and compare them all part for part that way you have a real idea. Also your insurance guy should be on yourside if your not at fault

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ChevyTech77 · April 19, 2012

Incorrect on almost ever account that I've seen posted here so far.

More than likely there is no suspension damage because the frame absorbed the impact and bent, where it was designed to do so, far behind the rear axle/suspension.

Secondly, I've replaced MANY complete frames and it really is an easy, quality repair.

Lastly, if you want the vehicle totalled, with that little of mileage, you will be most likely fighting a steep, uphill battle with the insurance company. Plus, if she didn't have gap insurance, prepare to pay the difference between what the insurance gives her and what she owes.

Glad to hear that she's o.k.

MikeNH · April 19, 2012

Like others have said, glad she's okay.

But being worried about the repair is a waste- find a good body shop and she'll have a truck that drives just like new when she gets it back. I have several friends who do auto body repair and I'd trust them to do a frame swap on mine if it ever came to that.