Dinged Frame = Totalled Truck?

pm26 · September 10, 2015

With more and more vehicles being of unibody construction, frame pullers are not as common as they used to be in the 60's and 70's when virtually every vehicle on the road was of body on the frame construction. And it seems that frame repair skills are disappearing just as quickly as old body guys retire.

While it is true that unibody type vehicles are very difficult and expensive to repair if the chassis shows any type buckling, repairing a traditional ladder type frame should not be that difficult. And even if they do not want to repair it, what about just replacing the whole frame?

I have seen a few trucks damaged by nerf bars that were forced into rocker panel when off-roading and it is for this reason that I do not have nerf bars or side steps on my truck. I do not go off-roading in my truck, but I like to maintain good ground clearance just in case I do.

Debra in Cali · September 10, 2015

Had similar experience in 2013. My old vehicle was stolen from my driveway. Found a few miles away about a week later. Damage was to the steering column and they stole the stereo system. Ironically they didn't take the money in the ashtray, the very expensive jumpers cables under the rear seat, or the inverter. They did get my favorite Chicago CD. Granted the vehicle was ancient, but ran great. Had lots of receipts showing that it was well cared for and had lots of upgrades like a second battery, a tow package, etc.

Insurance totaled it. We bought it back under salvage title and it cost us roughly 100 to repair the steering column and purchased another stereo for another 100. But the salvage title was what made me really made. We had to get new license plates and we were only allowed to carry basic liability insurance, since they were not going to pay for any further damage or loss.

It was also ironic that they didn't touch the new Camry sitting in the driveway next to it. We now have security cameras, new truck has a alarm system and we of course have on-star.

TxTruckMan · September 10, 2015

So, my adjuster finally called me. She said the damages came in at $16k including the frame replacement. The reason it's then considered a "total loss" has to do with Texas state laws - a vehicle with a frame replacement is declared a total loss by law. She said it's the same way in Oklahoma and a few other states.

I then called the shop and asked why the frame couldn't be repaired. They said that it has to do with the HSS and GM frame repair instructions (which they have to follow). HSS cannot be heated, and these types of dings/bends typically require heat to straighten. He said it's not like a tweaked frame that can be straitened on their puller. These would be heated and then straightened - not allowed with HSS according to them.

Next they said my claim would be handed over to another insurance department which specializes in total loss claims. At this point, that's probably what I'll do just to not mess with it any more.

galliher_nc · September 10, 2015

Sounds like a new Denali is in your future.

thewhitestallion · September 10, 2015

......................... all because you "dinged" your frame on a rock. i too would like to see pictures.... not saying i dont believe you or trying to offend you but this does not seem right.

TxTruckMan · September 10, 2015

I have pictures now, I just don't know how to post them from my computer. Any suggestions?

'01LS1 · September 10, 2015

Curious as hell what happens to your insurance premiums after this?

Or what you have to claim to another insurance co if you shop around rates as there is a totalled vehicle, but no traffic accident, police report etc.

If you can afford a new truck, by all means great. But know it would throw a curve to me being locked into that.

thewhitestallion · September 10, 2015

I have pictures now, I just don't know how to post them from my computer. Any suggestions?

1. photobucket.com

2. create an account (it's free)

3. click upload pictures / videos

4. find the pictures in your computer (you do not have to upload one by one. you can use a few different methods to select multiple pictures at once. just hit the shift button and left click each picture you want to upload to photobucket to share on here. once you have selected all the pictures you want then hit close / next / finish / upload (once of those i cant remember what it says, basically the done button))

5. once all your pictures have downloaded onto photobucket, go the the picture and copy the IMG link (there are four diff kinds to post the pictures in diff types of setttings (i.e. email, forums) it's the img one is the fourth one on located at the bottom.

6. once you have copied the correct link just paste the link in this reply box or your original post and click save.

not sure if my directions are easy to follow but sharing pics via photobucket is very easy and takes very little effort and is also much better than using the image sharing option on this forum or any other forum for that matter.

TxTruckMan · September 10, 2015

My rates are a concern, but I have a clean record and accident forgiveness - whatever that means. I will have questions for my agent on this. I know what he'll say - the increased rates for ~3 years will be less than the depreciation on my vehicle for having retained damage. I know I wouldn't buy a Denali with any type of residual damage such as this - you don't know what else might be lingering or if was repaired correctly. That will make it harder to sell/trade. If I take the full loss now, then insurance eats the depreciation and I only pay through my rates for a short period of time.

muddkatt · September 10, 2015

Post them using photobucket.

muddkatt · September 10, 2015

Until I see the pictures of everything, I will not know for sure, but if it was me and you are giving accurate information, I would buy the salvage back.

TxTruckMan · September 10, 2015

Let's see if this works...

ember1205 · September 10, 2015

1. photobucket.com

2. create an account (it's free)

3. click upload pictures / videos

4. find the pictures in your computer (you do not have to upload one by one. you can use a few different methods to select multiple pictures at once. just hit the shift button and left click each picture you want to upload to photobucket to share on here. once you have selected all the pictures you want then hit close / next / finish / upload (once of those i cant remember what it says, basically the done button))

5. once all your pictures have downloaded onto photobucket, go the the picture and copy the IMG link (there are four diff kinds to post the pictures in diff types of setttings (i.e. email, forums) it's the img one is the fourth one on located at the bottom.

6. once you have copied the correct link just paste the link in this reply box or your original post and click save.

not sure if my directions are easy to follow but sharing pics via photobucket is very easy and takes very little effort and is also much better than using the image sharing option on this forum or any other forum for that matter.