Truck rear ended. Possible loss? Questions

tatooz74 · August 24, 2016

Hello. My 2014 GMC Sierra SLT was rear ended by a MAC truck. A ton of damage, see pics. The whole rear bed was pushed against my cab. My airbags did not deploy, however the plastic piece on the back of the front seat flew off, and my seat belt is locked into position. I could see that my frame was cracked, or so I think. I know I will need a whole new bed and doors, seats, seat belts. Insurance adjustor has yet to call me back and I took it in this morning to the collision place, however the estimator was a bit clueless and has to have a manager look at it. He mentioned it might be a total loss. At this point I think i more worried about the frame than anything. Can you even replace a frame? I am not sure how this works and if anybody has any experience in what I should be asking, requesting or demanding it would be greatly appreciated.

BlueCrayon · August 24, 2016

Wow looks pretty bad, glad you're ok!

tatooz74 · August 24, 2016

Forgot to mention i did have whiplash and back/neck is sore. Again, not sure if I claim that as well. Sorry to be a newbie, however never had a major crash like this.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 24, 2016

Good thing you're for the most part fine.

Being that the frame is most likely bent and cracked as you say, and that every body part from the rear doors on back will have to be replaced I'm sure it will be a total loss. I guess you'll be getting a '16. Not a bad time either since '17s are about starting to show up or will real soon and being the end of the month it will be easier to get a loan. This is the reason I made sure to pay that little bit extra for the GAP insurance when I got my '14 in case something like this happened within the first 2-3 years.

TxTruckMan · August 24, 2016

Frame damage will likely drive this to a total loss. Where do you live? Glad you're ok. Is it a reg, double, or crew cab? Can't tell from pics.

tmo · August 24, 2016

Not to mention the cab. I think with those dents in the cab, the cab would have to be replaced as well. I don't know for sure, but I think that's how that works.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tatooz74 · August 24, 2016

its a Crew Cab. I am in California. The collision adjustor mentioned they might be able to weld the frame back and piece weld it. I told him that I think he needs to get a manager involved because while I don't know much about it, I was pretty sure you can not weld a frame back and expect the truck to run like it should.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 24, 2016

its a Crew Cab. I am in California. The collision adjustor mentioned they might be able to weld the frame back and piece weld it. I told him that I think he needs to get a manager involved because while I don't know much about it, I was pretty sure you can not weld a frame back and expect the truck to run like it should.

I've seen frames sectioned and welded back together so it can be done if done right. I personally would just prefer a new frame. There's at least a couple people on this forum that I read had the entire frame replaced.

Resqu2 · August 25, 2016

its a Crew Cab. I am in California. The collision adjustor mentioned they might be able to weld the frame back and piece weld it. I told him that I think he needs to get a manager involved because while I don't know much about it, I was pretty sure you can not weld a frame back and expect the truck to run like it should.

If that's the final answer from them I'd be getting a lawyer involved asap. I'm not a sue happy kind of guy but I'd not get screwed because someone else totaled my truck.

Fountain_NGA · August 25, 2016

My 2016 was rear ended and didn't have nearly this much damage and they ended up replacing the frame, bumper, and entire bed. Cost the other guys insurance just shy of $20k to repair a 5 month old truck. I will mention that when the frame appears to be cracked it may actually just be the protective coating that appears that way.

Also, the adjuster is mistaken. These frames cannot be sectioned or heated at all per GMs repair guidelines. That was confirmed to me by two separate insurance adjusters and the repair shop.

victorsdaddy · August 25, 2016

My 2014 Ram had the frame replaced after being rear ended last yr.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

TxTruckMan · August 25, 2016

its a Crew Cab. I am in California. The collision adjustor mentioned they might be able to weld the frame back and piece weld it. I told him that I think he needs to get a manager involved because while I don't know much about it, I was pretty sure you can not weld a frame back and expect the truck to run like it should.

I've seen frames sectioned and welded back together so it can be done if done right. I personally would just prefer a new frame. There's at least a couple people on this forum that I read had the entire frame replaced.

My 2016 was rear ended and didn't have nearly this much damage and they ended up replacing the frame, bumper, and entire bed. Cost the other guys insurance just shy of $20k to repair a 5 month old truck. I will mention that when the frame appears to be cracked it may actually just be the protective coating that appears that way.

Also, the adjuster is mistaken. These frames cannot be sectioned or heated at all per GMs repair guidelines. That was confirmed to me by two separate insurance adjusters and the repair shop.

I'm one of those guys that had frame damage and can confirm that you cannot do much to (correctly) repair these new HSS frames. My 2014 Denali was totaled because of slight frame damage. If the shop follows GM repair manuals, you cannot repair much due to the High Strength Steel. Frame replacement is the usual outcome if you want it done correctly.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 25, 2016

I'm one of those guys that had frame damage and can confirm that you cannot do much to (correctly) repair these new HSS frames. My 2014 Denali was totaled because of slight frame damage. If the shop follows GM repair manuals, you cannot repair much due to the High Strength Steel. Frame replacement is the usual outcome if you want it done correctly.

I guess the times I've seen people section frames were on older frames from the 70s or older. Didn't really think it was much of a difference with the frames now, but apparently it is. But, I see stretched frames on 18 wheelers all the time so either that's not the same material as these pickups or it really is safe, but the companies just don't want to be liable if a weld isn't good enough or something.

TxTruckMan · August 25, 2016

I guess the times I've seen people section frames were on older frames from the 70s or older. Didn't really think it was much of a difference with the frames now, but apparently it is. But, I see stretched frames on 18 wheelers all the time so either that's not the same material as these pickups or it really is safe, but the companies just don't want to be liable if a weld isn't good enough or something.

Right, the recent switch to HSS changes things significantly.