Pulled frame vs new. 2018 ltz

BuCrew · December 8, 2018

So here's the situation... 2018 LTZ

Bout a month ago was rear ended and the Chevy body shop just called to inform me that they have successfully pulled the frame back to shape. The hitch was basically bent to where the spare tire is.

The truck was bought in late JAN, with 10k miles on it now. Now I have to drive my brand new truck with a pulled frame and be worried about getting rear ended again, and the integrity not being the same as it was..

Would you guys B**** and complain to the opposing insurance company to get you a whole new frame or just deal with the pulled frame? They are still in the repair process obviously... IDK what to do.

btj_z71 · December 8, 2018

1 hour ago, BuCrew said:

So here's the situation... 2018 LTZ

Bout a month ago was rear ended and the Chevy body shop just called to inform me that they have successfully pulled the frame back to shape. The hitch was basically bent to where the spare tire is.

The truck was bought in late JAN, with 10k miles on it now. Now I have to drive my brand new truck with a pulled frame and be worried about getting rear ended again, and the integrity not being the same as it was..

Would you guys B**** and complain to the opposing insurance company to get you a whole new frame or just deal with the pulled frame? They are still in the repair process obviously... IDK what to do.

I have usaa and when I was rear ended, they replaced the frame.

1SLOW1500 · December 8, 2018

I know I know I'm the crazy mod everything guy and many others aren't. But for example if you where planing a lowered truck say with a notch now is the best time. Frames and labor is expensive stuff. I would have to see the damage but Knowing myself I would park it and get a frame strip it mount all the parts I need welded on and coat it.

RubWhore · January 10, 2019

Frames do pop back into their mangled position more often than not. I would expect a new frame as these are not cheep truck.

Mike GMC · January 10, 2019

If they have already spent money to staighten it, you my be SOL getting a new frame. I was rear-ended recently as well. They totalled my 15 Sierra SLT AT. I just replaced it with a new 18 Silverado LTZ Z71. You should be getting diminished value from the insurance. If you just can't live with it, you want to trade it in for another new one once you get it back. Hopefully the trade in value plus diminished value will get you close to replacement price. The deals right now are pretty good.

midwestdenaliguy · January 10, 2019

From your post it sounds like they just went ahead and pulled it without talking to you first. If that's the case I'd argue that I want a new frame, not your fault they didn't talk to you first. The idea of the repairs is to get it back in the same condition as it was prior to the accident (if not better). Your frame integrity is now less than what it was prior to the accident. Argue safety concerns until you're blue in the face.

dkjbama · January 10, 2019

An inattentive lady bent my bedside when she backed into it with less than 3k miles on my new 18. I used the dealer body shop. Manager was good enough to get me a whole new bedside instead of bondo. He mentioned to me that his shop doesn't straighten frames PERIOD. Any bent frame on a K2 or newer truck means they order a new frame and transplant the truck onto it. My guess is the at-fault party's insurance company pushed hard to get them to do it on the cheap. I'd personally be pretty PO'd at the body shop for giving in.

TXGREEK · January 10, 2019

Call the body shop and demand to know why if the frame was bent, why you didn’t get a new frame!!? From there call the insurance company and demand a new frame

Sent from above

SierraHD17 · January 10, 2019

I personally would almost rather have it repaired than some monkeys that make $15 an hour at a body shop and aren't mechanics or any ticketed anything take the entire truck apart and reassemble it. If they guarantee the work in writing that would be a good start. That is if it's not terrible damage.

Get your diminished value claim in and go inspect it. If the damage was minor and it's straight again that's what matters. Metal has pretty good memory and it's amazing what will straighten back out and be fine. It work hardens it where it bends but that doesn't mean it's a failure. If it crumpled that's a different story and at best you are stuck sectioning it or as mentioned already replacing the entire chassis being it's a light weight boxed setup.

Pearl2017 · January 10, 2019

My concern would be that if the hitch area got bent up it may now have diminished towing capacity. Force them to get a new frame with safety concern or take the reduced value and trade in. Good luck.

Leevon · January 11, 2019

Dad went through this exact scenario a few months ago on his '14 High Country. Rear ended with a trailer on, bent the hitch almost 90 degrees down. Granted, more miles and older but still a valuable truck. He did not want a pulled frame, wanted new but did not win that argument so he argued for diminished value, which they agreed to. Last week, he received a payoff notice and SALVAGE title in the mail...no warning, no discussion. Talk about pissed. Mom said he was through the roof and called me to calm him down.

njk4o5 · January 11, 2019

most times the insurance co will just do whatever they want. if a new frame is $5000 and bending the damaged one back is $500 goodluck getting them to shell out for a new frame

Smitty · January 11, 2019

On 1/10/2019 at 9:40 AM, Mike GMC said:

If they have already spent money to staighten it, you my be SOL getting a new frame. I was rear-ended recently as well. They totalled my 15 Sierra SLT AT. I just replaced it with a new 18 Silverado LTZ Z71. You should be getting diminished value from the insurance. If you just can't live with it, you want to trade it in for another new one once you get it back. Hopefully the trade in value plus diminished value will get you close to replacement price. The deals right now are pretty good.

This is a very good point, if they make you stick with that truck, make sure you get compensated for the diminished value of your truck. Anyone who sees a carfax report on a bent frame isn't going to want that thing.

BB68 · January 11, 2019

6 hours ago, Leevon said:

Dad went through this exact scenario a few months ago on his '14 High Country. Rear ended with a trailer on, bent the hitch almost 90 degrees down. Granted, more miles and older but still a valuable truck. He did not want a pulled frame, wanted new but did not win that argument so he argued for diminished value, which they agreed to. Last week, he received a payoff notice and SALVAGE title in the mail...no warning, no discussion. Talk about pissed. Mom said he was through the roof and called me to calm him down.

Cant say I blame him or wouldnt have blown up either. If its salvaged they should have bought it from him.

Leevon · January 15, 2019

Well, crap I just joined the club a few hours ago. That's what I get for commenting. I was rear-ended while stopped at a light, the other truck was going 45-50mph. Frame is bent, bed went into the cab, some sort of airbag deployed inside (can't tell what it was dark and chaotic). So I'm either going to be fighting this same fight soon or looking for a new truck. Fortunately I do a ton of business with the body shop, they will hopefully help get this thing scrapped!