safety question concerning a hitch assembly
The DW and I have a 2017 Ram 1500 that will be our TV. It has the 5.7 hemi, and the complete tow package (brake controller, connections, HD hitch for the truck, etc). It will tow the trailer we are looking at, so that isn't the problem. Just laying the ground work.
The other day she was rear-ended on the way home from work. She is a bit sore but otherwise okay. The truck suffered a slightly bent bumper and a scuffed tailgate. The other vehicle (GMC Denali) met our Trailer Hitch. They did not become friends. The hitch took the brunt of the impact but appears to be completely undamaged.
My question. When we take it in to have it checked for the insurance claim, should we insist that the hitch be closely inspected and or replaced? I have looked under the truck and see no damage, but then I am not taking anything apart to check it either. I am sure they will check for a bent frame, damage, etc...but as we will be pulling a trailer with this truck eventually, I am concerned about the hitch's integrity now.
I am of the mind to tell them to replace the entire hitch assembly, regardless of whether they feel it might be good or not. IF they decide that it is in safe condition and won't replace it, I will insist that the underwriters give me a signed notarized statement indicating that the hitch meets DOT safety standards and that there is absolutely no damage to the hitch that will cause it to fail during normal usage. (of course, they will probably tell me to go pack sand too...but that will be another story)
So am I being over cautious? I know that the hitches are designed to meet DOT standards for towing and such, but they are also not designed to act as a bumper in an accident either.
The other day she was rear-ended on the way home from work. She is a bit sore but otherwise okay. The truck suffered a slightly bent bumper and a scuffed tailgate. The other vehicle (GMC Denali) met our Trailer Hitch. They did not become friends. The hitch took the brunt of the impact but appears to be completely undamaged.
My question. When we take it in to have it checked for the insurance claim, should we insist that the hitch be closely inspected and or replaced? I have looked under the truck and see no damage, but then I am not taking anything apart to check it either. I am sure they will check for a bent frame, damage, etc...but as we will be pulling a trailer with this truck eventually, I am concerned about the hitch's integrity now.
I am of the mind to tell them to replace the entire hitch assembly, regardless of whether they feel it might be good or not. IF they decide that it is in safe condition and won't replace it, I will insist that the underwriters give me a signed notarized statement indicating that the hitch meets DOT safety standards and that there is absolutely no damage to the hitch that will cause it to fail during normal usage. (of course, they will probably tell me to go pack sand too...but that will be another story)
So am I being over cautious? I know that the hitches are designed to meet DOT standards for towing and such, but they are also not designed to act as a bumper in an accident either.
