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.

Glad your wife is OK.If the 1/2 ton is like the HD trucks, the hitch assembly is actually a cross member. I would check it over very closely for damage. They are designed to rotate upward in a crash. You should be able to put a drawbar in it and see if that has happened at all. I would also inspect welds for cracks.And yes, have the shop check it very closely too.Good luck,Scott

Were it my truck I would insist on a new hitch. Those things take too many forces in all different directions to take a chance on one that has been hit in an accident.Barney

Absolutely get the hitch inspected and if damaged, it should be restored to it's original condition, no other alternatives there. Make it perfectly clear to the "shop" that you tow a trailer. Not only is YOUR safety paramount, but so is everyone else's on the road around you. If the hitch cannot be fixed, replaced, restored to it's original condition, then it's time to dispute the functionality of the truck with your insurance company as it cannot be used then, for the purpose it was originally intended ... towing!

BarneyS wrote:Were it my truck I would insist on a new hitch. Those things take too many forces in all different directions to take a chance on one that has been hit in an accident.BarneyThis is good advice...I sure wouldn't chance it. Too much at stake.

Definitely have it replaced. Most hitches have at least one major cast component, so it won't bend, but it could be cracked under the paint. If there's any "spider web" marks on the receiver/crossmember, or any other indication it's deformed, I'd demand that be replaced too. This could required a new rear frame section, but better than chancing a trailer coming loose.

safety question concerning a hitch assembly | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
Mar 15, 2018
Glad your wife is OK.
If the 1/2 ton is like the HD trucks, the hitch assembly is actually a cross member. I would check it over very closely for damage. They are designed to rotate upward in a crash. You should be able to put a drawbar in it and see if that has happened at all. I would also inspect welds for cracks.
And yes, have the shop check it very closely too.

Good luck,
Scott
BarneyS
Explorer III
Mar 15, 2018
Were it my truck I would insist on a new hitch. Those things take too many forces in all different directions to take a chance on one that has been hit in an accident.
Barney
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Mar 15, 2018
Absolutely get the hitch inspected and if damaged, it should be restored to it's original condition, no other alternatives there. Make it perfectly clear to the "shop" that you tow a trailer. Not only is YOUR safety paramount, but so is everyone else's on the road around you.

If the hitch cannot be fixed, replaced, restored to it's original condition, then it's time to dispute the functionality of the truck with your insurance company as it cannot be used then, for the purpose it was originally intended ... towing!
downtheroad
Explorer
Mar 16, 2018
BarneyS wrote:
Were it my truck I would insist on a new hitch. Those things take too many forces in all different directions to take a chance on one that has been hit in an accident.
Barney

This is good advice...I sure wouldn't chance it. Too much at stake.
carringb
Explorer
Mar 16, 2018
Definitely have it replaced. Most hitches have at least one major cast component, so it won't bend, but it could be cracked under the paint. If there's any "spider web" marks on the receiver/crossmember, or any other indication it's deformed, I'd demand that be replaced too. This could required a new rear frame section, but better than chancing a trailer coming loose.
eHoefler
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2018
there is a pair of pucks welded to it where it sits in the frame and cannot be seen unless the hitch is removed, which requires the bed be raise off the fraim rails. I would have the hitch replaced anf the frame inspected and jigged up on a frame machine
TurnThePage
Explorer
Mar 16, 2018
Having looked at my own Ram 1500 hitch pretty closely, I would absolutely insist it be totally replaced. In the old days it might just be another stout cross member to the frame, but the current one looks designed specifically for a single purpose. I wouldn't trust it outside of that use.
BadgerMcAdams
Explorer
Mar 16, 2018
Thank you all for your input...It pretty much mirrors my thoughts on this. After 20 years of military service working in the munitions field, I at times tend to err on the side of caution and over-engineering...comes from working around things that can really ruin your day if you mess up.

I will tell the shop that we want the entire hitch assembly replaced...Period. Our safety and the safety of all those who drive beside, behind and anywhere around a trailer we would be towing is more important than the Insurance Company's bottom line.
nevadanick
Explorer
Mar 16, 2018
I got bumped into and it took the paint off the end of the hitch. The insurance company included the hitch in the payment without question.
ACZL
Explorer
Mar 17, 2018
Not only the hitch could be damaged, but what about where it attaches to the frame? Is the frame tweaked? Bolts ok? I agree w/ everyone that this area is of utmost importance (besides OP's health and well being.....Glad she's ok BTW) as you have "X" pounds behind you which is essentially a "X" pound missile.