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Trailer Hitch/Accident Concerns

merc1100sc
Explorer
Explorer
All,

Last week I was rearended in my 2016 2500HD by a smaller Chevy Cruise I think it was. The front of the car was banged up pretty bad. My trailer hitch took the most of the impact. There aren't any visible signs of damage but should I be concerned with the integrity of the hitch for towing?

I tow a Work and Play 28WPT.

Thoughts and concerns..

Thanks
28 REPLIES 28

D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Explorer
I am not sure about WA but in CA we can take a vehicle to any shop we want, we don't have to go to the insurance cos recommended shop. If you can chose the shop, tell them the circumstances and ask for replacement of the trailer connection. It doesn't take much to destroy those things and generally it is considered part and parcel of the hitch.

Like so many have said they hitches are cheap and when the wife was rear ended in our old towed, the shop automatically replace the hitch and wiring of a new connector.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson

David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
I would absolutely get it inspected and try for a new one.
When a hitch is hit it usually tries to rotate upward. You can have tears and cracks that are very hard to see.

merc1100sc
Explorer
Explorer
I have reached out to the insurance company and requested a replacement.

BenK
Explorer
Explorer
Unless you have X-Ray eyeballs and/or a magnetic flux field generator with lots of iron dust to sprinkle on it...I'd get a new one

Brand new prices range from around $150 to $250 bucks, plus about an hours time to remove/install

Then the frame of your TV...have it inspected and signed off in writing that it is straight

Vehicles are designed with crumple zones that collapse to absorb the energy of a crash. Not all of the energy was absorbed by that car, as your truck also took energy from that crash.

Work hardening and micro fractures are there. Question is how extensive is it. Plus on a high, dynamic stress component that connects your TV to trailer. "Tin Canning" is the potential issue over time. The cost to have it X-Ray'ed or MagnaFlux'ed would cost close to or more than a brand new one

Low cost enough to replace the receiver and not worry about it.

That is just my opinion...
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
It sounds like the Chevy Cruze absorbed most of the impact. But, as recommended above, have it inspected before you tow again.

merc1100sc
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the replies.

yes the other driver is at fault. Their insurance is covering the cost. The bumper has a small dent in it which they are replacing.
I'm thinking I should just ask for a new hitch to be safe. They will have the bumper off anyway so replacing the hitch is minimal.

KMLsquared
Explorer
Explorer
I would get it inspected for sure. My mom was rear ended in our old 1989 Chevy crew cab without a trailer. The hitch broke and the body shop welded the mounting ear back on. About to leave town for a race weeks later the hitch broke and dropped the tongue of the trailer digging up the brand new drive way at les schwalbs.
2002 Doge RAM LB QC 4x4 HO 6spd
2003 Rampage 33TB
2007 CRF80F
2006 TTR50E
2004 CRF70
2002 TTR125L
2002 Banshee
1969 Baja Bug

STBRetired
Explorer
Explorer
My MH was rear ended back in August. The insurance adjuster put the hitch replacement on the claim. Better that than have a failure later due to a cracked weld. Hitches are cheap compared to what can happen if it fails.
1999 Newmar MACA 3796 F53 6.8L
2016 Ford Edge Sport
Roadmaster Sterling A/T with Brake Buddy Select

newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Explorer II
they at fault get a new hitch

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
I would get it inspected and if something is amiss, then put a claim on the other guy's insurance. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." .... you know?

Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Explorer II
They rear ended you. I would be off to the best frame shop I could find to have the frame gauged on the rear enders dime. As heavy as these trucks are I still wouldn't take a chance as if something moved or bent it may not show up until later. The hitch is relatively nothing.

These trucks are too expensive to let something like that go.
Too many geezers, self appointed moderators, experts, and disappearing posts for me. Enjoy. How many times can the same thing be rehashed over and over?

bailer6334
Explorer
Explorer
If it wasn't damaged/bent anywhere I would say its fine. If you want to make sure its O.K. I would take it to the dealer, independent auto shop or a business which specializes in hitch installs, and have them check it out. The insurance company representing the driver who hit you should cover the cost of inspection.
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BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
Sorry about your accident. I would have the hitch inspected by a good mechanic or well recommended hitch or frame shop. There could be some welds broken that you cannot easily see or some of the mounting points may have been damaged. Probably nothing wrong, but I think it would be good money spent to make sure. Good thing it was there to save your vehicle! ๐Ÿ™‚

Edit: On thinking more about this, I believe I would probably pursue getting a new hitch from the other partys insurance company. Unless you live in a "No Fault" state like Michigan is, his insurance should probably cover the cost - especially since you were hit from behind. I don't think they would want the possible liability of a damaged hitch coming off and letting a trailer loose on the highway! I would certainly look into it.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
Those hitches are pretty strong. I wouldn't be concerned. Sounds like the plastic car took all the damage.
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