Trailer Hitch/Accident Concerns

[merc1100sc]

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

[D_E_Bishop]

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.

[ScottG]

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]

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

[BenK]

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...

[gbopp]

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

[merc1100sc]

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]

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.

[STBRetired]

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.

[newman_fulltime]

they at fault get a new hitch

[DutchmenSport]

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]

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.

[bailer6334]

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.

[BarneyS]

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! 🙂

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

[azdryheat]

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