Total loss

[bovellois]

Major badluck on Tuesday, I was waiting in trafic during a white out 60 miles from home. There was no one behind me so I knew I was vulnerable. Then sure enough, out of the blizzard came this tiny car going way too fast. We know how parts or pizza delivery people drive. My exceptional truck is probably a total loss (axle was pushed forward so driveshaft pushed into the transfer case which is cracked). But most importantly, I am not injured.

If someone could guide me, I'd like to post a photo or a link to a photo of the aftermath.

Let's try one more time.

or go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/bovellois/15779528533/in/photostream/

[bovellois]

Firstly, thank you everyone for your thoughtful words, it meant a lot in the first few days when I could hardly sleep and I replayed the accident in my head, thinking with dispair about my wrecked plans and material loss.

Now an update: I'm getting the truck back plus a settlement that covers all of the repairs, which I will take care of. They even covered the 12 gallons of diesel that leaked out of the tank plus an empty fuel can that flew in the wind and my RV deep cycle battery that jumped out of the box only to get flattened by an 18 wheeler :-).

It pays to fight for what's yours. I'm waiting for the official police report (this is Quebec 😞 ) to see if I should sue the parts company for letting its drivers act at human missiles and wreck other people's lives. There is a law called "Duty to Care". Some people just have no clue what that means.

[bovellois]

deltabravo wrote:
I bet the delivery driver is looking for a new job now.

Hopefully the responding LEO's cited him for "driving too fast for conditions"

I would think so. I sure hope he gets a fine for it. People were saying to my wife "but the storm was so bad the guy could not see anything". Even more reason to slow down, duh!

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

The best tip I can give you is to add some kind of lubricity additive to your fuel! These trucks were never designed to run the ULSD fuel and most of the injection pump and injector failures are linked to excessive wear.

There are some that call these additives sink oil but I can tell you I ran them in my 2004 truck and it had 150,000 miles on it when I sold her. She ran great and made as good or better fuel mileage as my new truck. I'm using Opti-Lube XL extreme lubricant in my 2015 Eco-diesel.

http://opti-lube.com/diesel-fuel-improver.html

Don

[Cummins12V98]

bovellois wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I would look for a 01.5 or 02 RAM they have rear disk brakes and 6 speed stick. Great mileage and very trouble free.

Thanks for the tip. Trouble free once the fuel transfer pump has been upgraded, right?

Yes and most likely they all have had that done by now!

[deltabravo]

I bet the delivery driver is looking for a new job now.

Hopefully the responding LEO's cited him for "driving too fast for conditions"

[bovellois]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I would look for a 01.5 or 02 RAM they have rear disk brakes and 6 speed stick. Great mileage and very trouble free.

Thanks for the tip. Trouble free once the fuel transfer pump has been upgraded, right?

[bovellois]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Uninsured/under insured.

OP have to say having owned a 3rd gen 2004 Ram CTD and friends having 2nd gen trucks the 3rd gen are far better, make the best fuel mileage and are the must most sought Rams.

You will soon wounder why you held on to your 2nd gen so long. With that said I also find myself missing my 2004 at times but the new truck is hands down 100% better when it comes to comfort, quietness and ride.

Don

I'll find out soon, I'm picking up the 2005 this week. You might be right, but so far what I've heard about injector failure has intrigued me. Mind you, a lot of drivers abuse their vehicles then blame the technology.

Re 2015 Eco-diesel, I test drove one at the dealer, so I hear you 10-4. I'd pull travel trailers to the end of the earth with it 😉

[bovellois]

jerem0621 wrote:
The second gen is my favorite Ram. The only thing I have against them is that they are not available in a crew cab...

OP... If you like the truck I would be inclined to fix it...

That's the direction I'm going. Regarding cab, the 98 12v which was manufactured briefly, came with a rear door. Not crew cab of course, but better than mine.

[bovellois]

Hannibal wrote:
Ouch! Looks like the little car's passenger compartment held up pretty well too considering the offset impact. Glad everyone is ok. Good luck in your truck shopping adventure.

Yes, it's amazing. Mazda!

[Cummins12V98]

I would look for a 01.5 or 02 RAM they have rear disk brakes and 6 speed stick. Great mileage and very trouble free.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Uninsured/under insured.

OP have to say having owned a 3rd gen 2004 Ram CTD and friends having 2nd gen trucks the 3rd gen are far better, make the best fuel mileage and are the must most sought Rams.

You will soon wounder why you held on to your 2nd gen so long. With that said I also find myself missing my 2004 at times but the new truck is hands down 100% better when it comes to comfort, quietness and ride.

Don

[Cummins12V98]

dapperdan wrote:
Glad you're OK, that must've been one heck of a jolt to you. Make sure you're OK before signing off.

My S-I-L was hit at the end of a freeway exit ramp (she was stopped at light). Initially she didn't think she was too bad off either, a couple of weeks later her neck started to really bother her. Two neck surgeries and two and a half years later she can hardly work, she had to drop back to working only part time. She has neck problems all the time now.

The really sad part is the guy that hit her was a young man that was "under insured", he had coverage but not that much. She was told she'll be lucky to get her medical expenses paid for.

Dan

UH that's why you should have underinsured coverage.

[dapperdan]

Glad you're OK, that must've been one heck of a jolt to you. Make sure you're OK before signing off.

My S-I-L was hit at the end of a freeway exit ramp (she was stopped at light). Initially she didn't think she was too bad off either, a couple of weeks later her neck started to really bother her. Two neck surgeries and two and a half years later she can hardly work, she had to drop back to working only part time. She has neck problems all the time now.

The really sad part is the guy that hit her was a young man that was "under insured", he had coverage but not that much. She was told she'll be lucky to get her medical expenses paid for.

Dan

[jerem0621]

The second gen is my favorite Ram. The only thing I have against them is that they are not available in a crew cab...

OP... If you like the truck I would be inclined to fix it...