Rear Ended - how bad? totaled?

[freemti]

Got rear ended 2 days ago, repair will be covered by insurance but I am worried (or maybe happy?) that my truck may be effectively totaled and I should push for replacement cost.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oaEuaT3PIR-kFxnzkkMemFeSC1WexRtwWA/view?usp=sharing

 

[Dirtman]

You need a bumper and a tailgate, cant see them totaling it over that unless you have frame damage... Personally I'd use the insurance money to buy something cool and then find a bumper and gate at the scrapyard.

 

[freemti]

I'm worried about the tow hitch and how it is bent down at almost a 45 degree angle. I figure that is well connected to the frame and ergo the frame is at least partially bent.

 

[Dirtman]

There's nothing back there to throw out of alignment. Even if the rear rails are bent down a bit, unless it moved the spring hangers it will still drive fine. Have an alignment shop check it.

 

[Ranger850]

It's not that bad
You should be able to straighten out good enough.

 

[91stranger]

It doesn't look like they would total it over that. A lot of these rangers get real bad frame rot on the ends where the hitch bolts up so more than likely you bent or broke just the last 6-8 inches of the frame which more than likely did not tweak the leaf spring brackets so it should still drive good and straight. I would do like the others have said and buy your own parts at a pick n pull and then cash that check. Honestly the tailgate looks like you might be able to pull that dent with a good suction cup or heat. Used bumper for $50, weld up some new metal for the rear. BTW what is with the square tube you had in the hitch? what's that for?

 

[freemti]

BTW what is with the square tube you had in the hitch? what's that for?

a reducer for a hitch mounted bike rack

 

[sgtsandman]

That looks totally repairable.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That looks totally repairable.

It is.

IMO it greatly depends on how the frame is. Repairable is one thing, economically repairable is what insurance is going to have to figure out.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Coulda just bent the hitch to depending on how the hitch is designed.

Personally if they total it id buy it back, fixit myself, and keep on truckin. Or, just drive it like that and take the ol lady to a nice dinner.

 

[Shran]

My latest purchase got hit a little harder than that in the same spot and the frame was bent all the way up to the cab. The receiver hitch twisted the frame - I think it wouldn't have been as bad had it not been there. It was totalled.

I think you should post a side view of the truck - if the body lines are still even, it won't be a big deal. It is certainly fixable in any case.

 

[ZMan]

The old Rangers are holding their value well. I don't know what options yours has, but depending on if its 4x4, extended cab, etc, the value might be high enough for it to be a fixer.

The frame is DEFINTELY damaged. Both bedsides might be damaged and written for refinish as well.

 

[stmitch]

It really depends on the specs for your truck. What year? Engine/trans? 4wd? How many miles? Unless your truck is 2010 or newer, 4.0/4WD with super low miles I'd say it's probably totaled. But that's just a guess.

Around here, most Rangers have a super low book value. $5k gets a pretty good one. A tailgate, frame repair/replace, bumper, and paint/body work will likely total it if it's worth $5k-ish.

But that's also not a fatal hit, and could be repaired and back on the road pretty easily and cheaply if you want to keep your truck.

 

[freemti]

There's nothing back there to throw out of alignment. Even if the rear rails are bent down a bit, unless it moved the spring hangers it will still drive fine. Have an alignment shop check it.

both rails are bent, one more than the other AND on one side the spring hanger is offset like 1/2 - 3/4"

 

[freemti]

[update] looked at damage with adjuster at the body shop

It was clear to see that both frame rails are bent/twisted/pinched which ever term or combination of terms is the right description. In addition one of the leaf spring holding brackets was pushed out of place maybe like 1/2" or more. The entire town package assembly was clearly bent and pushed down and in by 30 degrees or more. Other minor issues like damage to the gate and one of the side panels along with damage to the spare.

The adjuster and the body shop people said that "fixing" the frame while possible would not be authorized as a valid repair by Ford and therefore by the insurance company. The only option would be a new frame and a new after market tow package, plus all the other misc. repairs. If all that is estimated to cost more than 80% of some legally defined "cost" of the vehicle - then they consider it totaled and cut me a check for replacement or maybe appraised cost - not sure which,

Note my truck is a 2011 Range XLT 4x4 with super cab (tiny fold down seats) with ~64K miles. Quick google suggested similar trucks are asking ~$10-11K+