When it rains, it pours....

[W4RLR]

I just got my truck out of the body shop, and then I get what happened today.

I had to get my generators to the shop for a tune up, so it was time for everyone to help out. The wife and son attached the trailer to the hitch while I dealt with the safety chains and light plug.

Just in front of the shop, I hit a bump, and the trailer detached from the hitch. All I could hear was the steady 'bang bang bang' as the coupler hit the tailgate.

My guess to have the body shop make it like new would be about $1800 if the last bill for the pickup bed is any indication. -mad

So I see several choices.

1. leave the truck the way it is (don't like that one)
2. go to a salvage yard and find a truck with a screwed up bed, but a good tailgate (no, the yards here will not sell a tailgate off a good bed)
3. remove tailgate, and get one of those louvered gates that accomodates a fifth wheel hitch (the only ones I see around here are flimsy pieces of plastic)
4. bite the bullet and pay cash for the repair (I dare not file another insurance claim!)

Any ideas?

 

[Frankenstien]

hmmmmm Maybe time for that Louvered tail gate.... or Bone yard...

 

[BamaSixGun]

richard, i just screwed up my tailgate last saturday, for some reason you are supposed to lock the fifth wheel, go figure.

i too was faced with what you are now. i decided to get the new 2008 tailgate without the step.

me thinks it will look mucho gooder

sorry to hear about your misfortune buddy.

 

[Mobeydick]

Call a Few Body shops. I've picked up two one didn't even need painting. I got it for $250 installed. Someone put a Fifth wheel Tailgate on and just let the Body shop have theirs.

 

[happeetxn]

Call a few body shops and tell them this is not an insurance claim and that you will be paying out of you pocket. I did this once and the prices were less expensive.
Craig

 

[BamaSixGun]

Call a few body shops and tell them this is not an insurance claim and that you will be paying out of you pocket. I did this once and the prices were less expensive.
Craig

i believe your right about that craig, but also, the two tailgates that i have messed up, were so bad, the cheapest and easiest way out, was to buy a brand new one.

they have them on ebay all day for less than 100.00.

the first one i bought, was 205.00 thru ford. it never donged on me to check ebay back then.

 

[Maxtor]

Go with option #3,
Mine is all metal, and very well made. I think I paid around $350 for it.

 

[RoyBoy]

You guys and your tailgates...

 

[Got Diesel]

Royboy, you are gonna jack yours up next time you pull a trailer for that comment.

 

[WD40]

Make sure the fifth wheel hitch is closed when you back up under the trailer. Then make sure the hitch is locked behind the fifth wheel pin. Then lock the safety latch and you will not be dropping the trailers.