Uhaul got me!

[Rustyraindog]

I had to rent a trailer to tow my daughters car. I screwed up and didn't triple check the connection and when she started to drive on, the trailer came off and gouged the tailgate. I bought the insurance only to find out when they denied my claim. that the vehicle doing the towing is not covered if damaged by their equipment. I am livid to say the least! All three body shops say new tailgate. Time to start looking for a good used one or pay out about $2500 when all is said and done. I doubt if Progressive is gonna cover it, but they will get a call.

 

[Brandon-w]

Just be happy it's not a Ford. It'd look like a ripped popcan.

 

[Slinge]

Probably be covered if you have Comprehensive

 

[GTyankee]

Any good body shop could straighten it out.
They would pull the tailgate inspection cover to get to it

check the price for that, against a good used tailgate & getting it painted.

Either way, the Tailgate comes off very easily, so you can continue to drive your Ram.

IF you need to haul something, all pickup trucks of every brand, makes slots for 2 by 6s or 2 by 8s

 

[diymirage]

Just be happy it's not a Ford. It'd look like a ripped popcan.

funny you should mention that
i had my tandem axle boat trailer pop of the ball and "kiss" the tailgate of my superdookie

and by "kiss" i mean poke right through it

a ripped popcan pretty well covers it

 

[Rlaf75]

Call your insurance company

 

[olyelr]

Your insurance company has to cover it. But, will your rates go up…that is the question!

 

[chopperman1]

It popped off, not you forgot to check it..... Your auto insurance will cover it. You'll have to pay the deductible but there won't be any surcharges.

 

[tron67j]

Insurance will probably want to replace with one that is aftermarket, which can be okay but my experience it gets you one that may not fit exactly correctly in all gaps, or metal may not be fully framed properly to prevent future damage if you go through insurance go to a Ram dealer for repair, they may be able to get you a new OEM for near cost of aftermarket. Also, they will first try to find one that is LKQ, which is Like Kind and Quality and is a used one that is generally rated A0, no damage. This could be a great way to save money and get OEM. In fact, search www.car-parts.com and you may find one that even matches color already of a front damage truck.

I believe you can use up to a 2018 tailgate plus 2019 up classic. Either 1500 or 2500 but check with recycler to see if it is a fit. Even if different color you can get a pretty close match in painting it and with minimal fender surface area on other side of gap it shouldn't really show if tone is off. The sticker is tricky, you may be able to order or take tailgate to a vinyl sign maker and they may be able to create one. This could save your experience rating with insurance and not break the bank

Good luck.

 

[GTyankee]

Tailgates would be the same, 2009 - 2018 in the 1500 model are the same, possibly all Gen 4 models

With the 2500 & 3500 models, the years would begin a year later, from 2010 & newer

 

[GTyankee]

Last week a member of this Ramforum
mentioned that the tailgate widths have been the same for 3rd, 4th,& 5th gen rams

4th Gen Tailgate on a 3rd Gen Dodge Ram



4th Gen Rams have a water catcher, at the top of the tailgate, but it is only the Plastic Cap
4th Gen without the cap



5th Gens have a Flat top



I have NOT been able to find the actual measurement of the TOTAL Height of the 5th Gen Ram Tailgate
They only give the Bed Depth for the DT Rams

They changed the Tailgate Hinge Point Types on the DTs
ie: Male & Female pivot points

 

[62Blazer]

Very frustrating with something like that happens. Did you hook up the trailer, or did a U-Haul employee hook it up? If either the U-Haul employee hooked up the trailer, or if it was caused by an actual equipment malfunction or failure, I would think U-Haul should be responsible. Though fighting with them and proving it can be a hassle.
In regards to your insurance, they should cover it. Not sure why they wouldn't? A few years ago I was pulling a flatbed trailer with lumber on it and a car pulled out in front me. I slammed on the brakes to prevent hitting the car but the load slid forward and dented the tailgate (The bundle of boards were banded together under the factory wrapper/package, and the bundle had 4 heavy ratchet straps on it....the boards in the middle of the bundle slid out).
As mentioned above, one option would be to find a factory tailgate of the same color in a junkyard. You could then have the Power Wagon sticker applied to it (if you can find it). Doing a real quick search on Google looks like you could get one for $300-$500 and slap it on yourself.

 

[markabby]

happened to me once, except the tongue bit the rear bumper and put a small dent in it. worst part was the truck was only a couple of weeks old.

the cause? pilot error. lesson learned. now i triple check all my connections

 

[GTyankee]

It might buff right out

 

[Rustyraindog]

This is the exclusion they used.

“7. SAFETOW PROTECTION
SafeTow provides protection for Customer’s vehicle being towed, personal contents in the towed
vehicle and contents in the towed U-Haul trailer During Transportation. There is no protection for
the towing vehicle.

 

[Sandevino]

This right here is why you ALWAYS triple check the trailer coupler.

Same goes for snapping the cargo straps and saying “that’s not going anywhere” for each strap.

 

[Dean2]

I had to rent a trailer to tow my daughters car. I screwed up and didn't triple check the connection and when she started to drive on, the trailer came off and gouged the tailgate. I bought the insurance only to find out when they denied my claim. that the vehicle doing the towing is not covered if damaged by their equipment. I am livid to say the least! All three body shops say new tailgate. Time to start looking for a good used one or pay out about $2500 when all is said and done. I doubt if Progressive is gonna cover it, but they will get a call.
View attachment 556724

In addition to the excellent comments by 62Blaser:

Two things, that should not need a new tailgate to fix. I would find a better body shop. Second, UHaul is so notoriously bad that there are a few law firms in the States that make all or a lot of their income from suing just UHaul. You can also go after them in small claims court. According to your account, their defective equipment damaged your vehicle, whatever their insurance form says is irrelevant.

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[5150Eddie]

Looks like a fairly EZ fix on yours. If you find you need a new tailgate, this place is a good source. It's where I found a replacement after one of mine rotted out prematurely.

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[patricktxfl]

PDR and a funny sticker it's a truck

 

[inuyasha-rules]

It might buff right out

View attachment 556814

Is it just me, or does that dent look like you backed into someone doing 75? Like I clearly see head, chin, nose, shoulders, and possibly a tie