First Scratch x100

[Smitty1]

Hey Guys

First time poster – I have been lurking for a while – I am a first time 4Runner owner (2010 Metallic Grey - Upgrade Package in Canada) – I just love everything about the vehicle – it is a great ride compared to my old GMC Jimmy.

This past weekend I was planning a little ATV tour with my wife – so I was loading the trailer (which was attached to the 4 Runner) with the ATV – when the hitch came off the ball and rode up the back of the truck – I always make sure the hitch and ball are secured – which they where – but I guess the weight of the ATV popped it loose - what a mess – it dented the area below where the licence plate is located and made a huge scrape about 10-12” long right down to the steel.

My questions to you guys is – what will be done with this – do you think they can bend the metal back and paint it or do you think they will replace the whole back door section?

Any idea on what something like this is going to cost – I am not sure if I should go through insurance or not.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

 

[Quentin]

My advice is to start calling around to your local body shops and get quotes. Once you have 4 or 5 quotes, you can then determine if you want to turn it in on insurance.

On my Impreza, back in 2007, I scraped my passenger doors against a barrier at the gas station. I just cut the turn too tight and the barriers were low enough that they weren't visible to me. Salvage yard doors were $300 combined and the labor/supplies for paint was $1000. Having a $1000 collision deductible and discounts on my insurance for no claims, it would have actually cost me ~$3000 over 3 years ($1000 deductible and $600/year in lost discounts until the claim "dropped off" 3 years later) if I'd turned it in on insurance. It sucked paying for it out of pocket, but it was certainly the cheapest option.

 

[scanny]

When my wife hit a concrete support post on undeground parking lot and made a bad dent and scratch on sliding door of her minivan few years ago I found best price and very good job quality in our local MAACO. They managed to fix dent without replacing whole door, I remember I got few quotes from different bodyshops and worst was around $900, MAACO gave me around $350. But in your case I guess it depends on how bad your dent is, just try to get a few quotes in different places.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Did the metal crease? If it did you will want to replace it since its a new truck. No crease it can be pulled out and painted.

Just my opinion.

 

[Smitty1]

Thanks guys - I took the truck in today to be looked at - both guys said the same thing - it was creased and they would recommend getting a new skin...so I am waiting on a quote for that.

So my next question - what is a skin??

Thanks
Paul

 

[Boatdreamin]

Thanks guys - I took the truck in today to be looked at - both guys said the same thing - it was creased and they would recommend getting a new skin...so I am waiting on a quote for that.

So my next question - what is a skin??

Thanks
Paul

Basically it means cutting the outer skin off of the door and putting a new one on. The spot welds are cut out and then the new ones are rewelded. Sounds a lot worse than it is. We've done it a hundred times on doors. We don't usually recommend pulling and filling large dents on lift gates because they tend to get slammed and that can sometimes knock body filler loose over time. That's just our policy though, all shops are different.

 

[harper7]

Thanks guys - I took the truck in today to be looked at - both guys said the same thing - it was creased and they would recommend getting a new skin...so I am waiting on a quote for that.

So my next question - what is a skin??

Thanks
Paul

I doubt if they are going to find an aftermarket skin for the rear lift gate. Probably only Toyota and it's item #1 on page 153 of the parts manual. https://docs.google.com/fileview?id...jItODQyOS00ZjBkLWJkZmEtMDMyOGU4NWZkOTU4&hl=en
I actually would probably find a good body shop to try to fix it if it was coming out of my pocket or else claim it on insurance to replace it.I had the lift gate apart to take off just the garnish around the Toyota badge to paint. They cram alot of stuff with the glass and tracks,including lights,locks,wiper,motors,speakers,switches camera ect., inside that liftgate.It would very labor intensive and therefore very ,very expensive to replace the door sheet metal and repaint.

 

[Smitty1]

Thanks guys I did take it into my dealer as one of the places....any idea what a new skin would cost - it looks like a new lift gate cost about $700 + - would I need a whole new gate or do they get a skin seperate? Thanks for the link Harper.

Paul

 

[Smitty1]

Well I just got my first quote - they told me the rear gate cannot be skinned and they have to purchase a complete door shell - which is about $1100 CDN - with labour, paint and taxes - $2200 - that is amazing how much these parts cost.

I will let you know what my 2nd quote comes in at.

thanks
Paul

 

[pattycakes]

" I always make sure the hitch and ball are secured – which they where – "



There is no way this could happen if you were using the correct size ball and coupler and have it closed properly and pinned. Far too often I see trailers going down the road with no pins in them , towing is a major responability and can have bad concequences if everthing is not correct. I am anal about weights , GVWR , tongue weights , tire weight ratings etc....when towing everthing from my quad trailer to my 35 foot 5 wheel. If you slack on anything and cause a crash pe prepaired to be sued and loose the house and the whole shabang. That is my life lesson for today , :bravo: Sorry can't help with advice on the repair , but think what was said in an above post to get quotes and then do the math on your deductible and insurance rate increase vs paying out of pocket is your only options.

 

[Smitty1]

Thanks for the life lesson PC :hatsoff:the hitch and ball where secure and pinned properly - I have been towing for 40 yrs and this is the first issue I have ever had - the pin actually snapped in two (sorry I should have mentioned that above) - which released the hitch driving it into the back of my truck - lesson learned - always use a lock on the hitch or a stronger pin when loading the ATV.

I agree I see all kinds of people on the road with the load not pinned - very dangerous.

I spoke with my insurance company yesterday – they said I have accident forgiveness for my first claim and my deductable is $300 – so that is the route I am choosing

 

[dekeman]

Good thing it didn't happen when you were on the highway, or towing a boat.
That could have been bad.

Any pics of the damage?

 

[Smitty1]

I agree I am glad it happened in my driveway and not the highway....I will try to take some pics.

thanks
Paul

 

[Smitty1]

Here are some pics the insurance guy took.











Nice first scratch....you can really see the crease in the 4th shot.

thanks for your help guys

Paul

 

[Jesse1983]