Houston Car Wars, New TV needed

BigDTx · 05-18-2011, 07:43 AM

Well yestrday on my way to work I was a victim of Houston Traffic. I was hit from behind while stopped in a line of cars. After I was hit from behind I was also pushed into the car in front of me. Dr says I have the classic case of whiplash, headache and stiff neck. Body shop says it may be totaled since it is a 2000 model with over 135K miles. Of course I just bought 4 new tires about 2 months ago. The guy who hit me is fully insured. I hope this all works out good considereing if they total my truck there is no way the pay out I get will be enough to repalce the truck. If theey repair it it may never drive teh same. Also my receiver took a pretty good bashing, will it still be safe to tow with?

Here is one pic.

MtnGuy · 05-18-2011, 07:51 AM

Man, big time bummer. Hope you recover fully from your neck injuries.

Make sure a hitch replacement is included with any estimate if the truck is repaired.

08flagvlite · 05-18-2011, 08:24 AM

WOW, what a bummer!! Lay underneath the back area, and look at the frame. If that got bent, then they probably will not repair it. If it did noy, and you are handy with tools, you can get another bed from a junkyard vor craigslist, and replace that yourself. There is only like 8 bolts that hold the bed onto the frame. Can't see the front- is that very bad? Man, sorry for your truck, and I hope you get feeling better. Randy

BigDTx · 05-18-2011, 08:47 AM

I am not completely sure but this may be the frame rail coming through the front bumper/air damn.

Thank you all for the concern,

EdJunior · 05-18-2011, 06:36 PM

Ow...dang Dan. I know the Houston traffic well. Sorry man. Well, maybe you'll get an updated, better truck out of the deal. We're hoping for you.

BigDTx · 05-18-2011, 09:08 PM

Thanks Ed, I was on FM 249 and traffic was stopped as usual, I was just setting there with my foot on the brake and BAM! You know Houston traffic at 7:15 AM is killer with the rush hour. I am going to insist on a new receiver either way the insurance decides if it is totaled or repairable. I think being over 11 years old and 135K miles they will hand me a check. In the mean time I am in a rental provided from the liable party's insurance and it is a 2011 Silverado 4 Door, very nice, but no receiver hitch on it

BigDTx · 05-18-2011, 09:17 PM

The bed is much closer to the Cab than before the accident. It actually struck the cab and damaged it below the rear window.

BigDTx · 05-18-2011, 09:22 PM

Looking for a F250 or a 1500HD/2500, gasoline, 4 door, autmatic, Big V8, 2 wheel drive. The retail on my truck according to Kelly Blue Book is a little over 7K and the trade/private party is from 4500-5500. that is without the receiver and snug top bed cover, they will also have to pay me for.

seven_campers · 05-18-2011, 09:29 PM

I had a GMC 1500HD,CC, 4x4, w/6.0L and miss it. That truck could get up and go!!!

Hope you find something soon.

tmh462 · 05-18-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielflading

The bed is much closer to the Cab than before the accident. It actually struck the cab and damaged it below the rear window.

That's one reason Ford redesigned the F150. Many times, even a minor accident will cause many thousands more in repairs because of the way the bed will smack the cab (and vice-versa) in an otherwise minor accident.

It's barely possible the bed shifted on the frame, but more likely the frame got tweaked in between the front of the bed and rear of the cab.

sherdep · 05-18-2011, 10:06 PM

It blows that your TV maybe totaled - but atleast you are ok with minor injury

Like stated above - hopefully you will find the right TV you are looking for and nver have to look back

08flagvlite · 05-18-2011, 11:23 PM

Both the cab and the bed are bolted to the frame using rubber insulators that will allow a certain amount of shock movement- possibly enough to push it into the rear of the cab. In the front, that does look to be the frame cutting into that plastic bumper. The rear bumper and reciever are bolted directly to the frame on the back. A good frame shop can straighten the frame if it's not too bad; but you're talking expensive pretty quick, in that scenario. Again, sorry for your loss! Sometimes they will allow you to keep the truck and pay you up to the totaled value, so you can fix it yourself. I did that with my son's 95 Dodge Ram, put on another bed and a pass. door, did some body work then we repainted it in my garage. Got a check for 3500, cost me about 1200 in parts and paint. We supplied the labor ourselves. Randy

BigDTx · 05-19-2011, 05:47 PM

Well I got the bad news phone call today, my truck is offically totaled, they are offering me about 7500 as a pay off or I can keep the truck and they will give me about 5300 back. In the meantime I found a 2003 eddie bauer expeditioin 4x2 loaded for 10K, the ford 2003 towing guide says it will pull 8900 lbs maximun loaded trailer weight. My F150 was rated at less maximun load than the expedition, maybe the expedition has a longer wheel base?? So any suggestoins? Who tows with a expedition 5.4L auto?

Now where did I leave my pain pills!

Dan

DogandTrailer · 05-19-2011, 05:55 PM

Is that a 3v expo 5.4? I dont know when they started putting them into the expos, but the 5.4 3v early on werent that great. They suffered from cam phaser issues and spark plugs shooting out the blocks...

See if the maintenance has been done prior to buying it.

Bummer about your old truck. Glad to hear that you are ok. Metal can be rebent and fixed or bought new. People cant be. Good thing you werent hurt.

BigDTx · 05-19-2011, 05:59 PM

my 2000 F150 had the same 5.4L auto and I never experienced the problems you are talking about, I had 135K miles on it at time if accident. I have heard of the powerstroke 6.0 problems and I have seen the 4.6L shoot plugs out the head but not heard bad about the 5.4L

EdJunior · 05-19-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielflading

Looking for a F250 or a 1500HD/2500, gasoline, 4 door, autmatic, Big V8, 2 wheel drive. The retail on my truck according to Kelly Blue Book is a little over 7K and the trade/private party is from 4500-5500. that is without the receiver and snug top bed cover, they will also have to pay me for.

My last truck was a 2003 F-250 with the 5.4L. Great truck. It had over 125,000 miles when I sold it. The guy down the street still pulls a 28' TT with it. He loves it. The newer 5.4L's are more powerful than that one was and will do you great. The new 6.2L is even better if you're looking to get into the 2011's. I can't speak for the Chevy's. I have had nothing but good luck with my Ford trucks, so I'm kinda biased towards them.

Good luck, and keep us informed!

MtnGuy · 05-19-2011, 07:17 PM

The wheelbase for Expeditions are around 119 inches, unless it is an EL model, and I don't they came out until 2006 or so.

That is a pretty short wheelbase for a 31' trailer. SUVs also tend to have softer suspensions than trucks also.

BigDTx · 05-19-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

The wheelbase for Expeditions are around 119 inches, unless it is an EL model, and I don't they came out until 2006 or so.

That is a pretty short wheelbase for a 31' trailer. SUVs also tend to have softer suspensions than trucks also.

Well i was not consiodering the suspension issue, just my load issue, two adults (I am 6"6', daughter, friend of daughter, and two dogs in kennels. This really makes a cramped ride and the space behind the rear seats would be great for the kennels. Would the suspension be that much more softer than a F150 1/2 ton? The Expedition has a greater towing capacity than my F150 had. ??

MtnGuy · 05-20-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielflading

Well i was not consiodering the suspension issue, just my load issue, two adults (I am 6"6', daughter, friend of daughter, and two dogs in kennels. This really makes a cramped ride and the space behind the rear seats would be great for the kennels. Would the suspension be that much more softer than a F150 1/2 ton? The Expedition has a greater towing capacity than my F150 had. ??

Dan, the Ford site lists an 8900 tow rating for Expy if it came from the factory with the 3.73 final drive, and the heavy duty tow package. They might have put a little heavier suspension on that setup, since it has a higher GCWR.....not sure. You might want to be sure that it has the 3.73 and heavy duty tow package from the factory.

About the Expy having more of a tow rating than your 2003, then manufacturers upped the ante every year. Comparing the 2005 Expy to the a similar short wheel base 2005 F150, the Expy actually beats the F150 at 8400 lb. tow rating. But with the longer wheelbase of 145", then tow rating jumps up to 9800 lbs.......I figure stiffer springs might contribute to that jump.

Because of the extra sheet metal, the Expy probably weighs more than a similar F150. That is going to dip into the GVWR, and could inhibit what you want to carry.

I am not saying that the Expy won't handle your trailer. I just want you to be informed of possible concerns, especially pulling a 31' trailer with a fairly short wheelbased vehicle.

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