I got rear ended

So, I got rear ended. Luckily I had my trailer hitch attached. The truck that hit me, did so with his front passenger tow hook. It hit directly on my hitch. There was no panel damage or anything like that. With that being said, it did bend my whole bumper downwards. I looked at it and found that the brackets that attach the bumper to the frame were bent and you could see the bolt markings on the bracket to where the bracket fastened to the frame. It was like it shifted.
So, I took it to the collision center and all they wanted to do was bend the bumper back up and replace the hitch. I just find that crazy. From what I understand those brackets are rated for a certain load. If it is overloaded by a force, the metal will bend. You have just exceeded the safe working load... right? Shouldn't the brackets and fasteners be replaced for safety reasons?

 

Bump

 

Sorry man, can’t help you but hopefully someone with knowledge will chime in.

 

I'm not a metallurgist but your concern makes sense to a layman like me. Also find it interesting they're willing to replace the receiver hitch but not the bumper brackets. I guess the receiver hitch is expected to experience heavy tow forces while the bumper and its brackets are expected to experience the occasional weight of a human using it as a step. Maybe that's why?

 

Just demand new brackets. I’d climb under there and look real close for ripples/ bends in the frame from the back to in front of the rear wheels. Check for pinched wiring, bent/kinked fuel/brake lines...

 

My concern would be the bracket(s) that hold the hitch here:

https://youtu.be/myn4Nio-dj0?t=9m47s

If they're warped in any way, it might not pull straight, you might get uneven tire wear and uneven stress on components after towing over time, etc.

I'd demand a proper fix as it's not just cosmetic, mention you plan to tow heavy, safety etc.

 

These are my feelings also.
Im in the @RowdyRon fan club. Which also means I’m a @SouthBoundSteve loyal follower.

 

I would ask for a replacement. How it behaves depends on the type of metal it is. Most metal actually gets stronger after it is plastically deformed - it work hardens (up to a point - if you go beyond the ultimate strength it will just fail). However, this comes at the price of losing ductility.

Again, it really depends on what flavor of metal it is. Regardless, I would ask for replacement.

 

if you had the ball in and it pushed the bumper down it probably kinked the frame.have it checked close.

 

Just to give everyone an update. They replaced the brackets with new ones.

 

I know a lot of people think having a hitch in the receiver provides more protection. It does not, just provides a lever to bend your hitch, bumper, and worse your frame.

 

Funny side effect, people don't like being on camera and again today I noticed they'll stay back

https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...3rd-gen-tundra-today.713/page-567#post-625522

 

completely agree. That hitch receiver sitting so low is a powerful lever. I just got rear ended, and the frame got bent... at least 5k in repairs, it seems.

 

^ ouch, hope repair goes well

I've since installed a Putco blade, bright day or night when brake applied. I left my recovery hitch on, people are less likely to bump me when parking.