Six months dealing with Hail

Just got my truck back from Toyota today and felt like writing up a bit of a story to bring the last six months of repairs and rental cars (hopefully) to a close.

Back on June 18th of 2018, we had a large hail storm blow through Colorado. Hit us in Louisville particularly hard. My 2017 Tundra (Limited TRD) was sitting in the driveway as the kids and I watched. I've seen large hail before, but hadn't experienced tennis ball sized hail before.



After it was over, we checked out the damage. Every single panel on the truck had dents, paint was chipped off in two places and the bed cover had holes in it, but somehow all the glass and sunroof were intact (house took a beating too, including hail directly through the skylights into the house...).





So, contact insurance and get things set-up. Damage is extensive enough that it's more than just dent repair. At the suggestion of a local dent repair, I end up down off Santa Fe drive at a body shop the beginning of August. It's there for 5 weeks getting dent removal, brand new hood and brand new roof (old cut out and new welded in) with plenty of paint.

Get the truck back and other than needing a good cleaning, all seems good for a few weeks. The reinstalled windshield molding looks a big strange, but can't find any leaks when washing so call it good.

Couple of weeks later in September, get in the truck to drive the kids to school (my day to car pool the neighborhood) and the truck doesn't start. It's been raining. Have to have it towed to the local Toyota dealership. They find that the windshield is leaking, but not into the passenger compartment. It's leaking down the pillar, into the engine bay and has shorted out the electronics (truck no longer recognizes my key and won't start).



Get body shop talking to dealership, with me in between. Body shop stands up and takes responsibility. Needs new windshield and new wiring harness. I end up in a rental car again. Wiring harness is on back-order, but they expect it soon.

Two weeks later, no sign of wiring harness. They decide to put the new windshield on and let me drive the truck as it's working when dry. Lots of water testing of windshield before I'll take it back...

Part doesn't come in for over two months. Took back to the dealership Dec. 23rd. The work is estimated at 30 hours to put the in the harness, but they're hoping to have it done in two days so I have for the weekend. Instead, takes a week and a half and I finally got to pick it up today (1/4/2019). They said it was much more difficult than they expected and they went over the estimated time.

So, after close to 6 months of time and 8 weeks of driving rental/loaner vehicles, I finally have my finished truck back. So far all seems good and I'm hoping it's all behind me. Looking forward to getting out and having fun...

 

Glad you finally got your truck back!

 

That sounds terrible, glad you got your truck back and all is good!

 

Thanks guys. It was really nice getting back into the truck and driving out of Toyota. They were good to work with and I don't have any complaints, but sure was nice being done with it.

 

Wow,sorry to hear. Glad you have your truck back!

 

Glad you got it sorted out. Must have been terrible watching that storm destroy your truck like that. Hopefully no hail in 2019.

 

I heard that storm and seems some pictures. Dam bad luck man. Hopefully everything is straightened out now.

 

I wonder how much the bill was to the auto body shop from toyota?

 

Wish you luck! I had a bad experience with water leaking through a sunroof causing electrical issues. Truck was never the same.

 

damn..

 

That sucks big time. Glad it's all sorted out now.

 

Dealership said it's 30 hours of billable labor. Plus parts. Not going to be cheap.

 

Has me worried too. I was glad the re-work was all done by Toyota so it's in the records and they cover it. Still, always worried once this much work has been done. Trying not to think about it too much and just enjoy having it back.

 

Glad you got it back with hopefully no issues. Mines been gone since 11/26/18. I can't imagine going 6 months!

 

Good to see you got your truck back. Still waiting for mine.