"Interesting?" day yesterday? NO! (AKA need truck rental advice)

[Dale Finch]

Yesterday was not a very good day, at least in one aspect. A lady made a RIGHT turn from the LEFT turn lane, right into me, as I was travelling in the right lane of a 4-lane highway. She really went out of her way to hit my car, from the front kleft quarter panel all the way to the driver's taillight! At first it looked mostly cosmetic, as I had tried to turn away from her, but ran out of road and she raked my left side. But once I got back on the road heading home, I thought I had left the window down a little bit, since it was whistling. it was all the way up, and I realized the door was "bowed out", about 1/4-1/2" at the top.

So, police report made, insurance companies informed, and now I wait for instructions on how to proceed. There is no question as to who was at fault, so I am hoping things move along quickly. That being said, I have also been told that along with everything else in the world, things for the auto body business are backed up, due to Covid as well as product shortages. Thus, it may be quite a while before I see my Expedition repaired.

My question for y'all is has anyone rented a truck to haul a trailer, and do you have recommendations? The trailer alone is about 2000#, and I will be carrying one cub, one Leinbach 3-point rake, and one fast hitch toolbar with standards attached (don't remember right off how many), plus some miscellaneous things to sell. So I would say at least 5000# load towing capacity.

I did a quick Google search, and Enterprise offers a 3/4-ton pickup for about $480/week, with free 750 miles, plus $0.29/mile after that (+$100).
Thanks for any info/advice!

[Bob McCarty]

Dale, You need to make sure that the rental allows a trailer to be pulled and is set up with a receiver and/or hitch. I've seen some that forbid trailers and thus weren't equipped to pull one.

[Jim Becker]

Bummer. I can't tell you much related to truck rental, but will throw in the tidbit that some companies don't allow towing. Period. Be sure about what the rental contract says. The last I knew, U-Haul only allows towing with some of their largest box trucks. (They may even limit you to only towing their trailers. I don't know that but wouldn't be surprised.)

. . . There is no question as to who was at fault, so I am hoping things move along quickly. . . .

But back to this comment. There is no question of who is at fault until you get to the insurance companies. I thought the same thing you said and didn't find out otherwise until I got to the insurance company and found the other party had already filed a claim against us. We went through a bunch of nonsense and got some insurance arbitrator to finally conclude we were not at fault. THEN I filed my claim against the other paarty. Their insurance company refused to pay. They said the arbitrator only said we weren't at fault, not that they were. So they refused. They finally gave in after I told them we were going back to arbitration on my claim. I also offered to ask for the same arbitrator. They finally paid.

Bottom line, make sure you have every scrap of evidence you can gather. Any chance there are some skid marks you can photograph?

[Bob McCarty]

In addition to Jim's second paragraph, make sure a police report was filed and you have a copy when available.

[Dale Finch]

Thanks, Bob & Jim. I had done some quick searches regarding towing, etc, and you are correct about most not allowing it, or (as with U-Haul) only allowing you to tow THEIR trailers. In fact, Enterprise was the only one I had found, so far. Thus, my reason for posting, in case other folks have been down this road before.

Jim, I agree with you on "slippery" insurance companies. I have photos of BOTH vehicles, and am keeping copious records of communications. I am not expecting totally smooth sailing, especially I am going to (TRY to) insist on all OEM parts. I know...good luck with that!

Anyway, fingers crossed!

P.S. Printed off the police report this morning...thanks!

[Eugene]

Suggest waiting a bit for your insurance company's adjuster to evaluate the vehicle. Then your insurance company's report - payment.

Your company will probably pay before the other company.

If you think this is going to court - include the cost of hiring someone to move whatever you had planned to move, for your deductible, and any other unreimbursed expenses?

Reason I'm suggesting waiting a few days, what appears to be cosmetic damage may be sufficient enough to total the vehicle.

[Dale Finch]

I do agree that the damage is more extensive than first appearance. I know the door is bowed outwards, and I have the retractable step (on each side) that seems to function correctly, but with closer examination, it could have damage, too, since the adjacent area is dented significantly. Every panel is affected on the driver's side, as well as the rear aluminum wheel rim...and maybe tire(s), since the car was pushed sideways.

My insurance company has already filed a claim against hers...so it's waiting time. Sigh...

[Eugene]

Subrogation is a term describing a right held by most insurance carriers to legally pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to the insured. (Had to look that one up.)

My property, real estate, has been the victim of several accidents. My insurance company has always paid me directly then went after the individual who caused the damage.

And suspension damage as well as perhaps the frame.

Good thing you own an Expedition and not a smaller vehicle. Glad you are OK.

[SamsFarm]

Sorry for your misfortune!

Praise the Lord your ok!

[Stanton]

Sorry you got side swiped, Dale. Glad you’re ok. I was going to suggest not signing any offers from their insurance, but since your insurance is doing the fighting, that’s a good thing.

On a side note, I’ve watched too many YouTube videos of Idiots in Cars to feel totally safe on the road.

Hope this thing gets sorted out to your satisfaction.

[outdoors4evr]

Might want to try a Home Depot or Menards truck rental.
Other Options... Can you just rent a big box truck and put it all inside the box?
I think I've seen a cub inside a sprinter van.

[MiCarl]

My neighbor has a 3 axle box trailer, not sure length or rating but it will fit at least one NASCAR vehicle and all the sundries for a weekend at the track. He doesn't have a tow vehicle and usually "borrows" one of the pool vehicles from his employer. Recently none of the pool vehicles were available so he rented an F250 from Enterprise. He went from Michigan to one of the Carolinas and back so he chose a higher daily rate that gave him more miles.

He wasn't real happy with the handling but I think he's in the habit of using heavier trucks.

One interesting thing is the truck had a 3" receiver so he needed to use an adapter sleeve for his 2" hitch. He has his own sleeve so I'm not clear on whether Enterprise has them.

[Jim Reid]

Go with enterprise i have rented their trucks most are dodge diesels and never had a problem.

Jim

[Dale Finch]

Thanks, Jim and others.
I haven't heard back from the insurance companies yet, and will do nothing until I do...except I will probably call Enterprise to get a quote and see what the availability would be...and how much advance notice they need to ensure they have a suitable truck.

I already had a service appointment scheduled at the dealer, in preparation for the trip to the Bash, and I'm hoping I can get them to look closely at "unseen areas" to make sure there are no structural/safety issues...since both wheels were impacted, who knows what might be waiting to fail?!
Things WILL work out!

[Don McCombs]

Is it "driveable" to the dealership? We need photos!