Dually fender extensions

[Gunner41]

Ok so my Dually has been hit by another drunk. Crunched bed extension fender. I thought replacing that would be fairly easy. I was so wrong. Classic industries is out and no word on if or when they will get one back. Rockauto was the next one. LMC does NOT service 3500's anymore and dont have any for the 2500's either. I found some online but I think they will have a better chance of selling crack. Used one on Ebay $750+450. for shipping. Its CRACKED. The reports of the aftermarket ones has me surprised. Complaints of incorrect mounting slots and length difference. I thought they were all the same but i guess not. Short bed vs Long bed. I think I might have to repair the fiberglass but. Any suggestions from you hard cores? I tried to upload pics.

[Gunner41]

Finally got them loaded

[RustyPile]

First question.. Did the drunk not have insurance??

It's not uncommon to use two damaged body panels, carve off the bad areas and splice the two good parts together, making one good one. I don't know if California has regulations concerning fiberglass repair, but here in Texas a body shop specializing in Corvette body repairs can stitch that fender back together for you..

[Gunner41]

Yes they have the same insurance as I. USAA. I'm now fighting them on totaling my truck. Broken U-bolts, fender, new rim and tire shouldn't total it out. I have so many vultures out trying to get my baby. Im in the process of having the body shop repair the bed I will rebuild both of my leaf springs and replace all u-bolts. Now Im thinking that I will also rebuild my fender. Its just fiberglass right?

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by Gunner41

Yes they have the same insurance as I. USAA. I'm now fighting them on totaling my truck. Broken U-bolts, fender, new rim and tire shouldn't total it out. I have so many vultures out trying to get my baby. Im in the process of having the body shop repair the bed I will rebuild both of my leaf springs and replace all u-bolts. Now Im thinking that I will also rebuild my fender. Its just fiberglass right?

Again, I'm in Texas and our insurance regulations may be different from those in California.. Here, if repairs are authorized by the owner before the claim is settled, most insurance companies will absolve themselves of the claim.. I seriously suggest you settle the claim before starting repairs. Obtain the services of a lawyer, present the repair estimate to the drunk's insurance company and tell them that's the amount you expect to receive.. Insurance companies don't like for claims to sit around on someone's desk unsettled.. Sit tight, don't be in a rush, and you'll get paid.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Again, I'm in Texas and our insurance regulations may be different from those in California.. Here, if repairs are authorized by the owner before the claim is settled, most insurance companies will absolve themselves of the claim.. I seriously suggest you settle the claim before starting repairs. Obtain the services of a lawyer, present the repair estimate to the drunk's insurance company and tell them that's the amount you expect to receive.. Insurance companies don't like for claims to sit around on someone's desk unsettled.. Sit tight, don't be in a rush, and you'll get paid.

I'm in Texas as well. My experience from more than one situation is similar to what 'Gunner41' is facing. Lawyers are only going to help when medical expenses are involved as they get paid based on what the final 'damages' bill is (personal + mechanical).When medical is involved, there's lots of wiggle room for them to capitalize on.

Outside of that, repairs only won't cover attorney's fees & insurance companies don't offer legal services as part of what you pay them on your premium. Cheaper to fix the vehicle damage yourself vs the retainer fee of legal counsel.

I never ''got paid'' for this one (driver turned in front of me/I had the right of way)......

[Gunner41]

The part that hurts the most is that the insurance companies just go ahead and total anything that they want while another criminal gets away with it. They totaled my truck and didnt even bother with really looking at the damage. They sent some little girl with nice handwriting. The body shops out here in the San Francisco bay area are just parts swappers. Now toss in a Dually with Air ride leaf helpers and mass confusion. Its like nobody out here but me has ever rebuilt a leaf pack? They ordered the wrong fender. They were going to order the wrong rim. They were going to order the wrong U-bolts. Sorry guys Im just venting. Oh they have no idea how to repair the Leaf spring airbag helper. Never knew USAA was scared of Duallys. Ugh.

[Getter-Done]

A flip and a Video.

If you do the repair SMC is what I would use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovBTlBe-tK8

[Gunner41]

Getter-done. From what I read mixing FG with SMC is not a good idea. I dont know but my fender is fiberglass. Its not a step side so Im guessing that they used different material I believe. I could be wrong tho.