Trailering accident, how much damage and how to fix?

I mangled my truck this morning and amongst other things dropped the trailer onto the bumper. The tailgate is obvious, but it really appears that the bumper is bent down a little. I looked underneath and don't see any obvious damage. It landed on the black gripped part (where the caps are). Any idea on how to fix this (aside from insurance)?

 

Buy a new bumper and tailgate, you will probably come out in the long run.

You could also call your insurance and level with them, ask them if you make a claim will it raise your rates. Hopefully the damage is only a tailgate and a bumper.

 

I highly doubt that dropping the trailer tongue bent the bumper. It is pretty heavy duty in the center.

 

Dealing with it or paying out of pocket fixing it is the only way to fix it besides insurance.

 

I can't help with how to fix it.
But I wouldn't fix it. That way when/if you bend the tailgate actually using it.
It's not a big deal. These tailgates are not the best. I've yet to inspect a 2016, but I really hope they redesigned
or reinforced it.

 

How did it happen? Jackknifed the trailer?

 

It's hard to see how deep the dents are, but I think a good body guy can bang most of it out and make it smooth. Just not sure if its cheaper to just go with a used tailgate.

 

Just a suggestion. Take off the tailgate and install a aftermarket tire carrier?

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Tire_gate/tiregate_prerunner_series.htm

There are also a lot of tailgates on eBay. Tailgate ranges from 150-600+, shipping cost is about 120-220ish.

 

Doesn't look too bad, the bumper gap looks even on both sides so it doesn't really look like it got bent at all. Sucks about the tailgate though, esp to have that happen on a 2015 model Tacoma... if it happened on my older '04 I'd probably just say 'meh, that sucks' and live with it lol. But on a newer vehicle I can understand the frustration.

Side note, why do people always cover up their license plates in online photos? Your license plate is visible 24/7 to anyone and everyone in real life. Why does it matter if someone on the internet sees it?

 

Well, to give you an idea how much the tailgate will cost, mine was stolen last month and it cost $1,200 to replace it. That included getting a new tailgate, painting it, then installing it.

 

Looks like the tongue jumped off the ball and you hit the brakes?

 

Because derp!!!

 

I know, right? But it sure doesn't look like its "flat" any more. On the sides, the body gap doesn't look off at all. Maybe it's an optical illusion? I will take some more photos today so TW can judge it.

I was distracted and didn't put the pin in. I was loading a car trailer. Whe I loaded the car, it popped off the ball. Lowest speed accident ever. I'm not the first one to do this and won't be the last. #becausemotorsports

 

At least you did it yourself. My grandfather dropped my tailgate onto the trailer jack once and didn't even acknowledge it happened.

 

Here's some better photos from the sides. I definitely think it's slightly "u-ed" in the center. I'm just concerned that the frame is messed up. But from such a low speed incident, I don't see how that could be. My brother said it could be the the whole thing shifted on it's mounts, but I don't know and can't spot anything obvious. The bumper is mounted to the piece that the tow hitch is mounted to, correct?

 

Here's what I did when I bashed my tailgate:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/so-i-monstalined-my-tailgate.405553/

 

Have it airbrushed--At the top-a snow capped mountain with a running stream through the woods to a waterfall.

 

That cat looks downright heated at the situation at hand.

 

I can give you some estimates on costs:

Someone at my daughter's daycare backed into my truck's tailgate. It cost $510.39 for the tailgate skin and I got it painted/cleared for $225.00 locally.

 

Is the bumper actually bent? The gap looks consistent in the side profile pics. My 2015 rear bumper looks a little sloped, but it did ever since I bought it at the dealer