Got a newer Ford? Dont dent it....

Sysop · Nov 17, 2016

No, it wouldn't absolve them in that case. But in a situation where a perfection functioning brush grabbed a perfectly mounted antenna and ripped it loose, especially in a situation where there are instructions to remove such items (which is common), most courts would find it to be "no fault". You can see from the images of that guy's antenna, something had a really good hold on it and it wrapped around the wash brush a couple times before pulling loose. There was a lot of force involved in that.

rustyshakelford · Nov 17, 2016

I had my 100 gallon L shaped slip tank in the back of my 06 Cummins. Their guys inspected the truck and said it was good to go. Pulled thru and the spinning brush caught the hose on the pump and ripped the tank that was bolted to the bed out. Tank was completely full and it tipped it over. Had a couple nice size holes in the bed. There was zero signage about not being responsible for damage. I talked to the manager and they agreed to pay for a Bedliner to be sprayed. I repaired the holes a little and it was sprayed. Turned out fine. Don't go thru them anymore though.

Brett

k0ua · Nov 17, 2016

That is the best advice of all. Don't go thru brush type car washes. They are bad for your finish anyway I think.

roadhunter · Nov 17, 2016

I don't think I could afford to pay for the repairs on a steel or aluminum F-150. Holy crap that seem expensive.

Btown · Nov 18, 2016

roadhunter said:
I don't think I could afford to pay for the repairs on a steel or aluminum F-150. Holy crap that seem expensive.

View attachment 488206

The vast majority of the price difference is the brand new design LED tail light with the distance sensors in it. The same went for the headlights too. The old one was cheap compared to the new LED headlight.

Sysop · Nov 18, 2016

I personally think that is totally bogus myself. It says the aluminum bed needed replaced, but that doesn't jive with the fact that the new beds are made totally modular. The newer repair processes are to replace the outer skins, the floor, the wheelwells, the front bulkhead, whatever is needed as individual components.

Looking at the photo, you can see there are no reverse sensors in the bumper, and the tailgate surround is the plain black plastic. This indicates it is a lower trim level and wouldn't have had the BLIS tail lights with the radar module.

There are actually a few variations of the new tail lights on the aluminum generation of F150. There are basic old incandescent lights, there are the base LEDs, and there are the LEDs that have the blindspot monitoring radar built in. Prices range from $200 to $700 for a pair of light assemblies, even more if you need the actual radar modules as well. The light needed in that image would cost about $120 shipped to your door.

Sysop · Nov 18, 2016

k0ua said:
That is the best advice of all. Don't go thru brush type car washes. They are bad for your finish anyway I think.

Amen to that. I wash all my stuff with low pressure water and microfiber towels most of the time. Occasionally I will go through a high quality touchless spray wash.

oosik · Nov 18, 2016

I have never taken any of my vehicles thru an automated car wash. My vehicles get washed, at home, 2X annually - spring & fall.

IMHO - anybody that can afford the price of a new pickup can surely afford the insurance deductible if they get damage.

94BULLITT · Nov 21, 2016

k0ua said:
That is the best advice of all. Don't go thru brush type car washes. They are bad for your finish anyway I think.

That is the best advice. All they do is swirl your paint. If you want to go through a drive thru car wash go through a touchless.

ClaySlayer · Nov 21, 2016

I have a beer can F150...IF I went through a car wash I'd take the antenna off before entering. Problem solved. And heck I couldn't afford body repairs on my previous 2011 anymore than I can on my 2016 which why I have insurance.