When the exploding tire took out the right rear quarter panel, I knew that repairing it would be difficult as the truck is 17 years old and parts are difficult to obtain. The GMC dealer in August told me that just one part was available in the US – in Nebraska.
Well, that part is no longer available. Attempts to locate even used parts have been unsuccessful, as have attempts to locate an entire replacement bed. The Geico-approved repair shop told me yesterday that they were unable to repair the damage and I should talk to Geico to see if they would total the truck.
I am not quite prepared to do that yet, but that option is looming large. I don’t know what I would be offered if the truck was totaled – probably around $10K. Even a used truck will cost me over $30K so I am looking at spending around $20K that I really don’t want to spend. But other options – like coming off the road – don’t appeal to me very much.
I think once Christmas is past then solving this particular problem will be #1 on my To Do list.
Meanwhile, the truck’s A/C has failed and it seems to have sprung a slow leak in the power steering. I don’t think either problem will be difficult or expensive to repair but I canceled the scheduled repair work because why put money into a truck that may have to be totaled? But those problems increase the urgency of solving the overall Truck Problem.