Safety Concerns Regarding Pickups
Motormouth
Member Posts: 99
My main concern regarding pickups stems from those pickups who have
"low back" seats (no headrests) and a standard cab.
I once had an import pickup that was like that. I remember driving
past what appeared to be a minor read-end collision involving a truck
very similar to mine. The rear end of the truck, which had been hit by
a passenger car had minor damage, indicating a relatively low-speed
impact.
I later read that the driver of the pickup had been killed because the
impact caused his head to be thrust through the rear window which was
directly behind his head. I assume that, in addition to serious
lacerations, he may also had broken his neck.
I got rid of that pickup fast after that!
Today, many pickups have high-back seats to help prevent that.
However, many have extended cabs where the rear passenger is still at
risk.
Have any of you had a similar experience or know of any?
What other safety concerns do you find with pickups?
"low back" seats (no headrests) and a standard cab.
I once had an import pickup that was like that. I remember driving
past what appeared to be a minor read-end collision involving a truck
very similar to mine. The rear end of the truck, which had been hit by
a passenger car had minor damage, indicating a relatively low-speed
impact.
I later read that the driver of the pickup had been killed because the
impact caused his head to be thrust through the rear window which was
directly behind his head. I assume that, in addition to serious
lacerations, he may also had broken his neck.
I got rid of that pickup fast after that!
Today, many pickups have high-back seats to help prevent that.
However, many have extended cabs where the rear passenger is still at
risk.
Have any of you had a similar experience or know of any?
What other safety concerns do you find with pickups?
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
My biggest concern is with towing. I have a fith
wheel gooseneck horse trailer. It has a emergency
brake that attaches to the bed of the truck should
it become un-hitched (god forbid) What most concerns me is that trailer coming loose and rolling through the cab of the truck.
and SAFETY that I thought I was getting.
After I made the purchase, I found out about the
horrible crash test results on this pickup.
Not to mention the feeling of betrayal, I am concerned
about what might happen to me when an accident
does happen.
I already made some investment on it (installed bedliner, Leer Cap, and extended warranty.)
an will lose a lot of money if I sell or trade it.
i own a 1996 gmc c1500 truck-350 vortex-ext cab-sierra style.
i just got back from having my fifth(5( set of seat rails replaced. after a few months the seats get loose-make noise-
i have talked to the dealer and gmc about this condition and they said that they need the extra clearance for the electric seat to adjust properly.
can you imagine the disaster during a collision with a loose seat(s). the new 1999 model will have all new seat designs-great idea- after many years of complaints.i have filed complaints to nhtsa-lemon law organization-letters to gmc.
the service rep suggested that i should trade-up my truck in 1999.what a solution.
do you know anyone with the same problem(s)??
PLEASE E-MAIL ME
have a great holiday!!!
Don't feel alone. My '96 Sierra extended cab is on it's second set of seat rails, and these are already starting to come loose. The first set lasted 12k, this set less than 10k. I know of others with this same problem in Suburbans. Had I known, I would have opted for a mechanical seat.
Jim
Yesterday, while reading Motor Trend's Truck Trend, I saw that the new 1999 GMC/Chevy full size extended cab rear seats are going to have headrests for their passengers! In addition to this, the seatbacks are going to be several inches taller than the current versions. This addresses my concerns about whiplash injury for rear seat passengers and is an important safety improvement.
My '96 Sierra has adjustable height headrests for the back seat. They are not very comfortable, but they are there. I have to say that when GM went to the new seat style in '95 they took a step backward in my book. I only weigh 165 and the seats are so hard I barely deflect them when I am riding. I guess firm support is good, but it does mean for a rough ride on bumpy roads.
Jim
The primary thing to keep in mind is that truck manufacturers, for YEARS, have laughed with glee that the safety standards for cars were NOT applicable to trucks. Therefore, they didn't have to worry about things like 5 mph impact bumpers, head restraints, etc.
This is why, historically, in low mph crashes, especially from behind, SUVs and pickup trucks have almost always suffered more damage than a passenger car.
What was misleading sometimes was the dollar amount of damage since there just isn't much in the back end of a pickup compared to a car. But take a look at repair bills for SUVS and you'll see what I mean.
Since the industry wasn't REQUIRED to take the same steps towards ensuring the safety of the passengers in trucks, they never bothered to address this "head through the rear window" problem... no one was forcing them to.
Then, a few years back, after two family members were killed when the pickup they were riding in was hit from behind by a car traveling no more than 30 mph. The family sued and won a significant amount.
Suddenly, the industry developed a conscience. Or rather, became aware of the financial liability (to them it's one in the same).
Now, you have a number of truck manufacturers providing better protection for the head vis a vis the built-in head rests.
See? The industry has a heart. It only takes a large lost lawsuit to grab their attention. Of course, it often means that a number of people have to die first, but what else is new?
To Richflynn:
Specifically what "studies" do you refer to? I fail to see how the idea of nothing behind your head but a breakable glass object can be viewed as a "safety device." If the window doesn't shatter, your head does. But in all likelyhood, the glass will shatter. If you're lucky, it will be the kind of safety glass that shatters into harmless shards. Of course that still means you'll wind up with a concussion, but that probably won't be noticed since your neck will most likely snap backwards (in a rear end collision) so fast and so far that your spinal column will probably sever, preventing you from feeling even the deepest gashes. Thanks just the same... I prefer a head restraint.
If anyone out there owns a 1992 F-150 4x4 XLT Supercab short bed in the 2 tone brown, 5.8L, loaded with goodies, that was probably purchased in the east or central states, please look behind your glove box for a registration sticker. If you find one then post it here or e-mail me and I will get back to you with the details of this truck if the vin# is correct. I know it went back east somewhere from the dealer and would be very interested in "Disclosure Details" of sale. I still have original papers, so will only give info for a correct vin#.
There was an interesting statement rear end damage being excessive on pcikups and SUVs. (I can not speak for SUVs.) Recently I was hit in a three vehicle deal. The rear most vehicle hat the center vehicle which hit me. The center vehicle (a stick shift) and I were stopped. I would guess that the culprit was going between 15 and 20 Mph at impact. The center vehicle was towed away. The rear vehicle should have been; but it was a rental and the driver took it to the return lot. The only "real" damage on my truck was the trailer electrical connector was bent beyond starightening and the bumber was slightly tweaked. My insurance company replaced both connector and bumper and the rental car company paid about $450. From 5 feet I couldn't see enough damage to the bumper to warrant replacing but I wasn't going to argue. The guy in the center car was, like me, stopped and waiting for the light. Both of us had only light pressure on the brake. My back was sore for a while and I got a good jolt. The high back seat saved me from whip lash. The guy in the center car was ok but obviously banged up. I'm sure that the next day he didn't want to get out of bed!
So there is one for the high seat back and very little damage to my F-250.
Rich
I have no headrest on my 1990 GMC C1500 Pickup.
Does anyone know where I can buy this item?
i have been raising all kinds of hell with gmc.
if you need a good lawyer for help-check out this great web page-www.mindspring.com/~wf1
i called yesterday to check it out-and the guy was great-gave me ideas to get results.lemon laws can cause car companies plenty of grief.
ps-ill be going back for #6 seat rails this month.
Overall I was very pleased with the design and specifications..even went for a test drive and found it much more refined than any of it's competition.
But imagine my disappointment when I saw those crash test scores! I love the truck, but I don't want to die in it. I'm not planning on having passengers in the Xtracab, just gear. The head reast issue isn't too big a deal for me.
I see that for 1998 the Tacoma has dual airbags, but has Toyota done anything else in '98 to improve 1997's abysmal crash test scores? More body reinforcement perhaps?
In anybody's opinion is this truck less safe than the little '87 Chevy Nova that I drive now? I could probably drive it with some confidence knowing at least that it's as safe as my Nova was.
The Taco' at least has ABS and dual airbags. The Nova has neither.
(Interesting side note, the Tacoma and my Nova were both built at the same plant. The NUMMI plant in Freemont, CA)
-Kelley in Richmond
If you're going to spend that much money, why not consider a one or two year old (lease return) pick up with better protection? Or even new since the price of the Dakota is in the same ballpark. And it has much better test scores, I believe.
It is an S-10 in disguise!
I think it has a longer warranty: 3yrs-50,000 m.
Other than that, it is pretty much a chevy S-10.
Amazing! I have a 92 F250HD XLT Lariat 4x4 with 82,000 and have had none of those problems. The first 17,000 miles, I lived in Alaska and regularly ran it on the highway in 4wd in the winter. The 5.8L V-8 still runs smooth and quiet. I guess every manufacturer makes a couple of lemons. What a drag that you should be the recipient of one.
- easy ability to almost redline! maybe i'm still used to my old datsun racecar, but i thought this would be different...i am new to the truck scene.
- turning radius IS good...i can still do u-turns on these narrow city streets.
my 96 gmc 1500-sierra extended cab still has loose bucket seat rails. i have gotten many responses about the loose seat rails from gmc-chev owners. it occurs in other models including bench seats.if you know of anyone with this dangerous condition please contact me at ACarson979@aol,com. i have been in contact with NHTSA and have a number for the person to contact.
don't forget-if you have a safety problem---contact NHTSA.
thanks for listening----
of trucks in general. I have a 1991 S10 2wd pickup. I was hit in the passenger door by a 1975 GMC full size pickup. My wife was sitting shotgun when we got hit. I'm not sure how fast he was going but my guess is around 20mph. My wife and I
got out of the truck, to look at the damage. We were a little sore, but otherwise just fine.
I believe that if we would have been in a Geo Metro or some other tin box like that we would have gotten seriously hurt. There is no substitute for a vehicle with a frame. For that reason, there will always be a truck in my garage. Saving $10 a week on gas isn't worth your life. Think about it.
Follow this link to information about the safety (or lack thereof) regarding compact pickups.
This data was featured on a recent Dateline and was rather sobering to watch.
Here's a link to the data:
Compact Pick-up Truck Safety
Don't forget to come back here to comment about it.