Thursday night after work, around midnight, I was traveling home down US 441 near Gainesville Florida, and out of my left peripheral vision I saw a flash running across the road. I instantly hit the brakes but could not avoid hitting about a 50-60 pound doe with my 2008 Hemi Quad Cab 4x2 (I was probably doing close to 60mph when contact was made and there was no other traffic either way). When I came to a stop, about five feet from a drainage ditch, I immediately called law enforcement, and then stepped out of the truck to inspect the damage, expecting the worst. I have to say the I was very impressed. At first look, I could not find any evidence of damage, and neither did the police officer when he arrived. He was impressed as well, and then went on to tell me how he recently purchased a charger for his own personal vehicle which he enjoyed greatly. The next morning however, in the daylight, I could see that the bumper was buckled in a couple of inches as it wraps around the drivers side, under the front quarter panel. If you look closely from the front the driver's side of the bumper is also a little lower than the passenger's side. Last night I also realized that the driver's side fog lamp is not working, though is intact as far as I can tell. Even with these flaws, I have to say that I would have expected much more damage to the body.

Recently, I began to regret purchasing this vehicle, with the decrease in value and gas prices (which have dropped a lot lately), but after this incident, I am very glad that I was driving this truck rather than my old Honda. There is a good chance that she would have hit the windshield in my old Accord.

I do have a couple of questions however, and please understand that I am quite ignorant when it comes to the mechanical workings of all vehicles.

#1) When I first hit the brakes, they locked up. I was unable to control the front end, until I let off and pumped the pedal. I thought these trucks were supposed to have anti-locks. Is there something I do not know about applying anti-locks hard, or is it possible that they failed?

#2) With the fog lamp intact, could the problem just be a loose wire or something else fairly simple that a novice like myself could check/repair?

I appreciate any info, and I apologize if this post is a little long. I have to say that after this incident I love my Hemi more than ever.

 

Good to hear that you are ok. Truck didn't do bad either. With my '06 I bought the optional front anti-lock brakes. The rear had anti-lock standard. I don't know if this is the same for '08 though.

 

Like red06ram said, front ABS is optional...for the fog light i'd get under the truck and look at the wiring harness.

 

You probably have rear anti lock only. That's the only explanation I have for the fronts locking up.

As for the foglight, are you going to make a claim on your insurance policy? If so, the shop will take care of everything when they repair your vehicle.

 

I would check prices and have someone meticulously check it out, and I filled my truck up today and it was 55 bucks from dead empty... missouri has its flaws but gas was 2.25 today for 87... cant complain one bit...

 

What is the point of having ABS on the rear if the front is going to lock up? If I can not control the front end, I do not care much about the power from the rear. I will check the harness for the fog lamp. Thanks for the replies.

"Jeepis"...actually, I am probably not going to make a claim. My deductible is $500.00. With the recent decline in the economy plus the fact that the "official" police report shows no damage, I figured that I would take care of any repairs on my own in the future. This is probably not the best choice, but I can not really afford to pay for the deductible at this point in time...

 

glad to hear you're ok...did you throw the doe in the back??

trucks usually just lock up on the rear since they are so light back there. when you slam on the brakes i'd guess over 75% of the weight goes to the front, so it brakes much better. you must have really pounded that pedal to lock it up that bad.

 

Only the Larame comes standard with 4 wheel abs (all do in 09) and it is optional on all others. It comes with the stability control option.
I almost hit an idiot who turned across in front of me when I was towing about 7K because the front slid. Luckily, I have 4 wheel trailer brakes or the lady would have been a speed bump!!!

 

GLAD DODGE COULD SHOW THE DOE WHATS UP.
I HAVE AN 06' 1500 MEGA CAB. IT GOT ALL AROUND ANTI LOCK.
QUOTE, "When it comes time to get on the brakes, massive 13.9-inch antilock discs at all four corners produce sure stops with minimal fuss."
ONLY HAD TO USE THEM ONCE, AND IT WASN'T FOR A DEER, A CHILD. THANK THE LORD THEY WORKED..

 

sounds like you blew the foglight bulb.cheap fix.