Trailer Warrenty, What would you do?

[SBLC]

Trailer Warranty, What would you do?

I bought a 4 place snowmobile trailer a year and a half ago(2 or 3 year warranty) and is now needing warranty work. The warranty work that is needed is for some minor repairs and one major repair(trailer is falling apart). The major repair, is the torsion on the axle no longer holds the wheel off the frame (rubbing through the girder) and the axle needs to be replaced. The trailer manufacturer doesn't claim this as their problem and sent me to the axle manufacturer. The axle manufacturer finally got to my claim (took 2 weeks) and called me about some GVWR weights and how much I put in the trailer. From the start of the conversation the axle manufacturing employee(AME) wanted me to guess how much weight I put in the trailer. The heaviest thing that this trailer has hauled is 4 snowmobiles weighing roughly 2000 pounds, each axle is rated for 3,500 pounds. I got the sense that the AME wanted to pin me down and say that I had overloaded the trailer. Jump ahead to this week, AME want me to pay for the axle, labor, freight, to get my axle repaired. At this point the warranty is not denied, they just wont pay for it until they examine the axle at their shop(was told its standard procedure). They want me to ship them back the broke axle(on my dime) so they can determine if the axle is warrantable(no overloading, towing the trailer funny, etc). What would you do? I'm concerned about how the AME wanted to pin me down on overloading the trailer. How would I go about proving that this had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the reliability of the axle. I don't want to pay for the shipping of the broke axle, knowing that more than likely they will use this "overloading" as an escape goat. I thought about before shipping the axle back getting an independent company in town to inspect the axle. What would you do? Advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[messejme]

If this is the elastomer (rubber in the axle tube) torsion axle and the rubber failed it will be hard for you to prove anything.It will be hard for them to prove anything but they dont really have to. It would not be a bad idea to get a 3rd party inspection but you have to let AME that you are going to do it and that they will be expected to pay for it and all other costs :shipping, replacement trailer rental, tires ,etc.) if proven defective.

 

[Josh2002cc]

Kinda like GM buddy, he who has more money can fight longer and harder. Not saying that is right, but it is just the way it goes.

How much is the axle assy from your local trailer supplier? I couldn't imagine it being very much, and when I say that I take the cost of the new axle and the cost of shipping back the broken axle into effect. Might just be better to bite the bullet on this one, I wouldn't be happy about it either but you know what happens when we make decisions based off our feelings/emotions. Of course, it is not my dollar so take this with a grain of salt. Good luck

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

seak legal council

 

[Josh2002cc]

seak legal council

Over a $400 axle? Seriously?

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

Over a $400 axle? Seriously?

I will spent thousands get get hundreds off of someone that screwed me. Just a matter of principle. Not that I want the money...just don't want someone who doesn't deserve it to have it.

Call the BBB and file a complaint

 

[JoshH]

No matter what, I wouldn't deal with the trailer manufacturer again. They're the ones that should bite the bullet on this one, IMO.

 

[Josh2002cc]

No matter what, I wouldn't deal with the trailer manufacturer again. They're the ones that should bite the bullet on this one, IMO.

:exactly:

 

[MMLMM]

The trailer manuf. should be helping you. Inspecting it and telling the axle manuf. that it need to be warranty or not.....

Do you have any documents that talk about the warranty?

 

[LBZ]

What kind of trailer retailer doesn't offer warranty on a completed trailer they sold? You bought a trailer hooked on to it and drove away correct? You didn't buy a trailer kit and put it together.

If it was me, I would be all over them to honor the warranty on your behalf.

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

What kind of trailer retailer doesn't offer warranty on a completed trailer they sold? You bought a trailer hooked on to it and drove away correct? You didn't buy a trailer kit and put it together.

If it was me, I would be all over them to honor the warranty on your behalf.

X2

 

[Darius6t9]

Lets put it in simpler terms. GM doesn't make the Duramax(as far as I know it's isuzu that makes it.) But if it goes bad, GM has to warranty it. They don't send you to Isuzu to get it fixed. Same thing here. The manufacturer made the trailer and put it together. They warranty it and therefore they are responsible for the axle replacement. They may have to take it up with the axle makers. But the trailer manuf. should be steeping up on this one.

 

[03Tommy]

SBLC, where are you located and where does the axle need to go? I could possibly help you out with shipping. Could more than likely do it for free, let me know.

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

Lets put it in simpler terms. GM doesn't make the Duramax(as far as I know it's isuzu that makes it.) But if it goes bad, GM has to warranty it. They don't send you to Isuzu to get it fixed. Same thing here. The manufacturer made the trailer and put it together. They warranty it and therefore they are responsible for the axle replacement. They may have to take it up with the axle makers. But the trailer manuf. should be steeping up on this one.

IIRC GM makes the Duramax and own the rights to the design. Isuzu designed it.

 

[SBLC]

If this is the elastomer (rubber in the axle tube) torsion axle and the rubber failed it will be hard for you to prove anything.It will be hard for them to prove anything but they don't really have to. QUOTE]

That's my main concern the axle does have the rubber in the tube. I found out through some research that when the axles are welded/mounted, the rubber cartridge is compromised and premature failure is inevitable. The cost for an axle is at manufacturer cost for me, but after labor,shipping(to get the new axle to me) it starts to add up($760 and some change).

MMLMM: The warranty on this trailer (went back and read it again) is a piece of work. In the warranty from the manufacturer basically covers workmanship in the work they performed(welds). So the axles, wiring, lights, tires, and jack are between the customer and the manufacturer of the defective part. This is like GM telling me that I have to go after Bosch cause my PCM no longer works.

I'm in the Ogden area. I hate to talk bad about companies because its hard to build a company, but how much crap is the consumer suppose to put up with. The dealer (will remain unnamed at this point) only cares about where they are getting their money from, manufacturer, customer it doesn't matter (one guy at the dealer has been helpful). The trailer manufacturer will never have my business again, and hope that none of you guys have to deal with this manufacturer.
Thanks for the advice and help, keep it coming :hug:

 

[03Tommy]

If it turns out you need to ship it anywhere, just let me know, I would be more than Happy to help. I work for Forward Air and would be able to do it for free I am sure.

 

[TrailerproPop]

It's possible the trailer manufacturer didn't allow enough "bump clearance" when they designed the trailer. If so the axle manufacturer will not pay warranty. This would be after you have incurred the cost and inconvience of shipping. A simple solution might be putting a spacer between the axle and frame. It may be bolted or welded, either way it is not a major job. Bottom line, "Don't sweat the small stuff".