Trailer/Camper Liability

[lrrowe]

Today I was told by one trailer manufacturer that they will not sell their cargo trailers for use to convert to sleeping campers. They said this policy is for "liability" reasons. I was basically told that in what I thought was in an unprofessional manner by one of their factory staffers and after that remark and general attitude, I just walked away from any further conversations. Scratch them from my "possibles" list.

Now I believe I am correct in saying that if I purchased their trailer, I could do with it as I want. But I am very upset with them, to the point that I do not even want to wage that battle with them. It is just not worth it.

The reason for my posting this is that I am interested to see if any other forum members have run across it?

Bob

[Gonefishin]

I've been denied insurance from insurance companies, but not denied sales by manufacturers. Name names! Who was the manufacturer? That's something we should all be aware of.

[lrrowe]

It was NEO Trailers out of Sturgis, MI.
http://neotrailers.com
I found them while searching the web the other week. They have a great looking aluminum trailer. I was really interested in it up until hours ago.
It must be nice to be able to pick and chose your customers.
Bob

[Shadow Catcher]

It would be interesting to climb the corporate food chain to find what the justification for this is, and in reality why care. Once it is yours you can do with it as you please.
The only warning I see in their manual concerning modifications regards the risk of fasteners, screws, nails piercing wiring or gas line. Legally I don't think they have a leg to stand on.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Really Guys

I really don't see the problem. They are telling you that if you modify their product they don't wanna give you a warranty PERIOD - its just plain good common sense

Since I've added $20k in electric junk to my trailer - I would not expect CarMate to give me any warranty service.
Not even on the axel.
If they were dumb enough to fix my broken running or stop light - id be screaming they messed up my $20k solar system.

Think about it for a second - if you made a product and it was modified would you touch it ? It could be built by a genius or maybe a bozo and blow up when you look at it ? How could you tell the difference between the two. Best policy - be upfront & tell customer if you touch it - you own it, don't bring it back - its your risk.

That's my 5 cents worth

[Augie]

Plausible deniability, if they know you are planning on using it as a camper their insurance wont cover them. So as long as you don't tell them they are in the clear, The fact that you specifically mentioned it to an employee is enough reason for them to be concerned. IF you sent them an email even more reason. So dont be mad at them, they are looking out for their business as a long term thing.

Cliff notes: you told them your plans and their insurance wont cover that application, you could sue them if anything happens, they would be liable because they knew what you planned with it. Not their bad, yours.

Unfortunately this is a result of people suing McDonald's for hot coffee, and winning.

Call them to order one dont tell them what you are doing with it. but the onus in on you. no resources once you modify it.

[aggie79]

Sounds like a complete crock to me. Ask them if they sell any cargo trailers for use to transport lawn equipment or cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.? If they say yes, then ask them how transporting vehicles and equipment with combustible fuels is less of a liability than using a cargo trailer as a camper shell.

[Woodbutcher]

I have a Jeep Wrangler that I have modified for off road driving. I added a suspension lift, re gearing with lockers, winch, larger tires and much more. I did this after only owning it for 6 months. The things I added would nullify the factory warranty unless it could be proven that my upgrade had nothing to do with the warranty claim. For instance if I had an engine or transmission claim, Chrysler would have to prove that my large tires contributed to the head gasket blowing, or what ever the defect was. But since I modified the axles the internals would not be covered and I understood that when I made the changes. I would suggest that when we buy any products and modify them we take some risk that we may violate certain aspects of the factory warranty. But if I buy a cargo trailer, add beds and cabinets and keep the weight below what the trailer is rated for, I can't be denied warranty service if I have an axle claim. On the other hand, If I cut in windows or add an air conditioner and leaks cause my floor or walls to rot, that is on me.

Many in the Jeep community have used the Magnusen-Moss Act to get dealers to cover repairs they deemed were not worthy because of modifications made by the owner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson%E ... rranty_Act

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Aggie 79

I think your missing the point, I have $20,000 worth of wires & stuff inside my trailer - none of that crap can be easily removed - would you like me to come to your house to fix my broken brake or running lights

THE ANSWER IS HELL NO - you wouldn't touch my trailer with a 100 pole, because if another wire was bad - the whole thing would go up in smoke & it would be your fault.

If you buy a X box & modify the crap out of it , when it breaks - you'll be told I'm sorry it's not covered.
Sometimes in life you got to be a big boy - if you modify the toy & it breaks , you gotta fix it


Woodbutcher

The point on the axel is a good one , but maybe they need to do some welding & it shorts out or damages my electronics - will they cover that also ? I agree if you just throw in a bunk - no problem, but what about a guy like me or Mark519 , where do you draw the line

[aggie79]

Aggie 79

I think your missing the point, I have $20,000 worth of wires & stuff inside my trailer - none of that crap can be easily removed - would you like me to come to your house to fix my broken brake or running lights

THE ANSWER IS HELL NO - you wouldn't touch my trailer with a 100 pole, because if another wire was bad - the whole thing would go up in smoke & it would be your fault.

Actually, we're on the same page. I wouldn't take my teardrop to an RV center for repairs so I wouldn't expect a CT dealer to make repairs on anything I modified or installed.

[Glenlivet]

I'd think that if the maker (or an agent acting for the maker) has declared that should the buyer modify their design to suit a purpose not intended in its manufacture, and should a problem then develop in their product that is secondary to that alteration, then they the makers ought to be within their right to refuse to honour a warranty commitment.
If however the maker or agent communicated this position in a rude, arrogant, impolite, or dismissive manner then they are not deserving of the buyers business nor the business of anyone else who hears of it and disapproves. There's seldom an excuse for rudeness on the part of a salesperson.

It's not as though you are showing up at a Bentley dealership and asking what would happen to the warranty if you were to put a trailer hitch on one of their cars.

[lrrowe]

Thanks for all the interesting perspectives. My internet provider has been down all day yesterday and I have company today. I would like to add some more about my experience but I am going to have to wait until I am more alone and can think/write easier or more concisely. Maybe tomorrow night or Saturday AM.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Bob

[dustboy]

Wow, beautiful trailers, lame policy. You may have been told this by a grumpy worker who wasn't authorized to represent the company. It's still up to the management to control how every single employee interacts with customers.

[Mark519]

I would not even bother to ask Lark for warranty service after what I have done to my trailer!

[craig113]

Then my questions is that there are some enclosed trailer companies out there that will convert them at factory.
IE: windows, awnings, slide outs, cabinets, AC, lighting.
So I call BS for that company that will not sell to you. I own a load runner and with conversions that I have made the company still performs a service and any repairs that is needed to the trailer that has nothing to do with my work.