Hello- new member needing advice. I just bought a brand new enclosed trailer last weekend (picked up @ factory), and had electrical problems on the drive home. Brought it to the camper dealership who installed my new brake controller, as I thought the controller was the cause of the wiring problems. The dealership corrected the problem (it was the trailer, not the controller), but shortly after departing the dealership, the trailer disconnected from my truck, while traveling at approx. 20-30 mph. The trailer was dragged by the chains for about 2-300 yards, until I could pull over. The jack stand plate (sand pad) was sizzling and smoking like a fry pan, and was disfigured from being dragged. I returned the trailer, truck, etc back to the camper dealer, where the Manager said "they'd make it right". I'm ignorant to trailers/towing, so what should I expect for them to "make it right"? Could there be damage to the jack, the frame, the trailer, etc, or would the damage be limited to the flat metal jack stand(sand pad)? As I stated earlier, this trailer is BRAND NEW. I want to maintain the manufacturer's warranty, and I don't want this to be an issue a few years down the road (unseen damage). Any advice?

No idea on the damage, as that can only be determined with a visual inspection.. But, more than likely, it's going to be mostly the tongue jack that has suffered the most.But, I'd check to make sure you have the right size ball for the coupler on the trailer. It could be 1-7/8", 2" or 2-5/16". The size ball you need is the size stamped on the trailers coupler.It could be that it's a 2-5/16" coupler and you have a 2" ball??Anyway, good luck with it and at least you got the first scratch out of the way..:)Good luck,Mitch

I want to maintain the manufacturer's warranty, and I don't want this to be an issue a few years down the road (unseen damage). Any advice? Why would a trailer disconnect be a warranty problem?

path1 wrote:I want to maintain the manufacturer's warranty, and I don't want this to be an issue a few years down the road (unseen damage). Any advice? Why would a trailer disconnect be a warranty problem?Also my thoughts. The driver is responsible for checking how a trailer is hooked up. Before towing I checks lights, hitch, safety chains, brakes etc. I re-check every time I stop. If someone else hooked up for me I would re-check their work. JMHO.

WyoTraveler wrote:path1 wrote:I want to maintain the manufacturer's warranty, and I don't want this to be an issue a few years down the road (unseen damage). Any advice? Why would a trailer disconnect be a warranty problem?Also my thoughts. The driver is responsible for checking how a trailer is hooked up. Before towing I checks lights, hitch, safety chains, brakes etc. I re-check every time I stop. If someone else hooked up for me I would re-check their work. JMHO.I think the OP is concerned that repairs made by the dealer might compromise their warranty with the manufacturer.I agree that the driver should check the hookup before hitting the road, but I also believe the dealer holds some responsibility here if they did the hookup. Now, if the ball size is incorrect for the trailer, I think the driver is 100% at fault.Bruce

If the jack post isn't bent, there is no damage to the trailer. If all that's wrong is the sand pad, then either live with it or put on a new one. Why did the trailer come off? What was done incorrectly?Brian

New Enclosed Trailer, damaged by dealership | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

Oaklevel
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
Please do not take this the wrong way. But please get some help learning your new trailer. Just think what could have happened if the trailer got away & your wife being behind you hit it........... There are some U Tube videos that can help also if you have friends that have trailers ask for some "training"...... & practice if there is a big parking lot that is empty take your trailer & practice. I realize that the RV center hooked it up but as stated it is the operators ultimate responsibility.
I currently own 5 totally different trailers ..... They all pull & hook up a little differently.... In 30 plus years of towing campers & utility trailers, I have never had one come loose....... Always check & check again.... and as mentioned if leaving it parked in a parking lot recheck it.....pranksters have been known to loose hitches, chains etc. .
I am currently investigating a death where a forklift operator thought he could move another forklift that he was not trained on, out of the way. It got away from him & he ran into a storage rack............. hes never going home.

As far as the warranty that probably is not an issue but none of us has seen or knows what type of trailer you have. More than likely the damage is limited to the jack itself but without seeing it. The question is not possible to answer accurately.

Please I did not mean to beat you up but towing a trailer is not like driving solo. I drive 40K to 50K or more a year and have seen numerous accidents involving trailers....... on the other hand I am not saying not to just saying learn from your & everyone's mistakes.........

Good Luck & hopefully you will never have this happen to you again.... :)
mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 30, 2014
Hook up the chains and breakaway cable however you feel most comfortable. It doesn't matter, as long as you are comfortable with it.

I'm more interested in the outcome of the trailer repair.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Dec 29, 2014
Well Gee, looks like even the experts can't agree. RVIA has a different opinion RV Technician Certification
gmw_photos
Explorer
Dec 26, 2014
From the "for what it's worth" department, I can tell you my owner manual for the 4Star horse trailer states the breakaway cable should engage the trailer brakes before all the slack is taken out of the safety chains.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Dec 18, 2014
carringb wrote:
Proper towing setup should pull the breakaway lanyard before the chains pull tight. Otherwise, you have very little chance of controlling a large trailer hanging on the chains. The extra drag of the trailer brakes will pull the chains tight, and help it stay straight behind the tow vehicle. If you have properly rated chains (each chain equal to the GVWR of the trailer for trailers over 5,000 pounds), the trailer brakes will not overload them.
That's your opinion. My opinion is I want to control the brakes on that trailer myself as long as it is still connected to the vehicle, even if only by the chains.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Dec 18, 2014
coolbreeze01 wrote:
You and everyone sharing the road with you that day were very lucky. Replace the jack, good time to go electric, and call it a lesson learned.

Other than the jack, I doubt the trailer is damaged.

Ditto
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2014
I have dropped one three times . Usually the chains are short enough that the "A "frame has no chance of hitting the ground . I even dropped a fifth wheel in a parking lot , no damage . If I drop many more times then I am gonna hafta start checkin !
Sport45
Explorer II
Dec 16, 2014
The trailer brakes will also help keep the trailer from running up under your truck when you try to stop.
carringb
Explorer
Dec 16, 2014
the_happiestcamper wrote:
BenK wrote:
Another issue and ask this first: did the safety trailer brake lanyard set the
trailer brakes?

If not, then it is not adjusted correctly

I thought that was only if it came completely away from the tow vehicle. Seems like if they came on while it's riding the chains, that would cause it to pull back hard on the chains and possibly toss the tongue out of the chains altogether - not to mention what it could do to the tow vehicle or the driver's reaction to that.

Proper towing setup should pull the breakaway lanyard before the chains pull tight. Otherwise, you have very little chance of controlling a large trailer hanging on the chains. The extra drag of the trailer brakes will pull the chains tight, and help it stay straight behind the tow vehicle. If you have properly rated chains (each chain equal to the GVWR of the trailer for trailers over 5,000 pounds), the trailer brakes will not overload them.
the_happiestcam
Explorer
Dec 16, 2014
BenK wrote:
Another issue and ask this first: did the safety trailer brake lanyard set the
trailer brakes?

If not, then it is not adjusted correctly

I thought that was only if it came completely away from the tow vehicle. Seems like if they came on while it's riding the chains, that would cause it to pull back hard on the chains and possibly toss the tongue out of the chains altogether - not to mention what it could do to the tow vehicle or the driver's reaction to that.