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

nomad297
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014
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
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014
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.
path1
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014
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?
MitchF150
Nomad
Dec 14, 2014
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

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New Enclosed Trailer, damaged by dealership

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