Does hauling a trailer void your warranty?

[daf62757]

I just bought a trailer from a friend. I didn't need the trailer but it was such a good deal.

Everyone that is an experienced DH owner tells me the same thing. That pulling a trailer voids your warranty.

So, what is the take from you other forum members? What has been your experience on this issue?

 

[Livin2Ride]

My dealer turns a blind eye to my trailer and hitch, but that is not to say that all of them will. I've had 2 TriGlides and 3 different trailers, with the current one being a Bushtec Turbo 2. I've never had problems with the bike and trailer combo. We pull the trailer about 5K a year and it sure makes life on the road a lot more convenient. my opinion is that you pay your dime and take your chances, just like you do if you start making performance mods to the engine. Unless you leave the bike stock you are basically in a warranty limbo.

 

[rhino 2]

I just bought a trailer from a friend. I didn't need the trailer but it was such a good deal.

Everyone that is an experienced DH owner tells me the same thing. That pulling a trailer voids your warranty.

So, what is the take from you other forum members? What has been your experience on this issue?

Yes' But thats limited to drive train issue's....And not all dealers will flag you.
If a dealer does flag you and puts it in the Computer... All dealers have to abide by that!...

 

[Sloufoot]

On another forum a member recommended Zurich insurance for the ESP. They were told it covered towing, including all the hitch also.
It also covers all the accessory's on the Trike, even non Harley parts. They bought it through the HD dealer also.
Just an idea.......

 

[tfdeputydawg]

This question comes up from time to time on every forum I've been involved with. The straight answer from most manufacturers is simply this:
Any unapproved modification made or accessory added or any approved modification made or accessory not added by a tech at an approved dealer will cause a warranty claim to be rejected if the failure is found to be caused by said modification or accessory.
Other portions of the warranty would remain in affect.
Variations on this depends on each dealer and whether or not a factory rep gets involved!

 

[Livin2Ride]

This question comes up from time to time on every forum I've been involved with. The straight answer from most manufacturers is simply this:
Any unapproved modification made or accessory added or any approved modification made or accessory not added by a tech at an approved dealer will cause a warranty claim to be rejected if the failure is found to be caused by said modification or accessory.
Other portions of the warranty would remain in affect.
Variations on this depends on each dealer and whether or not a factory rep gets involved!

So....since my dealers tech took the hitch off my '12 and put it on my '15 and installed the new wiring kit that I provided, that when I'm in Montana on vacation and have a problem that the dealer in Montana isn't going to flag my bike. I doubt it..

 

[jc1300]

Cut and paste from thread about a week ago by me:

Interesting that I just had this conversation with my dealer. I purchased the extended warranty when I bought the 2015. As the extended warranty basically takes over the the HD warranty, there is no problem under that policy. The only thing not covered would be the Hitch itself. And just a heads up - If you have or are planning on installing a rear bumper, be aware that all hitch unit are not made for the extra space needed to clear the additional distance.

And not sure of the 2016 manual, but in the 2015 it doesn't say you can't haul a trailer. The wording on mine is that the "dangers" of pulling a trailer are such that they do not suggest the use of one. It never says "Don't - Can't - Voids" or any other wording suggesting that it would void a warranty.

jc

 

[Livin2Ride]

Cut and paste from thread about a week ago by me:

Interesting that I just had this conversation with my dealer. I purchased the extended warranty when I bought the 2015. As the extended warranty basically takes over the the HD warranty, there is no problem under that policy. The only thing not covered would be the Hitch itself. And just a heads up - If you have or are planning on installing a rear bumper, be aware that all hitch unit are not made for the extra space needed to clear the additional distance.

And not sure of the 2016 manual, but in the 2015 it doesn't say you can't haul a trailer. The wording on mine is that the "dangers" of pulling a trailer are such that they do not suggest the use of one. It never says "Don't - Can't - Voids" or any other wording suggesting that it would void a warranty.

jc

I saw your original post and I agree with you, but as I stated in my first post on this thread I feel you are in a "warranty limbo" where the trailer and hitch are concerned. Last Fall my bike was in for service and my dealers tech took it out of the service bay and pushed it into a back room and parked it with the rearend to a wall...reason, a HD Service Rep. had just walked into the building and the tech was just covering my a$$ which I thought was pretty decent of him. We love our trailers and have no intentions of giving them up warranty or not. I think that within the next 2-3 years HD will be ok with trailers behind trikes and that will be right after they find someone to build a trailer and put the HD name on it.

 

[trikermutha]

Could get flagged if factory rep comes out to check if you have any warranty work that they deem could be related to pulling with the hitch.

Ex: My Dad had his Bike converted to a 3 wheeler the rep came out and decline the warranty work ..

If out of warranty then it doesn't really matter as you have to pay the bill anyway.

Well good luck ThumbUp

 

[Sloufoot]

Harley is hurting financially on the sales of their new units & accessories. But they are still afraid to admit pulling a trailer doesn't hurt that much more than just being a Trike.
Can Am will sell you a trailer with their name on it ! The main thing is that you don't mount the hitch on the sprung chassis. If you follow their rules, there isn't a problem. Their drive is also a cog belt drive. Also their Trike isn't light either.
Just one example, but how long before Harley sees a whole other area for sales !

 

[bigfish_Oh]

my dealer(where I bought it) will flag it if he see's the hitch.

 

[Woody]

talked to my dealer the other day and told him I did not have a trailer but I wanted to put a cooler rack and small cooler back there he said if it's got a hitch it voids the warranty.

 

[J.T.M.]

I was in a HD dealer in Tenn looking around. They said they will sell you the bike, install the hitch, sell you a trailer then hook it up for you. All under factory warranty.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

My dealer told me the same thing,a trailer hitch will void the warranty,so i wont chance it.Unless we will be gone for two weeks or more don't see the need for more room,over the years I have learned to pack light.If we are going to stay at one location for a week or more i will UPS extra clothes to the motel.Just check with the manager first.

 

[viking]

vikig watch the dealers they approach this differently

I just bought a trailer from a friend. I didn't need the trailer but it was such a good deal.

Everyone that is an experienced DH owner tells me the same thing. That pulling a trailer voids your warranty.

So, what is the take from you other forum members? What has been your experience on this issue?

i have a 2010 triglide with a trailer hitch on it i pull a leisure lite pop up tent camper .
they will void your war.It's in the warr. paperwork.i had no trouble for 5 years..7 year war. on bike.
when traveling i'd ask each dealer if it was going to be problem.most dealers turn a blind eye.
one dealer called harley and turned me in.They refunded 2 years or my warr.

be careful viking

 

[Woody]

Had my Trike serviced the other day and he said not to have the hitch on there when I bring it to them but if they don't see it they don't know.

 

[MikeyTX]

Glad I don't need one. However, as mentioned, there is a disclaimer in the '16 om pertaining to a trailer hitch. The wording is such that the addition of a hitch, regardless of whether or not a trailer is pulled, can nullify all or part of the warranty.

 

[MikeyTX]

I was in a HD dealer in Tenn looking around. They said they will sell you the bike, install the hitch, sell you a trailer then hook it up for you. All under factory warranty.

I'd want that in writing .......

 

[rhino 2]

I'd want that in writing .......

And notarize......

 

[MikeyTX]

Yeah that !