Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

[Rally]

Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

The service manager where I have had all of my service work done (18K at this point) got right in my face the other day and told me that if I put a hitch on my trike he will personally call the MoCo and have them "Black Line" (totally void) my warranty. Mind you that I am very active in their dealership as well as a Chapter road captain sponsored by this dealership. It is hard to believe that this guy would be so belligerent. All I am going to pull is my new Lees-ure Lite Camper that is only 255# and 17# tongue weight. I have 7 months remaining on my 2 years and almost bought the extended warranty but haven't at this point. All input will be sincerely appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Papa Zook]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

You'll get all kinds of opinions here I'm sure, but the dealership and MoCo are the only ones that can really answer that question and it sounds like they already have. Pull out your warranty docs and read them thoroughly. If it voids the warranty, I'm sure it will state so in the warranty literature.

 

[Rally]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Thank you for your input Zook. Before I bought my camper I thought I had covered my warranty provision in total and felt all was okay to buy my camper...and I of course am now the proud owner based on my previous findings. After the belligerent response I went back to my warranty. On page 1 it states "Never tow a trailer"... then on page 212 it states "warranty will not apply to any motorcycle/sidecar as follows: Which has not been operated and maintained as specified in the owners manual". :banghead:

 

[Oldmsocko]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

What did you do to upset him?? His reaction don't appear to me to be normal. Why should he want to call the MoCo??

 

[Rally]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

What did you do to upset him?? His reaction don't appear to me to be normal. Why should he want to call the MoCo??

Not knowing from squat at that point after our last HOG meeting...I innocently asked him to schedule my trike in service for a hitch installation. WOW...then the in the face tirade! I always thought I had a good working relationship with him and in his service department. His comments included that at rallies like Daytona there are factory reps that walk around and check for hitches on Harleys where they copy the vin number and 'black line' the warranties...therefor it was HIS responsibility to do so 'first'. To me it all is totally unbelievable!!!

 

[oleman69]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Now you know why people tell H-D to FO (we lost alot of good dealers back in the 80's and 90's from BS such as this) and if you ask around most H-D riders don't bother with warranty issues they just get it took care of and go on.

 

[Traveler]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

I have pulled trailers for years with various HD's. I just got a trike last week and will be putting a hitch on it to pull my leesure lite.

The dealer I work with does not care that I pull a trailer and has done warranty work knowing full well that I do so.

HOWEVER, both the factory rep AND the extended warranty company WILL not authorize warranty work if they know the bike has pulled a trailer.

A few years ago my RK was in the dealer for some warranty work, the factory rep was visiting and saw the hitch, looked at the work order and saw it was warranty...they finished it since it was already promised, but the service manager got a lecture and my bike was no longer eligible for future warranty work.... ie. black listed.

What makes it even more crazy is that one of the dealerships in town actually sells trailers...but they tell you right up front, if you buy it from us and pull it with your bike...warranty is voided.

 

[msocko3]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Not knowing from squat at that point after our last HOG meeting...I innocently asked him to schedule my trike in service for a hitch installation. WOW...then the in the face tirade! I always thought I had a good working relationship with him and in his service department. His comments included that at rallies like Daytona there are factory reps that walk around and check for hitches on Harleys where they copy the vin number and 'black line' the warranties...therefor it was HIS responsibility to do so 'first'. To me it all is totally unbelievable!!!

The more I think about this asshats respose to you the more ticked I get. After the last experience my dad went through with a dealer we used to have a good relationship with I have learned not to tolerate a dime dropper. The service manager at the dealer we used to do business with dropped a dime on my dad about SE255 cams we installed in his Trike which caused the service rep to flag his power train warranty. The unfortunate thing is they can give you bucket loads of grief if your caught pulling a trailer. I'd take my business elseware in the future if this is how they are going to act towards you.

 

[Southern Man]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

1st, if you have any basic wrenching skills changing the fluid in the HD is very easy and everything is easy to get to. You should be doing this yourself.

2nd, if you are not you should find a good indy shop that will charge you about 1/2 the MC labor and only darken the door of the dealers shop just to have warranty work done. He can remove your hitch for any warranty work that may need doing.

BTY, where is this dealer? I am from south Georgia and have had dealings with the service shop in Ocala and the service manager there was a pleasure to deal with.

 

[fordman55]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

What's really funny is if you look under a 2011 tri glide there on the cross members of the sub frame are (4) drilled and taped holes. When I looked under my tri glide and saw them I asked the salesman what the taped holes are for. His exact words were: some riders pull trailers and these holes are for mounting a hitch. Not only that right on the wall they sell 1-7/8" ball mounts. Wonder why. What's the difference hauling a 400lb. bitch of a 400lb. trailer.

 

[Tango]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Tell them it is just for a rack to put your cooler on. That you never pull a trailer. Tom

 

[msocko3]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Tell them it is just for a rack to put your cooler on. That you never pull a trailer. Tom

Now that is a good idea.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Tell them it is just for a rack to put your cooler on. That you never pull a trailer. Tom

Then why would you need a trailer wiring harness on the bike:innocent::no:.
Get a HD catalog and look in the SE section for the standard disclaimer for putting anything on the bike that is not street legal HD/SE items, installed by a HD Tech at an authorized HD dealership-even if that dealer sells those non-HD approved items!

 

[Dwight]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

The short answer is, at your dealer it does void the warranty! Our local shop has been installing trike kits for years without voiding the warranty. I'm pretty sure they never ID the bike as a trike, therefore no warranty problems. Pretty much up to the dealer, worked the same way when I had my Gold Wing. When I had to return it for Honda recall it was never ID'ed as a trike.

Dwight

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

The short answer is, at your dealer it does void the warranty! Our local shop has been installing trike kits for years without voiding the warranty. I'm pretty sure they never ID the bike as a trike, therefore no warranty problems. Pretty much up to the dealer, worked the same way when I had my Gold Wing. When I had to return it for Honda recall it was never ID'ed as a trike.

Dwight

You've been very lucky!
Just don't get stranded 1000 miles from home and need warranty work.
Also, of late, Honda is getting smart enough that factory reps are reviewing bike w/major drive train failures!

 

[Tango]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Then why would you need a trailer wiring harness on the bike:innocent::no:.
Get a HD catalog and look in the SE section for the standard disclaimer for putting anything on the bike that is not street legal HD/SE items, installed by a HD Tech at an authorized HD dealership-even if that dealer sells those non-HD approved items!

I had the mechanic install a harness that had a plug in on both ends. Unplug and tuck it in under the seat out of sight. This was on my Victory. It could be done on any bike. Tom :Spying:

 

[msocko3]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

You've been very lucky!
Just don't get stranded 1000 miles from home and need warranty work.
Also, of late, Honda is getting smart enough that factory reps are reviewing bike w/major drive train failures!

:Agree: Anytime you have a dealer install or modify something which Harley Davidson, Honda etc doesn't explicitly name as being part of their warranty your rolling the dice. The installing dealer may warranty it but like you said get 1,000 miles from home and bump into a straight laced dealer who feels they need to contact the mother ship concerning unauthorized modifications things could get ugly quick. I know of such a dealer, the service manager is a sniveling little yap dog who needs to call mommy and tell on the bad man who has modifications that are not covered by warranty.

 

[grapenuts]

Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975

"Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage. If the dealer cannot prove such a claim — or it proffers a questionable explanation — it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission administers the Magnuson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law."

Read more: Keeping Your Mod's Warranty Intact - For Dummies

If you go in for warranty service, the dealer, and HD, must therefore prove that any defect or repair was the direct result of any modifications you made to the motorcycle. For example, if the radio quits working they'll have a tough time claiming it's because you tow a trailer. If your compensator sprocket grenades and the dealer says it's because you tow a trailer, your response should be "Prove it!"

I've pulled a Bushtec many miles with my old Road King and now a Tri-glide with absolutely no problems. Ride on.

 

[msocko3]

Re: Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975

"Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage. If the dealer cannot prove such a claim — or it proffers a questionable explanation — it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission administers the Magnuson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law."

Read more: Keeping Your Mod's Warranty Intact - For Dummies

If you go in for warranty service, the dealer, and HD, must therefore prove that any defect or repair was the direct result of any modifications you made to the motorcycle. For example, if the radio quits working they'll have a tough time claiming it's because you tow a trailer. If your compensator sprocket grenades and the dealer says it's because you tow a trailer, your response should be "Prove it!"

I've pulled a Bushtec many miles with my old Road King and now a Tri-glide with absolutely no problems. Ride on.

1st you have to get them to agree to work on it. I know from experience how well waving the MM act works on a dealer. My dad had the owner of the dealer we used to do business with tell him he would not allow his technicians to work on his engine since I installed the SE255 cams in it. The factory rep placed a flag on the warranty stating all warranty claims for power train have to be approved by HD prior to work being performed. They can and will make things quite inconvenient if they choose too. I vividly remember mentioning the MM act and legal action to the owner and him stating "take any action you feel is necessary". To me that means get out your wallet and empty your bank account because this will be a long drawn out messy legal battle.

Yes Harley Davidson as a company has to prove your modifications caused the failure but the dealer doesn't have to work on it, they can tell you to take it some place else or give you an appointment 2 years in the future if they choose.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Re: Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975

"Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage. If the dealer cannot prove such a claim — or it proffers a questionable explanation — it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission administers the Magnuson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law."

Read more: Keeping Your Mod's Warranty Intact - For Dummies

If you go in for warranty service, the dealer, and HD, must therefore prove that any defect or repair was the direct result of any modifications you made to the motorcycle. For example, if the radio quits working they'll have a tough time claiming it's because you tow a trailer. If your compensator sprocket grenades and the dealer says it's because you tow a trailer, your response should be "Prove it!"

I've pulled a Bushtec many miles with my old Road King and now a Tri-glide with absolutely no problems. Ride on.

I hate to start this one but, with no disrespect meant, many have misinterpreted the Wording of the MM act. The statement about a radio defect vs towing a trailer is an ambiguous comparison. The correct correlation would be a tranny failure on a bike w/a trailer hitch installed, whether one actually tows a trailer or not! I'm afraid the dealer does not have to prove anything. The burden of proof will be on you. In particular HD has covered this w/a statement in their accessory catalog in the SE section. In part it states one can only use street legal HD/SE parts and they must be installed by a HD tech at an authorized HD dealer to keep warranty valid.

As I've stated many times, you are lucky you have not incurred any drive train problems w/a hitch installed. Hoping you never do as you may get a big awakening, especially if the failure occurs somewhere you are far away for the dealer you bought from. (They sometimes fail to report mods on customer bikes!) A failure of the non-OEM part is covered by that manufactures warranty, what should be noted about that is how short the guarantee is on most of these imported accessories!

 

[jim peacock]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Who was the dealer? When any one has a problem such as that with a dealer they should post it so every one knows who it is.
:GrpHug1::GrpHug1::GrpHug1::GrpHug1::GrpHug1ants downpants downpants downpants down

 

[red shuffles]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

change dealers i have seen dealers install hitches

 

[grapenuts]

In keeping with the civil nature of this forum, I don't want to seem argumentative. In the end I suppose that results will vary by dealership and owner. I certainly don't consider myself "lucky" for not experiencing any drive train failures. HD makes a robust unit and I have faith the my triglide will have no problem delivering me to my destination.

Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence that towing a trailer caused any damage to a motorcycle (other than operator error)? I've not heard any. It is likely that we are worrying about something that has little chance of happening anyway.

So why did HD put those 4 holes and stiffeners under the trunk if not for a trailer?

Grapenuts
'09 TriGlide in Red Hot Sunglow
matching Bushtec trailer

 

[msocko3]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Who was the dealer? When any one has a problem such as that with a dealer they should post it so every one knows who it is.
:GrpHug1::GrpHug1::GrpHug1::GrpHug1::GrpHug1ants downpants downpants downpants down

I would rather not name them, my dad and I both moved on to another dealer and no longer do business with them. I have been known to share the name via PM.

 

[msocko3]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

So why did HD put those 4 holes and stiffeners under the trunk if not for a trailer?

Anyones guess. Myself I don't sweat the warranty anymore, I've modified mine by installing cams, exhaust, tuner and yep I pull a trailer also. If it eats a transmission and won't be covered due to my choices so be it, guess I write a check. I do 99.99% of all my own work anyway so the only troubles I could have is when I'm far from home.

 

[Rally]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

As a newbie to this forum I am almost overwhelmed with all of your contributions to this thread and my dilemma. Seems like the old adage that if it has wheels or floats...gas is the least expense of ownership.

I am at the mercy of shop mechanics except for issues like Florida Love Bug removal :Bug2:

I am having the hitch installed by a shop that seems to be a somewhat honest and professional place to service my trike as the local dealers are "black lined"...since warranty enforcers like that term I am borrowing it. I'll refrain from naming names here but will share that info via PM. As with HD warranty issues...it is what it is. I'll just ride with trailer in tow worry free cuz I'm sure if any of you see me on the side of the road you will at least stop and say hi :Biker:

Additional comments are encouraged ThumbUp

 

[Gorilla]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

I know I'll stop John.

 

[RickDeVon]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

Now you know why people tell H-D to FO (we lost alot of good dealers back in the 80's and 90's from BS such as this) and if you ask around most H-D riders don't bother with warranty issues they just get it took care of and go on.

And the bottom line is ...it is my Harley and if it needs something I will see about it ..not into new..so if I need a motor it will get bigger and better...like the old Chevy in the yard with no warranty...

 

[screwball]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

I don't understand any of this. If you take your Harley to the dealer for warranty work, THE DEALER GETS PAID FOR THE WORK BY THE MOCO. If the service manager is a dick and says the won't warranty the work, you will take it somewhere else and the dealer doesn't get paid. What the hell do they care where the money comes from. If you have an aftermarket extended warranty, again some insurance company pays for it..... Key word PAYS. Service departments are in the business to make money. Service Managers get a percentage of what they write.

 

[Papa Zook]

Re: Is it really true that a hitch voids all warranties on a H-D?

In keeping with the civil nature of this forum, I don't want to seem argumentative. In the end I suppose that results will vary by dealership and owner. I certainly don't consider myself "lucky" for not experiencing any drive train failures. HD makes a robust unit and I have faith the my triglide will have no problem delivering me to my destination.

Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence that towing a trailer caused any damage to a motorcycle (other than operator error)? I've not heard any. It is likely that we are worrying about something that has little chance of happening anyway.

So why did HD put those 4 holes and stiffeners under the trunk if not for a trailer?

Grapenuts
'09 TriGlide in Red Hot Sunglow
matching Bushtec trailer

Why don't you ask HD directly?? The HD TriGlide assembly line supervisor is a registered member here.