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[indcoltz]

Does anyone know of anyone that has had there warranty voided by HD for having a trailer hitch on there bike? Does anyone know the facts and not assumptions on why or how they can void your warranty for having a trailer hitch on your bike, especially if the trailer and rider do not exceed the gross vehicle rating of the bike?

[Twolanerider]

Does anyone know of anyone that has had there warranty voided by HD for having a trailer hitch on there bike? Does anyone know the facts and not assumptions on why or how they can void your warranty for having a trailer hitch on your bike, especially if the trailer and rider do not exceed the gross vehicle rating of the bike?

I do know someone who had a warranty repair declined based on having a hitch installed.  He'd had an internal transmission failure.

Harley doesn't have to give a reason after the fact for not honoring warranty if a hitch is installed.  It is simply a term specified within the warranty contract we all accept when we buy the bikes.  It's there.  Period.  We live with it or not based entirely on our own choice and we are forewarned.

[Decano]

If you have a warranty or extended warranty, don't do anything to give them a reason to void it.  Other than chrome bolt on accessories, I have a bone stock exhaust, air cleaner and no mods on the engine.  MoCo has had to replace the engine, 2 starters, 4 sets of heated handgrips, the garage door opener, highway pegs, rear wheel, neutral light and handlebars.  Make them pay for their shoddy products!

[Bubba]

If you have a warranty or extended warranty, don't do anything to give them a reason to void it.  Other than chrome bolt on accessories, I have a bone stock exhaust, air cleaner and no mods on the engine.  MoCo has had to replace the engine, 2 starters, 4 sets of heated handgrips, the garage door opener, highway pegs, rear wheel, neutral light and handlebars.  Make them pay for their shoddy products!

Dang that sounds like the 12 Days of Christmas but only in hell mode!!!!!


Sorry for your bad luck with the bike but glad that the MoCo is doing something about it for you.

[indcoltz]

Ok guys I'm not saying it's not there but I just went over my owners manual and can not find anything about pulling a trailer other than on page 6 that is a warning. It just states it can cause tire overload, reduce braking and effect handling. But it does not say anything like some of the other sections about voiding warranty. Also on page 7 it states that you should not put a sidecar on a FLHTCUSE motorcycle as it is not designed for sidecar use. If anyone knows where this information is please let me know I would like to read it. Thanks

[grc]

Ok guys I'm not saying it's not there but I just went over my owners manual and can not find anything about pulling a trailer other than on page 6 that is a warning. It just states it can cause tire overload, reduce braking and effect handling. But it does not say anything like some of the other sections about voiding warranty. Also on page 7 it states that you should not put a sidecar on a FLHTCUSE motorcycle as it is not designed for sidecar use. If anyone knows where this information is please let me know I would like to read it. Thanks

I don't have a current model manual handy, but the 2005 manual does not specifically say trailer towing will void the warranty.  If you have an issue with a dealership trying to jerk you around on a warranty issue, you need to ask them to show you in writing where it says trailer towing voids the warranty.  

What prompted your question?  Are you currently towing a trailer and someone refused to perform warranty service for that reason, or are you contemplating towing a trailer and someone warned you it would void your warranty?

When in doubt, I've always found that warranty questions are best directed to the folks who provide the warranty.  In this case, that would be the Harley-Davidson Motor Company (aka those cheap bastards in Milwaukee).  Call them, ask your question, and then ask for the response in writing.  Assuming they tell you something you don't want to hear, you might also ask why they didn't disclose this information at the time of purchase, and do they think hiding this information and springing it on unsuspecting folks after the fact meets the requirments or intent of Federal warranty law.  Don't be surprised if they hang up on you over that last part, however.


Jerry

[SBB]

I don't have a current model manual handy, but the 2005 manual does not specifically say trailer towing will void the warranty.  If you have an issue with a dealership trying to jerk you around on a warranty issue, you need to ask them to show you in writing where it says trailer towing voids the warranty.  




Jerry

Jerry

The 05 manual states,  (page 6)

Warning!
Do not pull a trailer with a motorcycle. Pulling a trailer can cause tire overload, reduced braking efficiency and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Strange thing, the 03 and 09 manual reads the same.
Warranty is never mentioned.

SBB

[OhioDave]

I have a friend who was having ongoing starter problems with his 08 Ultra, after tiring of the dealers attempts to repair it and lame excuses he called HD customer service, only to be told that the dealer reported to them that he towed a trailer and that his warranty was void. He demanded to know how having a hitch on his bike meant he towed a trailer, and also how that could cause a starter problem. Harley relented and saw to it that the bike was fixed.

[grc]

Jerry

The 05 manual states,  (page 6)

Warning!
Do not pull a trailer with a motorcycle. Pulling a trailer can cause tire overload, reduced braking efficiency and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.

Strange thing, the 03 and 09 manual reads the same.
Warranty is never mentioned.

SBB

Exactly Chip.  Nothing in the warranty statement given to the customer states that trailer towing will void the warranty.  If H-D has internal documents that spell that out, I don't think keeping it a secret meets the letter or the intent of the Federal law on warranties. 

Last time I checked, warranty coverage could only be denied if the failure was caused by the modification in question.  And the burden is on the warrantor to prove the failure was caused by the modification, not on the customer to prove otherwise.  If you take a bike in for a trans failure, and it has a trailer hitch installed, that is not proof that you actually towed a trailer.  For instance, I've had hitches on my last 3 SUV's, and never had a trailer connected to any of them.  I order them equipped that way just in case I want to tow something.  If H-D and the dealer haven't actually witnessed you towing a trailer, the hitch isn't proof of anything other than possible intent to tow.

Problem with all this theoretical stuff, however, is that the MoCo is the type of company that will do as they please and force you to spend the time and money to fight them.  Probably be much smarter to just remove the hitch any time the bike is taken to the dealer for anything. 

BTW, H-D sold sidecars for a lot of years.  The sidecar with a full sized rider on board would most likely put one heck of a lot more strain on the bike than one of the modern small trailers.  I agree with the safety precautions for towing, but if the small extra amount of strain a trailer puts on the drivetrain is enough to cause failures, H-D is building a bigger POS than I thought.


Jerry

[indcoltz]

GRC, I agree with the component thing, and if that is true, then anyone out there with more than 450pds on there bike should have to suffer the same consequences. The component overload would be possibly. too much weight. I'm telling you the average rider is close too 200pds give or take, you add his passenger and his accessories along with the weekend luggage or just the capacities that Harley states you can put in and on the bike in the saddle bags tour pack and so on, you will be over the gvwr. Now would this cause severe handling would this be an overload on the tires would this not cause longer braking? The reason I'm so upset is my dealer advised me if I came in with the trailer hitch on my bike my warranty would be voided, now to me that is a threat and if your going to threaten someone make sure you have all the correct information. Well I'm just trying to research this thing to find out if anyone themselves not a friend of a friend or someone that knows of someone that has had there warranty void because of a trailer hitch. Yes my dealer can be a horses backside at times and this one just hit me wrong.

[indcoltz]

GRC, FYI HD states on page 7 that the SE is not recomended for putting on a sidecar but you see them on there. Now there they recomend you not to put something on. I can understand that. Ok time for me to get off my soapbox and take a chill pill

[HOGMIKE]

My local dealer will "overlook" the addition of my "flag-holder".
On the road, if I have an issue, the hitch comes off (not too difficult).

All depends on what dealer you are at.

 

[indcoltz]

OK, I spoke with customer service at HD and asked them exactly what the deal is on putting a trailer hitch on the back of a bike, would it or could it void your warranty. They stated that it could due to the changing or modifying the motorcycle. Harley is actually calling it a modification and that in itself could cause you to loose your warranty.

[ultrafxr]

My local dealer who has 4 locations stocks and sells American Legend trailers.  Wonder what the moco regional rep thinks/says when he visits.  Go figure.

[grc]

OK, I spoke with customer service at HD and asked them exactly what the deal is on putting a trailer hitch on the back of a bike, would it or could it void your warranty. They stated that it could due to the changing or modifying the motorcycle. Harley is actually calling it a modification and that in itself could cause you to lose your warranty.

And the sky could fall, and the Laker's could come back from a 2-3 deficit, and I could hit the jackpot on the Powerball.  The answer they gave you could be useful, or not very much.

I think it all goes back to viewing each situation on it's own merits.  If you pull in to your friendly dealership with 1000 pounds of trailer and gear hooked to the back end and complain about brake fade, tire wear, belt stretch, trans noise, etc., don't expect any sympathy or any warranty coverage.  By the same token, if you roll in with a trailer hitch installed and complain about defective gauges or chrome peeling off the wheels or lousy paint on the fuel tank, and they try to give you the "warranty void" BS, you need to invite them to meet you in court.

Anything that isn't exactly as it was when it left the factory can be considered a modification.  Changing the seat to an aftermarket product is a modification, but it doesn't void the warranty on any other part of the bike.  Once again, Federal warranty law places the burden of proof on the warrantor, not on the customer.  If you have a powertrain failure that is obviously due to overloading, and they can prove the failure was due to overloading and not a defect, then sorry charley but you lose.  If they can't prove it wasn't a defect, they lose.  And that's the way it should be.  If you want to avoid having to fight for your rights in court, do yourself a favor and don't flaunt any "modifications" when you go in for warranty work (take the hitch off).  Excuse me if this hurts anyone's feelings, but I don't have much sympathy for people who go to their friendly dealer for warranty coverage on a bike with an aftermarket ECM, non-stock cams and heads, high compression pistons, oversize throttle bodies, etc., and get all pizzed off because they won't cover the blown crankshaft or clutch under warranty.  


Jerry