Pulling a trailer
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
The warranty is a written document between the manufacturer and the owner. It can not be voided. Please get this through your head. Anyone who says this, dealer included, is ignorant.
The manufacturer can "DENY" an individual claim for reason's expressly stated in the warranty. Even then it must be shown that the use was the 'CAUSE" of the failure.
If you own anything with a warranty you should Google the federal Magnuson-Moss federal act on warranties. That way you will know when your are being bs'd. And there is a lot of that thrown around.
The manufacturer can "DENY" an individual claim for reason's expressly stated in the warranty. Even then it must be shown that the use was the 'CAUSE" of the failure.
If you own anything with a warranty you should Google the federal Magnuson-Moss federal act on warranties. That way you will know when your are being bs'd. And there is a lot of that thrown around.
IH4X4,
I wish you were correct, but you have some common misconceptions in your post. I guess we shouldn't call it "voiding" the warranty, but that's in practice what happens. When the dealer sees you've installed a hitch, they can enter that info into the HD system and any warranty claims that you try to make will be "denied" as you state. However, when you state that "it must be shown that the use was the "CAUSE" of the failure", you are incorrect (at least at this point). All that the manufacturer has to do in practice is to tell you that they are denying warranty coverage. Then the ball is in your court. You would have to file suit to get them to cover whatever it is. Good luck. At some point, they may have to substantiate that the item you installed "caused" the failure. As long as you are willing to take the time and money to get to that point. Then it's as easy as pie for them to "prove" it. Any of their engineer's (experts) can simply state that the trailer caused stress on the drivetrain "that is outside the design parameters". Once again, all this costs you money to hire your own experts and go to court. That "MM" act that you are relying on is worthless as far as this kind of thing goes.
I haven't ever heard of HD denying coverage to anyone. However, they must have a "thing" for trailer towing as it's in the manual and my dealer specifically told me not to do it.
I wish you were correct, but you have some common misconceptions in your post. I guess we shouldn't call it "voiding" the warranty, but that's in practice what happens. When the dealer sees you've installed a hitch, they can enter that info into the HD system and any warranty claims that you try to make will be "denied" as you state. However, when you state that "it must be shown that the use was the "CAUSE" of the failure", you are incorrect (at least at this point). All that the manufacturer has to do in practice is to tell you that they are denying warranty coverage. Then the ball is in your court. You would have to file suit to get them to cover whatever it is. Good luck. At some point, they may have to substantiate that the item you installed "caused" the failure. As long as you are willing to take the time and money to get to that point. Then it's as easy as pie for them to "prove" it. Any of their engineer's (experts) can simply state that the trailer caused stress on the drivetrain "that is outside the design parameters". Once again, all this costs you money to hire your own experts and go to court. That "MM" act that you are relying on is worthless as far as this kind of thing goes.
I haven't ever heard of HD denying coverage to anyone. However, they must have a "thing" for trailer towing as it's in the manual and my dealer specifically told me not to do it.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Woodridge IL
If I can't pack it on the back and sides of my road king cl... then I just don't bring it. I walk with a cane so after riding all day I don't mind a hotel if I'm by my self. If some friends come along I like the old school ways and have someone drive a van behind us to haul the crap. I have a coupl of friends that sware by them. Well good luck.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
It is easy as pie. Have the work done and pay for it. File a small claims against the dealer. Show up with the receipt and a copy of the federal act. The dealer has the burden of proof that the modification was the "proximate" cause of the failure. You do not have to prove that it was not. Filing a small claims is usually less than $100.
About the only damage a trailer can do to the bike is if you go around a corner way to fast and it slides out and takes the bike with it. That does happen.
It will not have an adverse effect on the electrical system or the drive system. Over the years there are thousands of trailers towed if not 10's of thousands. There are about 30 manufacturers is the business.
Ask anyone on the forum if they have had a failure that was a result of towing. I doubt if you will find any.
Most trailers are under 200 lbs when loaded. I have seen two up with two 300 lbs plus occupants. Will HD deny a clutch claim?
Most worry way too much about the warranty. Use the bike like you want. It will survive quite well. If you worry about fixing it you should not have bought it in the first place.
Don't be wusses fight for your self. I had a car dealer try not to pay a small claim that they lost. I filed to sell the dealership by the Sheriff on the court house steps. They paid up fast!
About the only damage a trailer can do to the bike is if you go around a corner way to fast and it slides out and takes the bike with it. That does happen.
It will not have an adverse effect on the electrical system or the drive system. Over the years there are thousands of trailers towed if not 10's of thousands. There are about 30 manufacturers is the business.
Ask anyone on the forum if they have had a failure that was a result of towing. I doubt if you will find any.
Most trailers are under 200 lbs when loaded. I have seen two up with two 300 lbs plus occupants. Will HD deny a clutch claim?
Most worry way too much about the warranty. Use the bike like you want. It will survive quite well. If you worry about fixing it you should not have bought it in the first place.
Don't be wusses fight for your self. I had a car dealer try not to pay a small claim that they lost. I filed to sell the dealership by the Sheriff on the court house steps. They paid up fast!
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 29, 2009 at 06:33 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 2
From: Bucks County PA
Why not buy a trailer and pull the bike. Take whatever you want in your vehicle and trailer the bike. When it's wet drive the car! My wife and I did that this summer and it was wonderful!! Ah but true bikers must ride through sand and rain and sleet, etc.... have fun, I enjoy being safe and dry. We were caught in the rain a couple of times, but no big deal. When we were young we camped clear across this great land. Now, we camp in condos with our points from our timeshare... I have nothing to prove and my wife is happy! IMO buy a good bike trailer for your truck! I expect to take some ribbing on this.... bring it on 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
Why not buy a trailer and pull the bike. Take whatever you want in your vehicle and trailer the bike. When it's wet drive the car! My wife and I did that this summer and it was wonderful!! Ah but true bikers must ride through sand and rain and sleet, etc.... have fun, I enjoy being safe and dry. We were caught in the rain a couple of times, but no big deal. When we were young we camped clear across this great land. Now, we camp in condos with our points from our timeshare... I have nothing to prove and my wife is happy! IMO buy a good bike trailer for your truck! I expect to take some ribbing on this.... bring it on
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
Since I started this a couple of weeks ago was at the stealer the other day asked the salesman I bought the bike from about the warranty, he said look in the owners manual and it says that it voids the warranty, but also said to unbolt hitch if you have to take bike in for any work.
thanks for all of the replies guysthere has been a ton of good info on this thread.
Santa
thanks for all of the replies guysthere has been a ton of good info on this thread.
Santa
The extended warranty is very specific about a trailer but I don't find anything specific in owners manual.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 2
From: Bucks County PA
Not me... I pull the bike when necessary-- perhaps it was an error in the thread. Nothing better than my Suburban with my bike behind me in a rain storm! Arrive dry and ready for the sun to shine.... oh yes, it makes my bride quite happy, too. For me that is important. 36 years in November. She has put up with a lot! Dropped it on the Dragon and she kep riding with me!!! 
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
Not me... I pull the bike when necessary-- perhaps it was an error in the thread. Nothing better than my Suburban with my bike behind me in a rain storm! Arrive dry and ready for the sun to shine.... oh yes, it makes my bride quite happy, too. For me that is important. 36 years in November. She has put up with a lot! Dropped it on the Dragon and she kep riding with me!!!