Trailer Dealers & Warranty

3Ts · Aug 22, 2020

I've pretty much narrowed my dump trailer selection down to a PJ gooseneck dump trailer. It will have to be ordered. So, there are 2 dealers I can order from: 1st dealer is 2 hours north of me and not to far from the factory, but only does sales, no warranty work, limited stock on hand, but is easy to get a hold of although doesn't always follow thru on what he says. 2nd dealer is 2 hours south of me and does sales and repair work. Lots of stock on hand, but seems like always busy and hard to get a hold of. I went in to talk about a trailer purchase and an hour later he was still with a customer so I left. Not sure if there was a problem, understaffed, or the receptionist forgot to tell him we were waiting. And a side note, the 2nd dealer isn't very far off the path when we visit our daughter.

so, my questions:
1) What kind of warranty work have you needed to have done on your trailers? My utility trailer has never needed any warranty work, and I've made a couple of mods my self, i.e. add'l stake pockets, light brackets, repair of axle hangers and spare tire carrier, so I can fix most (but not the major) problems that may come up.
2) What dealer would you go with? I still want to revisit with the 2nd dealer to get a feel for how they actually are. (I'm assuming the receptionist forgot us)
3) How important is the dealer in a trailer purchase since I'm assuming that warranty repairs will be few and far between.

Redlands Okie · Aug 22, 2020

Trailer Dealers & Warranty

Seems you have limited choice. A dealer that does work on Trailors can be a good deal if needed. The fact that he was busy with another customer is irritating but at least he was actually busy.

You mention that the first dealer does not always follow through on what he says. So you already know you got a problem there.

oosik · Aug 22, 2020

In 50+ years of owning many types of trailers - NEVER had to return for any type of repair.

kthompson · Aug 22, 2020

It sure seems odd a dealer would not do the warranty work. Or they close enough the factory is willing to? Can say I ever needed any warranty work on a trailer either but don't use my trailers real often and not for long trips. Maybe just maybe the second dealer, one you waited on an hour and failed to is busy because they do a good job. Or poor manager of their time and employees. But with large stock would expect it is because they sell a lot.

nisaacs · Aug 23, 2020

Warrantee work can be important, you will be amazed at some of the shoddy work. Most of the needs/repairs I do myself, however, when needed the factory or dealer will step up and help. Most of my buys are too far away to go back.

Have you checked with Happy Trailer Sales (PJ) in Texas, they have six stores and a lot of inventory. How about The Trailer Guys in Texas, they have three stores and sell Load Trail mostly, some Iron Bull and Delco. They have several 16' goosenecks.

RickB · Aug 23, 2020

Not performing warranty work would be an instant non-starter for me on a trailer regardless of the low odds of needing that service.
Kinda like buying a zero turn at a big box store, you are signing up for disappointment.

crazyal · Aug 23, 2020

I'm not sure if I would be turned off by the dealer to the south just yet. With the virus it's hard to know if they are at their normal staffing levels or if business is busier than normal. While I don't like to stand around waiting I also don't like a salesperson who just gives me a quick answer without any detail. For example, if you had a question about leaf spring vs torsion axles. If the salesperson just said "one's steel and the other is rubber" without getting into why you would choose one over the other is that really someone you would want to deal with? They could be busy because they are going into details like longevity and tire wear when asked that question. The difference could be 5 minutes vs an hour answering questions. When it comes to having work done after the sale you'll be dealing with the service team, not sales. I would try to see how busy the shop is.

3Ts · Aug 23, 2020

Have you checked with Happy Trailer Sales (PJ) in Texas, they have six stores and a lot of inventory. How about The Trailer Guys in Texas, they have three stores and sell Load Trail mostly, some Iron Bull and Delco. They have several 16' goosenecks.

Wasn't aware Happy Trailer Sales did anything other than Horse trailers, I drive by them twice every month. I'll stop in next trip. I've seen an Iron Bull dump and it's ok, but PJ has a few niceties that i'd prefer.

Crazyal's comment is kinda where I'm at right now. My problem is the 2 hour drive down and 2 hour drive back to (maybe) talk with a salesman. I'll try to see if I can get an appointment this next time - an hour with a customer that has lots of questions and is a serious buyer isn't unreasonable. So, i'll try them again but it'll be a while before I can get back down there.