Ask Dale: Do I Really Void My Warranty By Pulling a Trailer?

Q) "My Harley dealer says if I put a hitch on my bike, my warranty is voided. Can they really do that?" - Bob B.

A) Bob, since warranty work is generally done at the discretion of the dealer, it really depends on the type of trailer you pull, the problem you're having, and the
relationship you have with your dealer.

An informal survey I've made of Harley dealers finds that many take a reasonable position. If the problem you're having with your bike is not related to trailering, they're happy to repair your bike under Harley's warranty program.

Let's say you have a hitch on your bike and you develop a problem with the bike's fuel injection system. Is that problem related to trailering? Probably not. A typical dealer would repair the bike and send you on your way.

Now, let's say you went out and bought a trailer that was not designed for a motorcycle but rather for a car (I've seen bikes pulling trailers designed for cars on more than one occasion). After a couple thousand miles you burn through your clutch or stretch your belt drive. Should your dealer honor the warranty? I wouldn't. Clearly, there is a correlation between the problem at hand and pulling a trailer that's too big for your bike.

So the bottom line is that if you install a proper hitch, good wiring, and pull a trailer designed specifically for motorcycles, you shouldn't have a problem with warranty issues.

If your dealer is adamant that they will not honor your warranty, it's time to find another dealer.

2009 Event Calendar

We've just posted our 2009 event calendar. In addition to the usual shows, we've added a couple new events this year. Among the highlights:

- April 18th - Open House. We'll demo our Rampage bike loader, show how our campers set up and fold, and we'll have trikes for demo rides. Free lunch, too!

- May 3rd - We'll be joining a sport-touring group in Winchester, Virginia for a ride. We meet and return to a common spot, but there are three or four self-guided routes to choose from. Pick the route YOU want to ride, and when you return, join others for dinner to recount the day's ride.

- June 19 & 20 - Camp Night at Blue Grass. One of my favorite events, this camp night benefits the local children's book bank in Blue Grass, VA. This event requires registration and will book early, so visit the link to their site on our web page and get registered. Expect registration to open some time in late January.

- August TBD - We'll host our own camp night at the Brandywine Recreation Area in Brandywine, WV. More details to follow.

Open Road's 2009 Event Calendar