Why is da Weight Police so mean??!?

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by RWRiley

Liability for who ?? The RV Dealer ? I have not seen or heard of any RV dealer held responsible for selling an RV the customer had no business pulling.

Originally Posted by JDDilly

When we got our last camper, I had to sign a form that I had a suitable TV and released the dealer for any liability. I did have a good TV, so didn't give it a thought.

When I bought my 2011 Springdale and my 2014 Cougar (both from different dealerships in different parts of Michigan) I had to sign a similar document stating that it is MY responsibility to provide a suitable tow vehicle and that the dealership bears no responsibility in making any recommendation on vehicle suitability.

I'd suspect that form, in one version or another, is a part of every dealership transfer of ownership for any RV.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

When I bought my 2011 Springdale and my 2014 Cougar (both from different dealerships in different parts of Michigan) I had to sign a similar document stating that it is MY responsibility to provide a suitable tow vehicle and that the dealership bears no responsibility in making any recommendation on vehicle suitability.

I'd suspect that form, in one version or another, is a part of every dealership transfer of ownership for any RV.

Same here.

[RWRiley]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

When I bought my 2011 Springdale and my 2014 Cougar (both from different dealerships in different parts of Michigan) I had to sign a similar document stating that it is MY responsibility to provide a suitable tow vehicle and that the dealership bears no responsibility in making any recommendation on vehicle suitability.

I'd suspect that form, in one version or another, is a part of every dealership transfer of ownership for any RV.

I'm on RV #6, and soon to be #7, and I have never had to sign any such form. But Ok - even so - this kind of helps me make my case. It doesn't make any difference what the salesman tells you. If you sign the document, you are specifically releasing them from liability - even better for them. So if you show up with a VW bug, and hook up to a 36' Bunkhouse, the dealer is still not responsible, no matter what they told you.

I would love to see RV dealers held accountable for pushing more RV than unsuspecting newbees can pull, but back to my original point. I have never heard of any dealer being held responsible for allowing someone to roll off of their lot with a less than capable tow vehicle. Sounds like now they are seeing that might happen, so they are pushing people to sign off regardless of what the salesperson said. I can hear the conversation now...."Oh yea - you can sign this - you have plenty of tow vehicle....No Problem".

[JRTJH]

Keystone is "just as guilty" as any dealership.

Take a look at the "half ton Arcadia".. It's got a 11,000 GVW with a 1655 (empty) pin weight and is 32'5" long and 13'4" tall.

Or the "3/4 ton Arcadia" with its 13,500 GVW, 1880 Pin, 36'6" long and 13'4" tall.

Either one is "a handfull plus" for both their "namesakes". I could see a gas 3/4 ton truck properly equipped with a 3/4 ton Arcadia, but I don't think any diesel 3/4 ton would have the payload for that trailer when loaded for travel.

As for a "half ton truck with a half ton Arcadia" ???? Cold day when that would be a "safe rig for a family and it would be a "far stretch for a single RV'er or a couple with no children. Pets, generators, grill, maybe even the 50 amp shore power cord would likely be too much to carry.....

So, Keystone's advertising section keeps "building the dreams" and I'd even suggest they're adding to the number of people who tow over their tow vehicle maximum ratings.

[jasin1]

The manufacturers are just using semantics….1/2 ton towable fifth wheel….sure you can use a f150 to tow from one side of the seasonal campground to the other or to move it around the dealers lot but they never meant to imply that you could tow it across the country (rv manufacturers probably)

[German Shepherd Guy]

Well someone had to set up the vehicle pictured upside down with the hitch. It no way came equipped from the factory with that set up.


I agree, from the nice white top I would suspect this was the maiden voyage for that T.T.


But truly whose responsibility? Has to be the owners. Thankfully they did not take out a family in a van at the same time, but still....
When it is obviously so wrong will insurance pay out? Anyone know? Will police ticket the driver for being so unsafe?

[notanlines]

Oak, the insurance company will pay. Ignorance/stupidity don't enter in to the settlement or else you wouldn't be covered if you were drunk, speeding, ran a red light, passed on a yellow line or all four. Insurance is, after all, what you're paying for.

[Ken / Claudia]

Regarding dealerships getting sued, with all the dealers and all the buyers in the US. It would not surprise me at all that someone has done something like buying their 1st RV and with in a mile could not stop as before without an RV pushing them and crashed at a intersection. Then attempted to blame the dealer. Any of those won in or out of court. That I doubt.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Oak, the insurance company will pay. Ignorance/stupidity don't enter in to the settlement or else you wouldn't be covered if you were drunk, speeding, ran a red light, passed on a yellow line or all four. Insurance is, after all, what you're paying for.

But afterwards you WILL pay dearly in increased premiums.
Yea! They'll "forgive" the accident, but they won't forget how much they paid out!

[sourdough]

OK fellas, I've got the answer to the worries about increased premiums. Not long ago a hail storm hit me in the NM mountains and damaged a vehicle. Took it in for an estimate then called the insurance company. When I told them it what happened and asked about rates I was told they would not go up, I couldn't avoid it....it was "an act of God". Well, just had a severe hail storm here in TX a few weeks back and it ruined our roof; I was shopping for homeowner's insurance at the same time as it was about to expire. When I filed the claim with them I again asked about effects on the premium....don't worry, the premium won't go up....it was an "act of God". And, it didn't they cut it by $600!!

So, if any of the bad things happen to me when I'm out and about, when I call and file a claim I'm just toing to tell them....don't be messing with my premium, it was "an act of God"!!

[German Shepherd Guy]

Seems like everything that happens to me is an "act of god".


I pissed him off when I was younger and still rode horses.

[Ken / Claudia]

I had a older woman driving at night during a rain storm in the middle lane and attempt to pass 18th wheelers that were in the fast and slow lanes. She bounced off the truck to her right several times, totaled her car and received minor injuries. I cited her for fail to "maintain traffic lane" it should have been the much higher charge and fine of "careless driving." But I was being nice and still doing my job.
She went to court and used the defense "The rain was a act of god" and that caused her to loose control of her car and crash. She was not responsible.
Judge found her guilty anyway.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

I had a older woman driving at night during a rain storm in the middle lane and attempt to pass 18th wheelers that were in the fast and slow lanes. She bounced off the truck to her right several times, totaled her car and received minor injuries. I cited her for fail to "maintain traffic lane" it should have been the much higher charge and fine of "careless driving." But I was being nice and still doing my job.
She went to court and used the defense "The rain was a act of god" and that caused her to loose control of her car and crash. She was not responsible.
Judge found her guilty anyway.

And that is as it should have been. My previous post was in jest; tongue in cheek. Some things are really "acts of God" and we have nothing to do with it, in other "acts of God" folks have a direct impact on that "act".

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

I had a older woman driving at night during a rain storm in the middle lane and attempt to pass 18th wheelers that were in the fast and slow lanes. She bounced off the truck to her right several times, totaled her car and received minor injuries. I cited her for fail to "maintain traffic lane" it should have been the much higher charge and fine of "careless driving." But I was being nice and still doing my job.
She went to court and used the defense "The rain was a act of god" and that caused her to loose control of her car and crash. She was not responsible.
Judge found her guilty anyway.

Did you ever wish there was a definition of “What the h e l l were you thinking” ticket!!!
When driving a normal car the tire spray is so blinding it is hard enough with a truck only on your right. I can’t imagine trying to drive through a tunnel of that road spray even in our Ram 3500!

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Oak, the insurance company will pay. Ignorance/stupidity don't enter in to the settlement or else you wouldn't be covered if you were drunk, speeding, ran a red light, passed on a yellow line or all four. Insurance is, after all, what you're paying for.

So true, then one of two things will happen, your rates will skyrocket OR they will cancel you.

[RickV]

The Dealer we have bought all three of our 5ers from have a nice feature on their website, there is a drop down menu that you enter your TV and you select everything about it model, engine type, cab type, drive type etc. It will then only show you what RVs they have that your TV can handle.

[Falcon67]

I'd suspect that form, in one version or another, is a part of every dealership transfer of ownership for any RV.

Wasn't in our paperwork, but then we pulled a 5K trailer off the lot with a truck rated for 24,000 GCVW. We intend to pull the 220RD with a F150 that has pulled easy 8K plus box trailers in the past - but only with a load leveler hitch and probably max 68~70 MPH based on the height and sail propensity. I see F150s pulling these things and larger running down I-20 at 75~80. Lots of nose up tows on the highway too.
Taking bad chances IMHO.