Mr. Goodwrench
Senior Member
We have had our 295rl now for over 3 years and have taken many trips with it. I decided early on that I wanted to use the Turning Point feature and removed the locking bolts and installed the proper wedge for my B&W hitch. Many trouble free miles but I finally had to take the trailer to an RV Repair shop to have a new roof installed because of a leaky sky light that caused a soft spot in the roof. (Grand Design quickly said "not our problem" even though it was proven that they used the wrong type and size of screws to install from factory!).
Anyhow, when the time came last week to pick up our repaired trailer, they had our rig all ready for us and positioned it with the tongue facing out towards the exit from their facility. As is common with all dealers, they use a fork lift to move the rigs around their yard. So after inspecting the roof and doing paper work, we hitched up to my rig, did a pull test, and headed for home. When we turned out of the yard to the main street, there was a very loud snap and a big jerk to the truck!
I quickly stopped and jumped out of the truck only to see my trailer sitting in the street about 10 feet behind the truck with the kingpin dug into the pavement! My tailgate was laying next to it and my B&W hitch was destroyed. Fortunately, the repair place was quick to bring their forklift over and to the rescue. They got our trailer back into their yard and we discussed the situation.
There was some damage to the front cap where the bottom edge caught the truck which the repair place said come back tomorrow and we will check it out and give you an estimate. Well, since we were pretty shaken up, we decided to go home and calm ourselves. In the morning I went back to look at the trailer again and go inside and check for damage. When I arrived, the owner met me and we discussed the damage to the front cap. After doing that, I decided to crawl around under the hitch area for any more damage. That's when I saw it!
Two long bolts had been dropped into the holes that lock the Turning Point and keep it from turning! The owner saw it too and all I said to him was "guess we are going to have a different discussion now" and he said "yes, I'll be in my office". He quickly agreed that they had forgot to remove the temporary bolts that kept the hitch from turning when the wedge is installed. The owner also stated that he had damaged another trailer when he failed to notice that it had a Turning Point hitch and didn't lock it out when moving it with a fork lift and it jackknifed and hit the forklift, so he knew the proper procedure but whoever moved our trailer into position for us to pick up and drive away failed to remove the bolts.
They agreed to repair the fiberglass damage, replace my hitch, and repair my truck all at their expense. So my message is a reminder to always check your hitch closely anytime you hitch up. Even in a campground, someone could easily drop something into the lockout holes and disable your hitches turning ability. I know I will from now on!
Anyhow, when the time came last week to pick up our repaired trailer, they had our rig all ready for us and positioned it with the tongue facing out towards the exit from their facility. As is common with all dealers, they use a fork lift to move the rigs around their yard. So after inspecting the roof and doing paper work, we hitched up to my rig, did a pull test, and headed for home. When we turned out of the yard to the main street, there was a very loud snap and a big jerk to the truck!
I quickly stopped and jumped out of the truck only to see my trailer sitting in the street about 10 feet behind the truck with the kingpin dug into the pavement! My tailgate was laying next to it and my B&W hitch was destroyed. Fortunately, the repair place was quick to bring their forklift over and to the rescue. They got our trailer back into their yard and we discussed the situation.
There was some damage to the front cap where the bottom edge caught the truck which the repair place said come back tomorrow and we will check it out and give you an estimate. Well, since we were pretty shaken up, we decided to go home and calm ourselves. In the morning I went back to look at the trailer again and go inside and check for damage. When I arrived, the owner met me and we discussed the damage to the front cap. After doing that, I decided to crawl around under the hitch area for any more damage. That's when I saw it!
Two long bolts had been dropped into the holes that lock the Turning Point and keep it from turning! The owner saw it too and all I said to him was "guess we are going to have a different discussion now" and he said "yes, I'll be in my office". He quickly agreed that they had forgot to remove the temporary bolts that kept the hitch from turning when the wedge is installed. The owner also stated that he had damaged another trailer when he failed to notice that it had a Turning Point hitch and didn't lock it out when moving it with a fork lift and it jackknifed and hit the forklift, so he knew the proper procedure but whoever moved our trailer into position for us to pick up and drive away failed to remove the bolts.
They agreed to repair the fiberglass damage, replace my hitch, and repair my truck all at their expense. So my message is a reminder to always check your hitch closely anytime you hitch up. Even in a campground, someone could easily drop something into the lockout holes and disable your hitches turning ability. I know I will from now on!
