Advantage Trailer Company made no effort to resolve the serious issues with the trailer they sold me, which ultimately caused significant mechanical damage to my truck's transmission and drive shaft issues that could have led to a dangerous accident on the road. The trailer they provided was far too large for my boat, resulting in continuous problems. The trailer's bunks compressed my trim tabs, causing permanent damage, and they failed to check the tongue weight, which was well above the standard limit. Additionally, the taillights were not functioning when I picked up the trailer, and despite their initial attempt to fix them, the lights have never worked properly.
I first became aware that something was wrong when I noticed my trim tabs being compressed due to the oversized trailer. After towing my boat just three times, my truck began experiencing violent vibrations even when I wasn't towing the boat. Following multiple visits to the truck dealership, I was informed that my transmission needed to be replaced and that my drive shaft was not operating correctly. I had never experienced any issues with my truck before using this new trailer from Advantage Trailer Company.
Despite numerous emails and phone calls, Advantage Trailer Company consistently dismissed my concerns. Initially, they gaslighted me into believing the boat's placement on the trailer was normal. However, after requesting photos, they acknowledged the improper fit, only to later deny any wrongdoing and refuse to exchange the trailer for one that was correctly sized. They repeatedly claimed that the issue was out of their hands because they are just "a dealer, not the manufacturer." When I requested contact information for Continental Trailer, the manufacturer, they were unable to provide it.
After months of back and forth, I took it upon myself to find Continental Trailer's contact information. Upon reaching out, Continental confirmed my purchase with Advantage and sent a representative to inspect the trailer. His proposed solution was to cut the bunks so that my trim tabs would no longer be compressed. However, when I mentioned the significant issues, my truck was experiencing while towing, he assured me he would coordinate with Advantage Trailer Company to have my trailer brought in for adjustments. After that conversation, I never heard from him again. Advantage Trailer Company continued to take my calls but repeatedly gave me the runaround, stating that they could not assist me any further.
Ultimately, they refused to take responsibility for selling me an improperly sized trailer or for the consequences that followed. My boat mechanic eventually identified the core issue: while the trailer itself is too large for my boat, the primary problem was the tongue weight. Ideally, the tongue weight should be around 350-400 pounds, but my mechanic's scale maxed out at 850 pounds, leading him to estimate that the actual tongue weight exceeded well over 850 pounds. He had to relocate the winch to properly balance the load of the boat.
The bottom line is that I purchased a boat trailer from a dealer who assured me it was in proper working condition and correctly suited for my boat. Not only was this untrue, but they also failed to provide any assistance in adjusting or calibrating the trailer to fit my boat safely. This experience serves as a clear example of a company that takes advantage of its customers. Between repair costs and time lost from work, I have suffered significant financial losses. While I am still considering legal action, my priority is ensuring that others are aware of this company's dishonest practices and their failure to stand behind their products. read more