I've been reading about your plight and can empathize with your predicament. It sounds as if your problem has been well analyzed, and you know what your limitations are. To me, it sounds as if you have a few choices, none of them being inexpensive or easy.

The first would be to try to cut your losses and replace your trailer. The second is to spend some serious money replacing and upgrading to the proper running gear and hoping the frame is strong enough for the modifications. The third is using the legal system which is expensive, time consuming and not always beneficial.

The fourth is one I would try. Unless you can expect the trailer's manufacturer to come up with a favourable resolution, you have an item that isn't working for you. The more time spent on trying to make it work, the less time you have to enjoy your hobby and life. Consult an attorney for his best advise. If he agrees, get rid of the problem, keep all your records and start your litigation. In the mean time, purchase what you need to satisfy your requirements and move on.

Life is short and you have to grasp as much of it as you can, now..

Best of luck  Gard

Not sure how they split up I just know that I check it and the trailer shop checked it also and came up with the same figures.  14,660 axle with 2 large horses, 2 avg. horses, all full but the waste tanks. 

I'm sure the repair shop knows how to get the correct weight, seeing how all they do is trailer repair and I would say 90% of their buisness is axle work and air ride equipment conversions.

gard,

Another question.  I had another shop check my trailer today to get a quote on installing larger axles, tires and wheels and was told that it could be done. But the main problem is going to be if DOT starts checking horse trailer closer and I get checked loaded and my axle weight is over 14-k lbs that I would get a ticket and may have to unload to get my weight at or under the 14-k rating that is listed on the vin tag because I would have no way to change the figures on that sticker.  The other problem he is informing me about is hardware and mounting points on the frame will need to be replaced or reinforced.  Then I got the good news, the cost!  I am looking at around 15-k or so depending on how much reinfocement is needed.  This includes, 2 8-k lbs  Dexter axles, 4 17.5" steel wheel, 4 17.5" trailer tires that are rated at 4800lbs each, raising and reinforcing the frame from the axles toward the front of the trailer.  I thought it was high, but he told me that this was a big job and would be just as easy to get rid of the trailer and buy a differrent brand fast!

So the actaul question is, does these figures seam right?

The costs do seem high, but the upgrades will involve a lot of work. You should be able to get an idea of the cost of materials by checking out Dexter's web site, and other's to price the wheels and tires and various parts, etc. I don't see why a fabrication shop, with all the parts in hand, couldn't complete most of the physical swap in a day, two at the out set. Figure the cost of materials, and add an hourly rate for two mechanics for two days, add a few hundred for shop supplies, and you should be able to establish a ball park figure.

There will be a problem with the documentation. After all your upgrades are completed, according to the law, your trailer still only has the original capabilities as posted on the manufacturer's data plate. Only the manufacturer can post the limitations, as he is also bound by various rules and regulations, to build a trailer within certain specifications. The manufacturer undoubtedly will not issue an addendum, because he would then be responsible for work, of which he has no knowledge.

Another problem is the original trailer's frame. Your trailer's manufacturer has a history of installing undersized components and overstating its capabilities. How do you know that the upgraded components won't overtax the frame? Your trailer is only as good as its weakest component. It would take a structural engineer to asses and evaluate the capabilities of what your trailer has.

It might be that beside your new axle attaching points, a crack may develop in your frame. Your suspension is upgraded, but all of that loading is transferred to other parts of the frame. The weak link will fail. All a fabricator can do is use his best judgement, in guesstimating where he thinks additional reinforcement will be necessary. If he makes a mistake and the frame fails as a result, any resulting injuries will put him partially to blame. There won't be too many people willing to make that commitment.

Under the law, there are two basic principals that apply to you. The first, "warranty of merchantability", applies to the fact that you bought a specific trailer to do a specific job. Your dealer and manufacturer were paid and charged to build you a product that meet both your specifications, and those of which they publish. That was a contract which they did not meet.

The second principal is one where you have to mitigate your losses. In other words, sooner, rather than later, you will have to make a decision about the disposition of the trailer, and then do so. You will not be able to let this situation continue at length without a resolution. This may mean, that you will have to sell your trailer at a substantial loss, or trade it back to the manufacturer, also at a loss, and buy a new one.

Once you have accomplished this transaction, then with your completely documented paperwork, you can establish your loss. This loss is what you and your attorney can litigate. Unfortunately, he will take 33 1/3% of your winnings, plus costs. However, if you can prove that the manufacturer deceived you, or that it acted unfairly and deliberately misrepresented facts, then punitive damages can be asked for. These can be in addition to your actual losses, if you can prove that they were in any way, harmful to you.

I think you have a dead horse, and kicking it any further will only result in a sore foot and a bad headache. I personally would not throw any more good money after bad. Find a good attorney and start over.

Best of luck   Gard

Not just alpacas ... Small Arabs, Rocky Mountain or Mountain pleasure horses, etc. are typically under 1000 pounds. Pony Clubbers ... too :)

But if you find an alpaca website or two... those folks really spend the $$$ on their critters. : )  like some other people I know.

This is not the only issues with this trailer, it is just the icing on the cake!  Some stuff I could overlook, but when it come to the safety of my family and animals it an't happening!  And I'm sure not going to put up with it when the company knew about the problem and has said nothing about it to anyone.

c.will