I have a conundrum with respect to my boat mechanic of many years. This spring, he was towing my boat and trailer from the storage area to his shop (about 10 miles away) for spring servicing, as he has done yearly for many years. On this particular run, while travelling down the highway, he hit a dip in the road which caused the hitch to pop off the ball. Fortunately, the chains held and he was able to gain control and come to a stop on the side of the highway. However, in the process, the front of my trailer came forward and placed a deep 2 - 3 foot dent and scratch across the tailgate of his truck (and of course, this happens to be a brand new Sierra GMC extended cab). Anyhow, he claims that my coupler is the culprit and has asked me to split the cost of his truck repair (so half of about $1600). I had a look at the old coupler, and although it is rusty, it appears the latch and nut adjusting mechanism are intact and functioning. My gut is telling me that he popped the hitch on, latched it down and took off without checking that the adjusting nut was snug enough.
I'm thinking to myself, i'm paying a professional fellow to do a regular servicing job.... is he doing his due diligence if he hitches up to my trailer, and then doesn't check to see if the ball and hitch are adjusted properly??? I just don't know how to handle this one...
Should I just take my lumps and pay half the cost of his truck repair? Or should i tell him that it's his responsibility, as it is part of the ongoing risk he assumes in the conduct of his business?
David
I'm thinking to myself, i'm paying a professional fellow to do a regular servicing job.... is he doing his due diligence if he hitches up to my trailer, and then doesn't check to see if the ball and hitch are adjusted properly??? I just don't know how to handle this one...
Should I just take my lumps and pay half the cost of his truck repair? Or should i tell him that it's his responsibility, as it is part of the ongoing risk he assumes in the conduct of his business?
David