Warranty Work on 2022 Utility Dry Van Vs Others

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Siinman, Mar 3, 2023.

  1. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    You are better off installing strip lights you get off of eBay than have to depend on those "factory" lights.
     
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  3. Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    I believe you are correct on this. I honestly thought the same thing when I found out how much had to go into fixing the lights. I could replace them every year for the next 5 years and be cheaper. I don't understand why they are done so badly for the prices. Had a guy that bought a new trailer a few weeks ago that parks next to me ask if he could look at my lights. Said they wanted to charge him I think 4K to do the lights when building the trailer. He was just gonna do it himself and was taking measurements off mine.
     
  4. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    I have two 2017 GD reefers a year apart, one early one late. They were both out of dealer stock, so nothing too special on them. Seems they had a one year warranty I never explored.

    The early one (Oct 2016) has 5 clearance lights on the sides, and I've been into the left side lower harness a couple times. Mainly faulty splices, one time corrosion had run down a wire and I pulled a new one. Also had to chase a problem on the left upper corner that was a splice down by the electric receptacle. Seems they over-estimated how good their conduit keeps out salt spray. Heat shrink splices I used have never needed further service. The late one (Oct 2017) has 3 clearance lights and never had a problem with it.

    That might suggest that the 3 clearance light harness is standard, then they splice extras in when spec'd. I don't remember enough of what I fixed to say for sure that's the case.

    I have a love/hate relationship with Hendrickson TireMaxx Pro. It's great when it works, until it doesn't. I have the calibration tool, and have replaced various parts. Control box pressure regulator fail at about the 3-4 year old mark, times two at around $500 each off eBay. Also upgraded to stainless tire hoses for not a lot of money. Just always something going on with that system. The early trailer I'm hauling lately, I had to disable it as I'm 90% sure one or more hoses inside the axle tubes is leaking. Already did the hubcaps two years ago, that helped but it never was at 100% in my opinion. Next time the hubcaps come off I'm gonna bite the bullet and fish new hoses in at the same time, if I get around to it before I sell these. I'm actually kind of regretting ordering my new trailers with it. A set of cat's eyes was less hassle and required a lot less service.

    The Great Dane dealer in Atlanta (Forest Park actually, they moved about 6 years ago) has an excellent service department with gold plated rates. Typical dealer ETA quotes of "we can get to it in 2-3 weeks" usually steered me to just fixing things myself, even if it might be a warranty job. They just aren't in the world of time, because their big customers bread & butter don't care either. Parts counter is usually on point, just inconvenient due to being on the other end of ATL rush hour most times.
     
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  5. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    My fleet buys new utilities and Dane reefers and the Danes are much better built than the utility's...we've had utility's with wiring issues right from the factory.
     
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  6. Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    That is great information. I wonder if you are right on how they splice into the harness. This would make a lot of sense on bad wiring problems. If they would do it right I believe it would be a very good system and not have any issues for at least 3-5 years min. It might be easier to order standard lighting and then add my own wiring in and LEDs after words so I know it is done right. Could prob figure out a way to run it on a toggle switch too so it does not interact with the normal Electrical lines.

    I also have the TireMaxx Pro system on my trailer and have never had a problem with them. The tailer I rented before this one I had never had any issues either. Might be an issue with the older systems maybe?

    Also for the record my trailer was built out of Arkansas
     
  7. Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    Where was the wiring issues at?
     
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  8. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    Everyone I have encountered has been the plug box on the nose of the trailer....our utility's come from the dealer in omaha and they have been handling it.
     
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  9. Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    That one went out as well on my trailer. Thanks for the information.
     
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  10. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    Anytime.
     
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  11. wichris

    wichris Road Train Member

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    GD harness is just a single male plug with a double female in whatever length is needed between the lights. Just check at the front where it goes into
    the channel and at each light to make sure it's sealed with silicone. If not, moisture will get in. Adding lights afterwards is just asking for problems unless
    you pull new sections between lights.

    Never have had any problems with the Hendrickson PSI systems on either trailer. Meritor, ehh. T's leak, always a little pressure in the hub.
    Both should have a water filter before the regulator, just drain it every time you grease it.
     
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