Safe T Plus Trim Kit Voids Safe T Plus Wty???

[RickO]

On several posts regarding steering stableizers lately, members hare reported that the folks at Safe T Plus have told them that they do not authorize use of the trim kit (from Henderson's Line Up) and installing it will void their Safe T Plus warranty.

I've been a big fan of Henderson's and of Safe T Plus and plan to install the trim kit on the STP I've had on my coach for three years now so wanted to investigate.

I sent Henderson's an email requesting an explanation and, although it took >a week to get a response, I spoke with the owner, Robert Henderson this morning about this.

Robert explained that STP had indicated that they needed to test the trim kit but never did and that this is the first he had heard of the STP support folks telling people their warranty would be voided. He indicated that he would be calling his contacts at STP to try and work this out but for the record he wasn't aware of a single case where the trim kit had damaged a STP device.

If I hear more I'll report back but I hope this helps shed at least a little light on the issue.

Rick

[mikron]

I had posted that Safe-T-plus would not warrenty there product with a trim kit. I had talked to STP and they told me that and said they didn't undersand why there would be a need to adjustment the STP.

I am asking, if anyone has a trim kit and why would you need it. I just bought an STP and will be installing it on my coach.

[RickO]

My STP helped a great deal but often times cross winds or crowned roads make me wish I could push a button on the fly and use the STP to help correct for those two conditions.

Rick

[RickO]

I spoke again with Robert Henderson of Henderson's Line Up this morning and he had closed the loop with Safe T Plus folks. Here is an email I received from David Halls at Safe T Plus:

Good Morning Rick,

You’ve illuminated an issue quite well about information being passed about the net, within several forums, concerning perceptions of both the STP units and Henderson’s Trim Kit.

Robert from Henderson’s Line-up has gotten me involved here, to join in the conversation, and perhaps help a bit.

As you know, many of the forum threads have been around for a long time. I’ve visited RV.net, IRV2, the occasional other, early on when I joined the company to see what was out there; particularly about our product, the Safe-T-Plus Steering Control. I can tell you that I reviewed, categorized, and printed out over 200 of them to share with the folks here.

A great many of them are favorable, blow out stories; lives saved, that sort. I’ve seen detailed stories, with pics, about pain in the axel installation woes; final adjustment can’t do it confessionals, “Love ‘em”, “Hate ‘em”, mix ‘em with this to do that or the other for your ride. Then there are the guys who just plain like somebody else’s products.

For me, it provided a great research opportunity, but as you probably also know, as Manufacturers / Distributors we’re excluded from playing in the forums. I’m quite pleased, however that in nearly every thread, there are those who remain our defenders, satisfied customers who are willingly sharing their opinions with others.

That’s my background, now to the point. For at least three years now, I’ve been the customer support go to guy, authoring the company line on most aspects of what works, what doesn’t, installation fixes, final adjustment can do’s and the like. While the description phrase “not authorized” “voids warranty” is included in your letter to the Hendersons, and in many of the forum threads, I’ve never uttered them, nor is it policy here.

Warranty is a function of manufacture, the policy here is quite liberal on that point. If it doesn’t work the way we built it, we’ll replace it. 2 years is the norm, but I’ve seen 8 year olds come through here that the company has taken a position on.

The Trim Unit
My take on the trim unit is a rational assessment of your trip profile. If you’re trying to make 800 miles a day and live on I-40 where the wind is never on your nose. Cranking in 30 degrees of steering to hold against the wind can be a major pain. Add to that 230 # of preload in the STP unit and it will plain wear you out. Robert pointed out that 800 miles of Coastal California ocean breeze is the same as living in Texas, Nebraska, and Kansas too.

I see the Trim Unit as a real boon to Commercial Trucking ( you knew that was a major focus of our company too ), and the folks driving Coaches that live in the spaces mentioned above. I will tell you that I joke a little about driving under a bridge, or behind a row of trees after having set your trim. It usually broadens the scope for the guy who might become complacent seeing only singular problems needing resolution. Most full timers have more options in their travels than the guy trying to make a living getting from place to place.

A lot of guys calling me are talking about corrections for road crown, and sporadic winds, I see less value in these circumstances, as the weight of your hand will usually take care of what is really a temporary condition. It’s probably one less thing they need to be doing at 70 mph. For those who just can’t get the final adjustments right, we’ve a couple of tricks to share that solve for that last “little bit”.

The balance of your comments are unfounded in the relationship between the Hendersons and us, were petty assumptions, and bordered on the offensive. As rumors are easily turned into truisms through discourse, threads, forums, and the like; I would hope you would do us the honor of putting an end to such things.

For the most part, we like the discussions that are out there, pros and con, that’s the vibrancy of the forums. I, for one, help solve problems for any one willing to place the call. For those who share their talents, and opinions amongst their peers, the rest of us can only watch.

Hope this helps, even just a little. Our thanks to you for bringing the point home. We’re working with the new technologies, Web Sites, and our level of customer service to spread our message about as well. Little by little, I’m confident things will improve.

Dave Halls
USA Inc


2544 Lantrac Court
Decatur, Georgia 30035

(800) 872-7233
(770) 322-8727

DHalls@safe-t-plus.com
www.safe-t-plus.com

*******************************


So the way I read it, STP just feels that the trim kit should be unnecessary it their unit is properly adjusted and doesn't feel that the ability to adjust on the fly is important.... but they will certainly NOT void any warranties because of its use.

Rick

[Korryp]

His letter seems to answer all questions.....

[Waterdog4315]

I have just read Dave Hall's response to the question of the STP's warranty being voided if installed with a trim adjuster and disagree with a prior responder. Mr. Hall did not clearly state a position regarding the question as I read his response. Waterdog

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Waterdog4315

I have just read Dave Hall's response to the question of the STP's warranty being voided if installed with a trim adjuster and disagree with a prior responder. Mr. Hall did not clearly state a position regarding the question as I read his response. Waterdog

You're probably right that he didn't clearly state that they would never void a warranty but he did say " While the description phrase “not authorized” “voids warranty” is included in your letter to the Hendersons, and in many of the forum threads, I’ve never uttered them, nor is it policy here."

I think Gary also pointed out earlier that it's illegal for them to void a warranty simply because an after market device had not been tested. My read is that Dave Hall was just allowing some wriggle room since they haven't tested the trim kit... not to mention the fact that endorsing it might be viewed as contributing to a perception that their product doesn't provide a complete solution.

Rick

[Rocky Larson]

"For those who just can’t get the final adjustments right, we’ve a couple of tricks to share that solve for that last “little bit”."

I have mine pretty close but have given up on trying to get it right on. I would like to read more about the couple of tricks.
Thanks.

[RickO]

Just an update:

The following quote from me motivated Mr Hall to send me a second email.

Originally Posted by RickO

My read is that Dave Hall was just allowing some wriggle room since they haven't tested the trim kit... not to mention the fact that endorsing it might be viewed as contributing to a perception that their product doesn't provide a complete solution.

Rick

Here is his email dated yesterday:

From: David Halls [mailto:dhalls@safe-t-plus.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 10:15 AM
To:Subject: Just a side note.. Dave
Hi Rick,

Thought I'd check in to see if there was any resolution, only to see the forum all a flurry still. Your posts have generated several direct questions via E-mail here over the last several days. Hope I've been appropriately responsive.

Just prior to my arrival United Safety Apparatus (that's our company) offered several outsourced items. Bilstein shocks, IPD sway bars, a couple of versions of track bar systems. The company discontinued those marketing efforts, focusing on our primary product, and sold off most of the inventory to other distributors, Henderson's being just one of them.

We have at least two different versions of the trim unit here, as it was offered to us, as well as others, by the inventor. We get opportunities to review new stuff all the time, as you might expect. Tiger Trak went on to someone else; have you seen the new Stealth Steering Control out of Texas? The simple explanation is that we passed on it, and others, Henderson's picked it up, and I might say, improved upon it immensely from its prior form and function.

Safe-T-Plus remains our primary focus, in both the Commercial Trucking and RV Industries.

I rarely wiggle Rick, and continue to discourage your assumptions on my behalf.

Dave


**********************

I think Gary also pointed out earlier that it's illegal for them to void a warranty simply because an after market device had not been tested. My read is that Dave Hall was just allowing some wriggle room since they haven't tested the trim kit... not to mention the fact that endorsing it might be viewed as contributing to a perception that their product doesn't provide a complete solution.
Rick
*********************end of Mr Hall's email***************

Here is my response dated today:

Hi David and thanks for the follow up and background history. Yes, there are still a few posts on the topic but for the most part I think your response has settled the issue.
My comment regarding "wriggle room" was in response to a post which felt that you had not answered the basic question of the trim kit voiding the ST+ Warranty. I shared my personal point of view that, rather than make a statement that ST+ would never void a warranty due to the trim kit, you stated that it was not the policy of your company to do so. I was certainly happy with your response but there was at least one member who wasn't.
I meant no disrespect and was merely attempting to share my personal opinion of the situation... which frankly I didn't feel was a situation at all. In the future, I will ensure that any comments I make regarding your products or company are more clearly articulated as my own personal beliefs so they can never be construed as me "making assumptions on your behalf".
Rick

********************end of email response*******************

I'll only make two comments at this point... this thread now contains ALL of the correspondence between David Hall and myself... word for word so members will not have to rely on my interpretations or assumptions... and, I have tried to be very clear when commenting here that I'm sharing "my read" and opinions and in no way ever intended to speaking for Mr Hall or in any way putting words in his mouth.

Rick

[Midniteoyl]

Good job Rick... And thanks to Mr. Hall for the responses.

now, where's this new 'Stealth Steering Control' spoken of?