I joined the forums because I thought they were for product reviews [of my Morris Mule trail model trail], NOT people reviews.”,”some folks on here got IMMEDIATELY angrily/emotionally reactive to a single communication that objectively outlined limits”.
Your “product review” was written more in the form of an attack than a review. That's why people were IMMEDIATELY up in arms over your forum entry. I, for one, have had nothing but the best customer service from MMTC.
Lost Burro, as requested I will try to expand on your thoughts.....
I did not ask the right questions (my fault), and wasn't given accurate information about its capabilities where I did ask “(i.e. is the tent mounting system universal to all RTTs)
MMTC markets it as a “rack system”, not a “tent mounting system”.
...the trailer didn't meet my intended uses, which were largely camping with an RTT (for which it is very clearly marketed)...
Where? Nowhere on the MMTC website does it say the rack system is for RTT mounting.
From the MMTC website: “The standard Hi/Lo Rack allows easy and secure external cargo capacity whether it is a canoe, a load of plywood, or a college freshman’s furniture.”
Yes, people HAVE put RTT's on their MMTC trailer (I've got one in the garage right now, waiting to be installed. The issue I'm having is with the tent, not the trailer.) and there are a whooping TWO photos on the MMTC website of a single trailer with a CVT RTT installed. But that's a personal trailer and the trailer owner “modified it” for their own purpose. Two photos of one trailer with an RTT installed, and many photos of canoes and kayaks being transported and it is “clearly marketed” towards RTT's? I don't get the connection there.
...I wish I had built my own.
If you have the knowledge (welding certification) and equipment to do that, knock yourself out.
a) Clarification of your suggested timeline incongruency: I ordered and paid the trailer deposit on 4/7 with promise of pre-Memorial weekend delivery; I got the trailer on 6/5; I called the dealer on 6/5 regarding the bar interference with tent operations, then have a whole series of texts, vmails, and emails sent thereafter to the dealer who assured me I would hear directly from Morris Mule; on 7/10, I got my first attempt of contact from Morris. Thus, I waited for a month after delivery before any attempt from Morris to discuss concerns. When concerns were discussed, I had already made modifications myself, and outstanding issues were dismissed by Morris Mule.
That still doesn't explain how June 5th equates to the “middle of June”.
“b) I would argue the stabilizer bars are not actually stabilizer bars if they drop down to ONE allowable level that didn't even level the trailer on our pilot text to a nearly flat campground site; they would certainly not work for offroad/backcountry camping.
Again, from the MMTC website:
“Rear stabilizer
legs support the rear of the trailer when unhooked from the vehicle to prevent tipping and allow tire changes without the need of a jack.
Legs can be pinned in the "up" position for travel or can easily be removed.”
Where does it say these
legs are adjustable. I also drilled my own extra holes. It wasn't even an issue. (For me.)
c) Thanks for the tip on spare tire placement; I had considered using the rear hitch receiver for such and that is in fact what I asked Morris to do for us (yes, we could do that ourselves but at this point some customer service would have been welcomed).
I was joking about using the rear receiver to mount a spare. Nothing against MMTC, but, the only thing I will ever stick in the rear receiver of my Trail Grade is a BumperDumper. If you hang a bunch of weight (guessing 70#s) on that tube it's not “will” it break off, it's “when” will it break off. And, given the places I take mine, that would be my first trip with that attachment. If the tube went forward far enough to tie into the next frame crossmember, I would rethink my position on this. But that would add cost and, with all of the things that would be really cool........I might as well import a Conqueror.
That said, my intended use was to haul bikes and I would need an alternate placement for the bike rack. I proposed to Morris Mule that I would try a dual hitch receiver up front at my own expense if Morris could accommodate my request to move the spare tire to the back (most ideal) or under the cargo rack (less ideal).
So, you EXPECTED MMTC to do this for you? That is certainly the way it sounds. MMTC is one of the most accommodating companies I've ever dealt with but your request is written more like a demand. I wouldn't have been as nice to you as they were. (Years in retail tends to do that to a person.)(NO, the customer is NOT always right.)
Morris exact suggestion (copy-pasted) is:
"There is really no practical place to mount the spare tire, except on the tongue. Personally I don’t use a spare carrier but put the spare where it best fits on a particular trip. If it is suspended out over the back of the trailer it must be belayed to the trailer and opening the tailgate becomes a 5 minute ordeal.
And, they would be correct in that statement.
I'm not sure where that leaves the spare tire... inside the tub, strapped to the top of the tub?
If need be. Create solutions, not problems.
d) The rear hitch receiver is a trailer issue, not a rack issue. It is placed flush with the trailer and does not extend out enough for any hitch-mount bike rack to operate with a bike on it without using a separate hitch extender.
I would imagine it is flush so that you aren't constantly banging your shin on it.
...does not extend out enough for any hitch-mount bike rack to operate with a bike on it...
Possibly due to the fact that
it was not designed specifically with “hitch mount bike rack”s in mind.
I drive a Rubicon, I have spent years doing search and rescue as well as supporting wildfire mitigation teams running a woodchipper, I serve as a volunteer bike mechanic for a non-profit that supports underprivileged kids, and my friends and family generally consider me a relatively nice person even if people on here don't).
I don't see what bearing this has on the subject issue. But OK.
You say,
But then you go on to say,
I serve as a volunteer bike mechanic...
Which is it?
