I contacted the nearest U-Haul in October to see about having a tow hitch and wiring installed on my SUV. I did so because U-Haul had a reputation of providing adequate service and product to my family. So, we arranged an appointment in a couple of weeks. The final bill for the hitch and wiring harness was almost $300.
When I first used the hitch in almost a month later, the installed harness shorted out my SUV's electrical system. I did manage to tow something but at the cost of my fog, emergency, and brake lights and turn signals, as well as many of the other normal operating abilities due to this U-Haul store's inability to properly install wiring, especially since they charged so much for the effort.
In an attempt to fix my SUV, I went to the local and only auto store and replaced numerous mini-fuses for all the electrical components that I discovered were burned out. Please note I have never had a fuse burn out in this vehicle prior to having that wiring installed and that wiring is the first of any sort of electrical wiring "package" that has been installed on this SUV. Even though I attempted to switch out the fuses it is hard to do when it is snowing, icy and there isn't any garage or structure where one can park under to do so. Hard to kneel beside one's car on an inclined icy parking lot! So, I had to take the SUV to a nearby dealer, a good 100 miles away, as they were the closest. Living in NE Washington, there aren't too many nearby dealerships.
The technicians at this dealer completed an examination and some sort of diagnostically test of the wiring kit (the after-market kit) they labeled it as and told me, when I was allowed to see the problem. They noted that several spots of the right turn signal wiring; on the after-market kit had grounded. Apparently the wire had been pushed into one of the cutouts on my chassis and in doing so the U-Haul installer had stripped the plastic covering from the single strand wire and it had grounded and shorted out on the metal chassis.
The technicians had also replaced numerous fuses, ones, which I had also recently replaced, which the harness kept shorting out due to its inproper installation.
The techs indicated that these were shorts they had found and that future shorts may well be expected. I almost concluded then and there that removal of the U-Haul wiring kit and installation of a factory kit might be the only way to fix this.
When I saw it, I couldn't believe how much the U-Haul invoice had listed for the wiring harness - $40, and the labor - $40. Much too much for ineffective wiring.
So after paying approximately $92 to have the SUV fixed by the dealer, I opted to call U-Haul to express my disatisfaction. They told me that U-Haul had an insurance company to handle claims. I asked for one and eventually filed a claim.
A few weeks ago the claim returned to me unapproved. The adjuster mentioned that since this U-Haul, the only one within 80 miles of me, was not an "actual" U-Haul store, but only a "representative dealer" of U-Haul, that they wouldn't pay the claim. This from a Californian insurance compnay. What does a Calif.ins Co., know about the rest of the nation? Not much! I know, I used to live in CA and know their mindset.
So beware consumers. I don't know how you will do it, but next time you visit any U-Haul Co store, ask them if they are a true U-Haul store or just a representative dealer. Even if they have the trucks and trailers in front of their store, they may just be a "representative dealer". Or, when they screw up, and from what I've read on the rip-off pages, and they will, ensure you document everything, from pictures of the event, the installations (if you let them do it), everything. Or you may be like like those of us who trusted U-Haul and also get screwed!
As for me, "U-Haul" is no longer in my vocabulary - they'll no longer see me at their counters.
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