Crestliner 2050 sportfish Safety issues

I own a Crestliner 2050 Sportfish, 2004 model. It came with a single axle trailer. I didn't double check the trailer, I trusted Crestliner and the Dealer, PAMP'S in Green Bay.

I had an accident with it last week and found that the trailer is grossly undersized for the boat. The rims are rated at 1800# each and the trailer is titled at 3700 lbs? But when I weighed the rig after the accident it weighs in at 4,000 lbs with less than a half a tank of fuel.

So ANYONE owning this rig, PLEASE get it weighed!!!! My insurance has been canceled because of the under capacity of the CRESTLINER (EAGLE) trailer.

[Captains Chair]

First, sorry about your accident and hope everyone is OK.

Now, this is not a CRESTLINER issue this is a dealer issue and a customer issue.

1. The dealer sold you a boat and put a trailer under the boat that was not appropriate for that combination.

2. You have the responsibility to research your purchase and make sure that the correct trailer is used for the size of boat you are getting.

There have been many threads on here about dealers putting under sized trailers on a package to either increase their profit margin, or to make the price of the boat more appealing.
It is to bad this practice happened(s) but it is up to the consumer to be aware of what they are buying. Most times this is that last thing checked as most are more interested in the so called goodies (finder, stereo, etc..)

Again, sorry about your situation, but put the blame where it belongs.

Chair

[Shellback]

I'd bet 70% of the boat packages sold today are equipped with a trailer not adequate for the weight. Weight adds up in a hurry when outfitting a boat. If you were just 300# overweight, you are probably one of the lucky ones. I'd bet some folks are 1000#s over. You mentioned your insurance being cancelled. I would hope it covered your accident and then was cancelled. 300#s over is less than 10%, I think they should have some leeway with that little overweight.

Originally Posted by Captains Chair

First, sorry about your accident and hope everyone is OK.

Now, this is not a CRESTLINER issue this is a dealer issue and a customer issue.

1. The dealer sold you a boat and put a trailer under the boat that was not appropriate for that combination.

2. You have the responsibility to research your purchase and make sure that the correct trailer is used for the size of boat you are getting.

There have been many threads on here about dealers putting under sized trailers on a package to either increase their profit margin, or to make the price of the boat more appealing.
It is to bad this practice happened(s) but it is up to the consumer to be aware of what they are buying. Most times this is that last thing checked as most are more interested in the so called goodies (finder, stereo, etc..)

Again, sorry about your situation, but put the blame where it belongs.

Chair

This a CRESTLINER Trailer and a CRESTLINER boat. Stealer says she sold the package as it came from CRESTLINER. Hard to weigh a boat and trailer in showroom. I am sure there are others out here with the same boat and trailer that CRESTLINER sold as a unit. WEIGH it before the accident!!!!

This poster in my opinion has some very valid issues.

It would appear that some replying here some are too quick to blame the dealer or customer. The boating industry is still years behind the auto industry in customer service and taking care of MFG.'s responsibilities. The sad thing is? The auto industry isn't even that great.

I for one would like to see madatory testing of flotation foam, testing regarding actual boat weights and trailer weight ratings and plus trailer braking systems. Boats lacking in adequate flotation foam are still knowingly being turned out and that should be criminal.

If these issues were tested, I suspect more than one manufacturer would be in very deep doo doo.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Hate to disagree with you joeq, but Crestliner doesn't sell rigs to the public, it's dealer do. And, the dealers have the responsibility to PROPERLY order the package based on the needs. Go ahead and Google 2004 2050 Sportfish, you'll see plenty of rigs on tandem-axle trailers. The base hull weighs 1630lbs, add 500 for an OB, and you're well within the single-axle trailers capacity.
Now, add 54 gallons of fuel, a kicker, TM, coolers, etc, and no doubt, you can exceed the capacity of the trailer.

Not sure why you're willing to let the dealer off the hook on this one. Your lawyer should request the 2004 Crestliner dealer ordering guide, you'll see they had different trailer options available to them. Heck, back in 2004, they might have ordered a bare hull (only) from Crestliner, and ordered the trailer (with a couple of stickers) from someone else.

SOMEBODY made a conscious decision to save 500 bucks, so they could sell a rig for less $$$ than the guy down the street.

HRG

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

Hate to disagree with you joeq, but Crestliner doesn't sell rigs to the public, it's dealer do. And, the dealers have the responsibility to PROPERLY order the package based on the needs. Go ahead and Google 2004 2050 Sportfish, you'll see plenty of rigs on tandem-axle trailers. The base hull weighs 1630lbs, add 500 for an OB, and you're well within the single-axle trailers capacity.
Now, add 54 gallons of fuel, a kicker, TM, coolers, etc, and no doubt, you can exceed the capacity of the trailer.

Not sure why you're willing to let the dealer off the hook on this one. Your lawyer should request the 2004 Crestliner dealer ordering guide, you'll see they had different trailer options available to them. Heck, back in 2004, they might have ordered a bare hull (only) from Crestliner, and ordered the trailer (with a couple of stickers) from someone else.

SOMEBODY made a conscious decision to save 500 bucks, so they could sell a rig for less $$$ than the guy down the street.

HRG

Well PAMPS in Green Bay is being like teflon, taking NO responsibility saying that CRESTLINER is the bad guy here. I guess I will order the proper trailer from LOADMASTER. They at least seem very honest, not like PAMP'S in Green Bay.

But the whole point of posting is to suggest that everyone weigh their rigs after rigging to be sure they fall under GVWR. It's a small preventive measure that I learned the hard way. And, never expect a dealer like PAMP's to stand behind their rigs and CRESTLINER to "research" it and lose my number.

Just be safe guys, I share the same roads and my next trailer WILL be properly sized.

Yes their is a product liability attorney taking this case on July 23rd and will also be in contact with DOT. The legwork has been started. I am not looking for $$, just a trailer that fits the boat.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by joeq@new.rr.com

Yes their is a product liability attorney taking this case on July 23rd and will also be in contact with DOT. The legwork has been started. I am not looking for $$, just a trailer that fits the boat.

Probably not surprising that Pamp's isn't a Crestliner dealer anymore. Are you the original purchaser? If so, was there a receipt with whatever equipement was on the rig as-delivered, so as to prove the trailer was under-capacity from the very beginning?

Keep us posted, I'm curious how this turns out.

And, on behalf of those sharing the road with you, thanks for upgrading your trailer.

HRG

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

Probably not surprising that Pamp's isn't a Crestliner dealer anymore. Are you the original purchaser? If so, was there a receipt with whatever equipement was on the rig as-delivered, so as to prove the trailer was under-capacity from the very beginning?

Keep us posted, I'm curious how this turns out.

And, on behalf of those sharing the road with you, thanks for upgrading your trailer.

HRG

Yes I am the original owner and yes I have all the paperwork. I really hate to go the legal way. Why can't everyone just own up to a mistake and work out a fair deal? Only PAMP'S owner can justify that. What about all the RANGER boats they sell. Are they under supported as well?

Ken's Sports (current CRESTLINER dealer) made calls for me and did what they could. By the way, they have a 19' CRESTLINER, smaller model than mine on the floor. Guess what, they have TWO of my axles under it!!!