A friend bought a new Basscat about 6 months ago. A couple of weeks ago he took the cover off the spare and the rim didn’t match the ones on the trailer. The dealer told him his contract said he was getting a “spare” tire and they said there was nothing else they could do. They told him he could buy another matching rim. They wouldn’t contact Basscat. He contacted them and so far has gotten no response. This is unacceptable. Anyone else have this problem or know if anyone else who has? Needless to say, he’s not happy. 

This was standard among cars for many years. Your spare was a 'compact spare', smaller than the tires on the axles...designed to get you to a repair shop, not for long-term use.

 

Boat companies caught onto this since it saves them money at the front end...those smaller tires cost less.

13 minutes ago, looking45 said:

A friend bought a new Basscat about 6 months ago. A couple of weeks ago he took the cover off the spare and the rim didn’t match the ones on the trailer. The dealer told him his contract said he was getting a “spare” tire and they said there was nothing else they could do. They told him he could buy another matching rim. They wouldn’t contact Basscat. He contacted them and so far has gotten no response. This is unacceptable. Anyone else have this problem or know if anyone else who has? Needless to say, he’s not happy. 

At the cost of a new bass boat, you would expect a matching spare rim and tire.  The dealer should order a matching rim and tire for the customer, if for no other reason than to keep the customer happy. At the very least, the dealer should compromise  and order a matching rim (at no cost to the customer), and the customer could provide the tire. But my first move would be to contact Basscat to see if the trailer should have come with a matching spare, and if not, see if they will at least provide a discount on one that matches. And, it is possible that the dealer is unethical, and swapped out the matching spare and replaced it with a cheap generic one. That would give them a nice tire and rim to sell....I am not saying this is what happened, but it COULD happen. Not all dealer are ethical and honest.

When you say that he contacted Bass Cat, did he email them or call? I know that email is easier, but in this case I would have called. 

After a year, the master cylinder on my ChampioN's trailer went out. I don't remember who the trailer manufacturer was, but after a call to ChampioN and to the trailer manufacturer, I had a new master cylinder enroute at cost. 

Email is great, sometimes an old fashioned phone call will get a person further along. By the way, I agree with everyone, at the cost of these new rigs, a matching spare wheel and tire should be standard.

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

This was standard among cars for many years. Your spare was a 'compact spare', smaller than the tires on the axles...designed to get you to a repair shop, not for long-term use.

 

Boat companies caught onto this since it saves them money at the front end...those smaller tires cost less.

Sounds like the tire is full size but the wheel is ugly.

 

Looking at their website all the photos appear to show a matching spare wheel and I don't see an "option" that would have to be added on to provide a matching wheel. Seems like a legitimate complaint.

 

https://basscat.com/bass-cat-models/bcb-trailers/

It pays to inspect thoroughly before leaving the dealership !!   Never ever fall for the "bring it back and we will fix it later"....unless you deduct that from the cost, then you can pay it in full when fixed properly !!

Consumers need to get smart and use the same tactics the dealers do...and not be afraid to walk away!!

Some boats aren't coming with a spare tire at all.  It's an add on that you have to pay for.  I believe @Bird just bought a boat this spring and it didn't come with any spare tire so he had to buy one himself.  Seems ridiculous that you spend thousands of dollars on a new boat and they won't even add a spare anymore.

 

The Ranger I bought in 2015 came with an exact matching spare and it was not an additional add on charge.  But that's 8 years ago now.

5 hours ago, gimruis said:

Some boats aren't coming with a spare tire at all.  It's an add on that you have to pay for.  I believe @Bird just bought a boat this spring and it didn't come with any spare tire so he had to buy one himself.  Seems ridiculous that you spend thousands of dollars on a new boat and they won't even add a spare anymore.

 

The Ranger I bought in 2015 came with an exact matching spare and it was not an additional add on charge.  But that's 8 years ago now.

Yes, bought a 2023 Lowe Stinger 175 few months ago that did not come with a spare, it was optional.

This was a single axle trailer.

 

My 2020 Lowe Stinger 175 came with a matching spare. 

@looking45 Have your friend call Basscat. From what I've heard they have pretty good customer service and should get things straightened out. They also might like to have the dealer information since they're unwilling to do anything. 

On 5/8/2023 at 8:40 AM, WIGuide said:

@looking45 Have your friend call Basscat. From what I've heard they have pretty good customer service and should get things straightened out. They also might like to have the dealer information since they're unwilling to do anything. 

I talked to him again. He accepted the owner’s answer of there was

nothing that could be done, so he ordered a matching rim for $250. The owner said he will take care of him and mount/balance it for free. I can’t 

believe my friend doesn’t want to pursue this issue. He got mad when I told him when he picks up the new rim, don’t forget to ask for the jar of vaseline

20 minutes ago, looking45 said:

I talked to him again. He accepted the owner’s answer of there was

nothing that could be done, so he ordered a matching rim for $250. The owner said he will take care of him and mount/balance it for free. I can’t 

believe my friend doesn’t want to pursue this issue. He got mad when I told him when he picks up the new rim, don’t forget to ask for the jar of vaseline

Yikes, you might want to go by it for him so he doesn't forget to take it. Pretty sure one call would have gotten this all straightened out, or at least got a steep discount on the rim. 

2 hours ago, WIGuide said:

Yikes, you might want to go by it for him so he doesn't forget to take it. Pretty sure one call would have gotten this all straightened out, or at least got a steep discount on the rim. 

I offered advice, his choice not to take it. I’m not going to bring the subject up to him again.