Great Lakes Truck Cap & Hitch, LLC d/b/a A Better Truck Cap & Hitch

Parma and Painesville, Ohio  |  Last Updated: August 2026

We sell and install truck caps, tonneau covers, hitches, racks, wiring, steps, storage systems, and other truck and vehicle accessories. Most installations are straightforward. Some are not. Vehicles age, bolts rust, factory designs change, aftermarket parts vary, and some installations require us to remove or relocate existing components to do the work correctly.

This policy explains what we warrant, what manufacturers warrant, what we need from the customer, and where normal limits exist. It is meant to be practical and fair. It does not replace the customer’s estimate, work order, invoice, manufacturer warranty, or any rights that cannot legally be waived.

1. Our One-Year Installation Workmanship Warranty

Unless a different written term is stated on the customer’s work order or invoice, A Better Truck Cap & Hitch warrants our basic installation workmanship for one year from the original installation date.

If an installation problem during that period is caused by our workmanship, our normal remedy is to inspect the installation and, when covered, correct the workmanship without charging the customer for the covered labor.

This is a workmanship warranty. It does not make us the manufacturer of the product and does not replace or expand a manufacturer’s product warranty.

Unless we agree otherwise in writing, the workmanship warranty applies to the original installation on the vehicle identified on the original work order. Removal, transfer, reinstallation, modification, repair, or alteration by someone else may affect coverage to the extent that it causes or contributes to the problem.

2. Manufacturer Warranties

Many products we sell come with a separate manufacturer warranty. Those warranties are provided by the manufacturer and are governed by the manufacturer’s own terms, limitations, claim procedures, and remedies. Manufacturer warranties may be limited to the original purchaser, original vehicle, original equipment, or original installation, and may be affected by removal, transfer, modification, or reinstallation, depending on the manufacturer’s warranty terms.

We will reasonably assist a customer with a manufacturer warranty issue when we can. Unless the manufacturer pays those costs or we agree otherwise in writing, however, a manufacturer warranty does not automatically cover our labor to diagnose, remove, ship, reinstall, reassemble, dispose of, or replace a product or component.

Any freight, disposal, diagnostic, removal, reinstallation, calibration, programming, or similar cost associated with a manufacturer warranty claim may therefore be the customer’s responsibility unless covered by the manufacturer or otherwise required by law.

3. Vehicles More Than Ten Years Old; Rust and Corrosion

Vehicles that are more than ten years old may require an inspection before we agree to perform work involving existing bolts, fasteners, mounting points, frames, bodies, beds, bumpers, hitches, electrical connections, or other components that may have deteriorated with age.

Rust and corrosion are common on older vehicles, particularly in Ohio. A bolt, stud, clip, bracket, connector, weld nut, mounting point, or other existing component may look usable but break, strip, seize, crumble, or otherwise fail when we reasonably attempt to loosen, remove, tighten, or reuse it.

Where we identify a material concern before work begins, we may require additional inspection, rust remediation, replacement hardware, a revised estimate, or customer authorization before proceeding. We may also decline the work if we do not believe it can be performed reasonably or safely.

We are not responsible for the failure of a pre-existing component that is already rusted, corroded, weakened, damaged, seized, modified, or otherwise compromised when that failure occurs despite reasonable care. If additional labor, parts, extraction, drilling, repair, fabrication, or replacement becomes necessary, we will obtain any additional authorization required by the customer’s work order and applicable law before charging for that additional work.

4. Existing Equipment, Removal and Disposal

Unless removal is specifically included in our written quote or work order, the customer is responsible for removing existing aftermarket equipment that interferes with the requested installation before the vehicle is brought to us.

If existing equipment must be removed, disassembled, cut, drilled, disconnected, relocated, or otherwise dealt with before installation can proceed, we may decline the job, stop the job, or quote additional labor and materials.

Removed equipment remains the customer’s responsibility unless we agree to dispose of it. Disposal, recycling, handling, or storage charges may apply. The customer may be required to take removed equipment at completion of the job. Different rules may apply to parts that must be returned to a manufacturer or supplier as part of a warranty or core-return process.

5. Disassembly, Trim, Heat Shields, Bumpers and Factory Components

Accessory installation sometimes requires reasonable disassembly of the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle and product, this may include removal, loosening, trimming, drilling, cutting, repositioning, or reinstallation of items such as heat shields, bumper fascia, splash shields, bed liners, trim panels, factory brackets, spare-tire components, electrical connectors, wiring, or other factory equipment.

We will perform only the work reasonably associated with the authorized installation. When an installation requires an unusual or material modification that is not reasonably apparent from the original job, we may stop and obtain additional authorization before proceeding.

6. Sensors, Cameras and Driver-Assistance Systems

Newer vehicles may contain parking sensors, blind-spot sensors, cameras, radar units, antennas, hands-free tailgate sensors, trailer modules, driver-assistance equipment, or other electronic components in or near the area where an accessory must be installed.

An aftermarket accessory may require a sensor or component to be relocated, repositioned, disconnected, reconnected, exposed differently, or operated in a location different from its original factory position. Even when the relocation is performed carefully and according to available instructions, we cannot guarantee that every factory sensor or driver-assistance feature will perform exactly as it did in its original location.

Some vehicles may require calibration, programming, initialization, diagnosis, or dealer/manufacturer service after an aftermarket installation. Unless specifically included in our work order, those services and costs are the customer’s responsibility. We reserve the right to decline an installation where we believe a required modification would create an unreasonable safety or operational concern.

7. Customer Responsibilities: Product Selection and Proper Use

The customer is responsible for giving us accurate information about the vehicle, including year, make, model, trim, cab and bed configuration, factory options, existing modifications, and any known damage or condition that may affect fitment or installation.

The customer is also responsible for telling us how the product is intended to be used. Product selection matters. A hitch, rack, carrier, cap, cover, step, suspension component, storage system, or other accessory may be suitable for one use and not another.

Once installed, the customer is responsible for understanding and following the manufacturer’s instructions, warnings, maintenance requirements, load limits, inspection intervals, and proper use of the product. The customer is responsible for properly loading and securing cargo and for confirming that the vehicle and all components are suitable for the intended load and use.

Installing an aftermarket accessory does not increase the vehicle manufacturer’s payload, towing, axle, tongue-weight, roof-load, bed-load, gross vehicle weight, or other rated capacity. The lowest applicable rating should always be considered to be the max rating among the vehicle, hitch, rack, carrier, ball mount, coupler, fasteners, cap, roof system, or other component controls.

8. Customer-Supplied Parts

We may agree, in our discretion, to install a part supplied by the customer. We are not required to install customer-supplied parts and may decline a part that appears incorrect, incomplete, used, damaged, unsafe, incompatible, counterfeit, substantially modified, or unsuitable for the vehicle or requested use.

Before bringing a customer-supplied part to us, the customer is responsible for confirming that it is the correct part for the vehicle and intended use and that the package includes all required brackets, hardware, wiring, modules, instructions, templates, fasteners, keys, seals, adapters, and other components needed for installation.

If a customer-supplied kit is incomplete or incorrect, we may stop the installation. Additional labor for inspection, disassembly, reassembly, troubleshooting, sourcing missing hardware, or a later return visit may be charged if authorized.

We do not warrant the quality, design, fitment, condition, completeness, or performance of a customer-supplied product. Our one-year workmanship warranty applies only to the installation work we actually perform and does not cover failure caused by the customer-supplied part itself, incorrect manufacturer information, missing components, or a defect in that part.

9. Electrical Installations, Corrosion and Maintenance

Trailer wiring, connectors, plugs, modules, lights, harnesses, switches, and other electrical accessories operate in a difficult environment. Moisture, road salt, dirt, vibration, impacts, oxidation, corrosion, battery condition, vehicle electrical faults, and ordinary wear can affect electrical connections and components over time.

Our one-year workmanship warranty applies to defects in the electrical installation work we perform. Routine maintenance, cleaning, corrosion prevention, connector care, diagnosis after the workmanship period, and replacement of worn or corroded electrical parts are normally the customer’s responsibility unless covered by a manufacturer warranty or a separate written protection plan.

Optional Three-Year Electrical Installation Coverage (Trailer Hitch Electrical)

Where offered, qualifying trailer hitch electrical installations may be eligible for optional three-year electrical installation coverage for an additional $15 when purchased at the time of installation. The coverage is effective only when it is separately shown on the customer’s work order or invoice. Any separate written terms provided with that coverage control.

Unless the separate written terms state otherwise, the optional coverage is intended to extend coverage for defects in our electrical installation workmanship; it does not make ordinary corrosion automatically covered such nor does abuse, collision damage, water intrusion, vehicle electrical problems, customer modifications, routine maintenance, or product failure.

10. Caps, Tonneau Covers and Water Intrusion

Truck caps, tonneau covers, seals, tailgates, bed systems, and related accessories are not inherently waterproof or watertight unless a manufacturer expressly warrants a particular product that way. Water can enter a truck bed or cap through factory body seams, stake pockets, tailgates, bed rails, drains, seals, openings, pressure washing, wind-driven rain, snow, condensation, or other paths that are not necessarily caused by an installation defect.

We will make a reasonable installation consistent with the product and vehicle, but we do not promise a completely dry or watertight bed or enclosure unless that promise is expressly stated in writing for the particular product and installation.

Seals, weatherstripping, clamps, drains, hinges, latches, fasteners, coatings, paint, finishes, fabric, vinyl, plastics, and other materials weather and wear over time. The customer is responsible for normal cleaning, adjustment, lubrication, tightening, seal care, drain maintenance, finish care, corrosion prevention, and other maintenance recommended by the manufacturer.

11. Inspection, Re-Torque and Ongoing Maintenance

Aftermarket equipment should be inspected periodically and after unusual use, impacts, severe weather, off-road use, heavy loading, long trips, or any event that could loosen or damage a mounting point or component.

The customer should promptly stop using any product that becomes loose, shifts, leaks excessively, makes unusual noise, shows damaged or missing hardware, develops an electrical problem, or otherwise appears unsafe or not to be functioning as intended.

Where a manufacturer calls for re-torque, adjustment, inspection, lubrication, seal treatment, or other scheduled maintenance, that maintenance is the customer’s responsibility unless we expressly agree in writing to provide it.

12. What Our Workmanship Warranty Does Not Cover

Unless required by law or separately agreed in writing, our workmanship warranty does not cover problems caused by:

·   a defect, failure, design issue, recall, or limitation in the product itself;

·   normal wear, weathering, fading, corrosion, rust, oxidation, deterioration, or lack of maintenance;

·   water intrusion that is not caused by our installation workmanship;

·   accident, collision, road hazard, theft, vandalism, misuse, abuse, overloading, off-road damage, or improper cargo securement;

·   failure to follow manufacturer instructions, warnings, maintenance requirements, or load limits;

·   pre-existing vehicle damage, rust, corrosion, weak mounting points, prior repairs, aftermarket modifications, or electrical faults;

·   customer-supplied parts or missing/incorrect components;

·   work, modification, removal, reinstallation, programming, wiring, adjustment, or repair performed by someone else to the extent it causes or contributes to the problem; or

·   ordinary maintenance, adjustment, tightening, cleaning, lubrication, calibration, programming, diagnostic work, or replacement of consumable or wear items.

13. Making a Warranty or Installation Claim

If you believe there is a problem with our installation, contact us as soon as reasonably possible. We will normally need to inspect the vehicle and product before determining whether the condition is covered and what remedy is appropriate.

Except in an emergency or where the law provides otherwise, please give us a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, when covered, correct our workmanship before authorizing another shop to alter or repair the installation. We generally do not reimburse third-party labor, towing, diagnosis, removal, reinstallation, freight, or other costs that we did not authorize in advance.

A warranty claim may require proof of purchase, the original work order or invoice, photographs, manufacturer information, or other reasonable information needed to identify the installation and evaluate the issue.

14. Limits of This Policy

This policy is intended to explain the ordinary terms under which we stand behind our work. It does not eliminate any right or remedy that cannot legally be waived, and it does not excuse us from responsibility for work we are legally required to perform properly.

The customer’s signed estimate, work order, invoice, product-specific warranty, and any separately purchased coverage may contain additional or more specific terms. If a specific written term for a particular transaction conflicts with this general policy, the more specific term controls to the extent permitted by law.

15. Contact Us

Questions about an installation, warranty issue, maintenance recommendation, or product problem should be directed to A Better Truck Cap & Hitch through our Site or by contacting our Parma or Painesville location.

A Better Truck Cap & Hitch is operated by Great Lakes Truck Cap & Hitch, LLC.