My “Class Act” Trailer's Structural Integrity Failure

[OldCarGuy]

My searching paid off!

I found the owner and CEO of Nappanee Window. The actual company that ClassAct contracted out to manufacture the ramp door on my trailer. While still waiting weeks for the President of ClassAct to return my certified letter, he (The CEO of Nappanee) returned my call the next day!

We talked for some time and he was very enlightening and extremely helpful. No doubt he thoroughly knew his product very well. After all he developed and owned the patent for my composite ramp door. Patent

As I suspected, my door doesn't have the four aluminum I-beam reinforcements as shown on the patent. He said they eliminated them. He also confirmed my conjecture, that repeated flexing would weaken the composite structure and lead to a failure. Then went on to say the Nappanee Window composite door was not designed or intended to be installed on a car hauler and have cars driven over. That in a nut shell tells me that ClassAct is clearly and distinctly at fault here. By installing a door on a car hauler that was never designed to have cars pass over! The shame is that ClassAct continues to market this disastrous and fatal combination.

 

[bmwpower]

Haha, how about that.

 

[1320stang]

Wait, he designed an holds the patent for your composite door and the patent shows 4 I-beams, and who eliminated them? Nappanee or Class Act? I thought Nappanee made the door?

 

[OldCarGuy]

Wait, he designed an holds the patent for your composite door and the patent shows 4 I-beams, and who eliminated them? Nappanee or Class Act? I thought Nappanee made the door?

Nappanee Window manufactured my door. And it was Nappanee that eliminated the three I-Beams. Because Nappanee determined the door was strong enough to handle ATV's and Motorcycles without the added I-Beams.

 

[Jaguar Fan]

right on. As my old boss used to say "you never win an argument with a customer".

^^^^ +1 ^^^^

 

[35mastr]

So my understanding now is that Class act continued to contract the window company to install doors on car haulers that were only recommended for ATV's.

OCG,I hope that you can get a letter from the window company that states your findings. It will be a big help to you in the near future.

 

[OldCarGuy]

So my understanding now is that Class act continued to contract the window company to install doors on car haulers that were only recommended for ATV's.

OCG,I hope that you can get a letter from the window company that states your findings. It will be a big help to you in the near future.

Classact cannot be getting ramp doors from Nappanee Window. Due to the vast slowdown in the RV business. Nappanee ceased operations on September 25, 2008. I don't know who ClassAct purchases from now. Other than they did tell me they have another source for them. And I have no idea if they are designed like mine and intended for ATV and Motorcycle use only...

 

[lawfarm]

Keep us posted, OCG.

By the way, this post now shows on the first page of Google results for "Class Act Trailer".

 

[Rich1028]

I can not believe that this is stilll going on!
I don't get in here a lot,but when I do I check out the progress of this thread,and I just can not get it why Class act trailer has not man'd up and done there wrong...right!

 

[jake00]

The DEALER needs to do the right thing, The trailer was bought from the DEALER. the contract was with the DEALER.

 

[HOTFR8]

The DEALER needs to do the right thing, The trailer was bought from the DEALER. the contract was with the DEALER.

Still If I built it and a customer was not happy I would like to stand by my product and FIX IT.

 

[jake00]

I'm not disagreeing with ya, just saying

How many times do you order something from a dealer/retailer and then directly request the Manufacturer fix it?

you order a steak, its over cooked, you deal with the chef, not the butcher

you order plywood, its the wrong size, you deal with home depot, not Georgia pacific

You order a sea ray with specific options, You deal with the dealer, not the factory

you order a new F250 that comes in the wrong color, You call the dealer, Not the Kentucky truck plant.


I completely agree that CA should step to the plate,

But coming from a customer service/distributor background, I think 7 weeks is way too long for the dealer to not have found a fix and then dealt with CLASS ACT on their own time and not the customers

 

[Justanoldguy]

But coming from a customer service/distributor background, I think 7 weeks is way too long for the dealer to not have found a fix and then dealt with CLASS ACT on their own time and not the customers

In saying that, neither your or probably anyone on this forum, have any idea what legal issues that the dealer is going through with the manufacturer. These things can drag out for years with Joe Bloggs knowing little or nothing about internal goings on. Class act will hold out as long as they can hoping this will die a natural death in months to come..
Even posts on here have dropped away to virtually nothing.

Everyone is moving on due to no "juicy" action.

 

[bgott]

How many times do you order something from a dealer/retailer and then directly request the Manufacturer fix it?

When there is a service issue that is not being addressed by an automotive dealership the manufacturer has a service rep that is consulted. Has Class Act sent out a rep to look at the trailer? Has the factory sent out a rep to look at the trailer while it was at the dealership and the manufacturer and dealer decided that it is OCG's problem and they are going to jack him off as long as possible? I feel for OCG, I had warranty issues with New Holland over a tractor I bought new. But, if it comes to a lawsuit the 2500 pounds max sticker that he didn't see is going to be an issue. A judge is liable to rule that he should have noticed the sticker before he loaded the trailer out.

 

[OldCarGuy]

My dealer, JTI, has been more than willing to make things right for me one way or another. Since I have made temporary repairs to make the trailer usable. I have been the one to impede the progress between a resolution between JTI and myself. Consequently I have joined forces with JTI to get ClassAct to pay for what really is their mistake and responsibility to correct. Unfortunately to date they have thumbed their noses at us. That speaks volumes of ClassAct's customer support....

As a soon as I receive some vital information about ClassAct through my Attorneys. I will move forward my resolve, and will post it in this thread. Again thanks to all that have posted in this thread.

 

[35mastr]

When there is a service issue that is not being addressed by an automotive dealership the manufacturer has a service rep that is consulted. Has Class Act sent out a rep to look at the trailer? Has the factory sent out a rep to look at the trailer while it was at the dealership and the manufacturer and dealer decided that it is OCG's problem and they are going to jack him off as long as possible? I feel for OCG, I had warranty issues with New Holland over a tractor I bought new. But, if it comes to a lawsuit the 2500 pounds max sticker that he didn't see is going to be an issue. A judge is liable to rule that he should have noticed the sticker before he loaded the trailer out.[/QUOTE]

JTI,Should have pulled a door off of one of their instock trailers that would do the job immediatly after this happened. Then have Class Act either come to inspect the door or ship it back to them for inspection.


This is how we did business. It is the norm for most dealers that sell a product of a higher end caliber.

But I guess that CA just does not stand behind there products.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Not only does it speak volume about Class Act's customer support philosophy, it appears that they have no problem with cutting their dealer off at the knees also.

As far as holding you responsible for not noticing the weight limitation sticker, I would think that would be an issue only if the sticker had been placed in a location that would have been obvious, and easily noticed. That you only discovered it months after the purchase should prove that such was not the case, after all, it is human nature, upon buying most anything, but moreso with a high dollar item, to really look things over as a matter of pride.

Since it seems that both you, and the dealer, are now jointly involved in the legal issues, I would think that the basis for you claim is stronger than ever.

Having said that, I am not an attourney, and could not even play one on TV.

 

[rwhite692]

If the dealer does not have any proof in writing that they conveyed OCG's special requirements in writing to the manufacturer, (ie, a simple WORK ORDER) AND a signoff from the manufacturer that they acknowledge that they accepted and would build to those special requirements, then the dealer is at fault no matter what, and should work with the manufacturer to make the customer happy, at the dealer's cost, if necessary.

Bottom line, if the dealer is taking orders for custom trailers and is not capturing the special custom requirements on paper, nor getting a confirmation from the factory that they will fill the order per the special requirements, then, shame on them. They should be the ones to "man up", eat the cost, and make the customer happy.

 

[lawfarm]

I tend to think that the sticker is a bit of a red herring. OCG never noticed it (until CA advised where it was), and even after OCG posted numerous pics on here of it, none of the hawks on this board saw the sticker. A warning is only a warning if it warns. This sticker did not.

I also agree that JTI should be involved in the resolution, as it sounds like they are. But I believe CA will have a hard time refuting that it was aware of OCG's demands, as they built a custom trailer for him. How could they have built a custom trailer to his specs, if they did not have his specs?

 

[HOTFR8]

I'm not disagreeing with ya, just saying

How many times do you order something from a dealer/retailer and then directly request the Manufacturer fix it?

you order a steak, its over cooked, you deal with the chef, not the butcher

you order plywood, its the wrong size, you deal with home depot, not Georgia pacific

You order a sea ray with specific options, You deal with the dealer, not the factory

you order a new F250 that comes in the wrong color, You call the dealer, Not the Kentucky truck plant.


I completely agree that CA should step to the plate,

But coming from a customer service/distributor background, I think 7 weeks is way too long for the dealer to not have found a fix and then dealt with CLASS ACT on their own time and not the customers

OK, If I sold a part that was faulty and I had to get that part from a supplier I would take up the issue on behalf of my customer to make sure the customer got the product he wanted and I can tell you it happens and I deal with it. Yes we do see faulty products and any reputable firm takes pride in what they sell.

If your Steak is not cooked as you wanted you do not rush to the Kitchen to speak to the Chef you speak to the Waiter first.

 

[Dagowrench24]

Clearly they were only concerned with making a sale on you and not concerned with your actual needs. I think the only way you are going to to settle this is with legal representation.

 

[kvom]

Given the $ amount ($1000) and the fact that no-Class Act is in another state, I sincerely doubt that OCG will find that legal action is a viable solution. Sometimes you just have to bite the bulet. CA will certainly lose some sales as a result of this thread, but that won't be directly visible to them. And they may reason that the damage has already been done, and resolving the issue now won't reverse the impact of this thread.

A grass-roots effort by forum members can possible help. If a few hundred people from GJ call there customer support number and ask why they aren't responding, then they may get off the dime.

1 (800) 220-6806

 

[35mastr]

Given the $ amount ($1000) and the fact that no-Class Act is in another state, I sincerely doubt that OCG will find that legal action is a viable solution. Sometimes you just have to bite the bulet. CA will certainly lose some sales as a result of this thread, but that won't be directly visible to them. And they may reason that the damage has already been done, and resolving the issue now won't reverse the impact of this thread.

A grass-roots effort by forum members can possible help. If a few hundred people from GJ call there customer support number and ask why they aren't responding, then they may get off the dime.

1 (800) 220-6806

If this thread has not already started to make their pockets lighter. I am sure that those magnets that he has on the trailer now will.

By the thousands people attend the bigger shows.

While attending car shows of the caliber that OCG does. People will inquire about it and I am sure that they wont be lineing up to buy any CA products.

 

[jake00]

he should vinyl wrap the whole trailer

and start a website detailing his ordeal, www.classactdefectivetrailers.com or something to that effect

 

[OldCarGuy]

I decided to get away from my ClassAct Car Hauler ramp door issues and my garage projects this past week to get my boat in the water. That explains why I've been away from my computer and not posting recently. But I haven't forgotten about the trailer...

The boats resides in a boat house. That's really a garage with water rather than a concrete floor. So the theme fits and I posted about it in this thread===> The Joys,, and Misery of Boat Ownership...

.

 

[OldCarGuy]

Don't underestimate the power of the Internet.

County singer Dave Carroll guitar was damaged on a flight from Halifax to O'Hare in 1985. After a long battle with United, they refused to pay to fix his prize guitar. He wrote a song that he put on YouTube. Within weeks it received over a million hits. United has since changed their tune,, and paid for the damages... (Pun intended)

Maybe I should hire Dave Carroll to write me a song about my ClassAct trailer?

http://blogs.suntimes.com/shinyobje...d_airlines_over_broken_guitar_run-around.html


.

 

[porschedude996TT]

So I guess owning and sailing the boat make you Captain OldCarGuy then doesn't it...

 

[R1chy]

How about OldBoatGuy?

So I guess owning and sailing the boat make you Captain OldCarGuy then doesn't it...

 

[Art From De Leon]

So I guess owning and sailing the boat make you Captain OldCarGuy then doesn't it...

Captain Ahab? (Seeking revenge on the Great White Trailer Manufacturer)

 

[OldCarGuy]

So many other things have taken priority over my car hauler. But by no means have I forgotten about it. I have weighed in on all my options after listening to all the fine Garage journal members, a number of other trailer manufacturers & dealers, many of my antique car enthusiasts, two Attorneys, and two Engineers. And have come to the following conclusions:

The ramp door on my ClassAct car hauler was destined to fail from the get go. It was lucky to even survive as long as it did, as it was not even designed to handle a car! ClassAct definitely misrepresented the car hauler that I purchased. And that I would easily win in a case of law,, if I would take it to court. There are two compelling reasons why I'm not taking it to court. I would be spending $3,000.00 and a whole bunch of my time to have ClassAct replace my ramp door. That I'm not so sure they can build a workable ramp door in the first place. Then winning a lawsuit would be the easy part. Collecting would be an entirely different challenge. There's an old expression, “You cannot get blood out of a turnip!” would prevail.

After debating totally replacing or rebuilding the present door. I decided to rebuild the door. Two mechanical engineers ran the numbers of my plan. And confirmed that my design would only deflect 3/8” in the middle with a 3,500 pound load. With a three fold safety factor! And that's not accounting for any strength from the existing door...

I'm going to line the inside surface of the ramp door with 3/4” plywood. Sandwiched between two 1/8” thick by 16” wide aluminum diamond plate running lengthwise on the inside of the ramp door. That the car tires will run on. Bolted to four 4” by 4” by 3/8” 6061 T6 aluminum structural angles with 3/8” carriage bolts. Since the leading edge of the door will be another 4” off the ground. I'll make a small extension that'll be attached to the leading edge of the door with a piano hinged.

Seeing that all this reinforcement will double the weight. A small electric winch will be added to lower and raise the newly reinforced door.

My Dealer, JTI, generously agreed to make the ramp door right. Seeing that ClassAct dropped the ball. We agreed that I would do the labor and they would pay for the materials to rebuild the door. But the owner generously suggested that he lend a helping hand. Soon I'll have a car hauler with a door designed to haul cars. I'll be ordering the material's next week. But will not start until I repair my boat. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39557

I'll update this thread with the repairs. BTW,, all the signs will remain intact. To make sure others don't get bamboozled by ClassAct.

 

[rieferman]

Soon I'll have a car hauler with a door designed to haul cars.

and perhaps a side business or a patent as well

Nice job by you on all of this

 

[HOTFR8]

Good to hear OCG. Good to also hear the dealer will stand by you and help out.

Sadly Class Act are no longer the Class Act they should be. Good to hear the notices will stay in place.

 

[durbancic]

first post on this thread, but it is great to see that JTI will stick by you, that is much to say about them. Are they going to continue to carry CA trailers?

-dan

 

[JoeAE86]

OldCarGuy, I just want to say that I've been impressed not only by the spectacular vehicles that you've shown us in this thread, but more importantly, your calm demeanor during this thread. I'm sure that every single one of us here would have been mad as hell at what happened if we were in your shoes, so kudos for that. It also seems that the dealer and you have come to a solution that, I don't think anyone can argue to the contrary, is completely reasonable. No, it's probably not the ideal solution that you had in your mind, but you've been a good example of why I like the people in this forum.

 

[OldCarGuy]

OldCarGuy, I just want to say that I've been impressed not only by the spectacular vehicles that you've shown us in this thread, but more importantly, your calm demeanor during this thread. I'm sure that every single one of us here would have been mad as hell at what happened if we were in your shoes, so kudos for that. It also seems that the dealer and you have come to a solution that, I don't think anyone can argue to the contrary, is completely reasonable. No, it's probably not the ideal solution that you had in your mind, but you've been a good example of why I like the people in this forum.

Thanks for your compliments. With age comes experience, knowledge, and patience. If there is any one thing that you should learn in life. It should be life is way too short to get rattled by situations like this. Particularly when dealing with dysfunctional companies like ClassAct.

first post on this thread, but it is great to see that JTI will stick by you, that is much to say about them. Are they going to continue to carry CA trailers?

-dan

I don't want to speak for JTI. But I cannot imagine that they will be representing ClassAct trailers any longer. Besides my trailer,, other trailers have had major warranty issues that ClassAct will not stand behind....

And for sure,, I'll keep spreading my dismal experience with anyone that will listen...

.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Thanks for your compliments. With age comes experience, knowledge, and patience. If there is any one thing that you should learn in life. It should be life is way too short to get rattled by situations like this. Particularly when dealing with dysfunctional companies like ClassAct. .

It is sensible calm thinking like this that develops respect for a guy and his principles.

I admire your ethics in dealing with all this... Cheers from NZ.

 

[Art From De Leon]

It is sensible calm thinking like this that develops respect for a guy and his principles.

I admire your ethics in dealing with all this... Cheers from NZ.

Being you have the same last name, as well as your middle name being the same as OCG's first name, would you be related?

 

[jake00]

has anyone emailed this thread link to class act?

 

[Justanoldguy]

Being you have the same last name, as well as your middle name being the same as OCG's first name, would you be related?

HaHa...

 

[JCQuick]

glad to hear your dealer is stepping up. Good customer relations seems to get worse every day in this country