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My “Class Act” Trailer's Structural Integrity Failure

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wrigh003

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Glad to hear you're at least able to get some supoprt from your dealer, who it sounded like you have/ have had a good relationship with anyway.

The big signs would frustrate me. I'd get tired of looking at them as a daily reminder of this kind of ordeal. But a small, tasteful sign that reads "Thinking of a Class Act cargo trailer? Think again- ask me about this one" right above the logo would pretty much do the same thing at a car show where people might be looking over a trailer with thoughts toward purchasing one.

The LAST thing I'd want is for somebody to see the properly made/ re-engineered door and think it came that way as purchased from Class Act.
 
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OldCarGuy

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It has been taking me longer than anticipated to get my boat up and running. Plus I've been sidestepping the progress this past week. I loaded up my 1914 Cadillac for a tour in Northwest Ohio. Haven’t even started on the repairs to my ClassAct trailer’s ramp door. Still using the 2" by 10" ramps and blockings. Like usual many antique car enthusiasts stopped by to discuss my trailer's problems. Even a few truck drivers at the rest stops...

DSCF0659.jpg


I will follow up with some nice pictures and video clips of the neat stuff that I came across on this trip. But I’ll post some teasers....

This was a driving tour of about 50 cars. On this tour the age requirement was only 25 years old. I had the earliest being a 1914 Cadillac. This was one sweet 1957 Chevrolet!

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Did you ever see a 1899 Locomobile steam driven car?

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This has to be one of the most complete collections of spark plugs I’ve ever seen!

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Now I’ll be taking you fellas to a huge collection of stationary engines. Including pictures and video clips of these old engines running. I spent hours talking with the collector and I am still totally amazed.

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KenBaker

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Nov 9, 2006
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I have read through all of this and had to write a response to Class Act Trailers. I have sent an E-Mail to [email protected]. This is the exact thing that I have sent:

"http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36910

Why have you not made this right with this customer? It seems that this kind of problem (and it's very public display) would be time for your company to shine and show everyone that you back your products. It is not lost on most of the readers of this posting the irony that the name of your company is "Class Act". To spend even $1000.00 to make this right shows people that you back your products. You will never know how many potential customers failed to inquire about your products after reading about this issue. They just failed to call and did not look on your Web Site. I could see how frustrated someone could be having to rig up some wood and blocks to get vehicles into the trailer, especially after spending what he spent on it. JTI-INC is offering to compensate partially for repairs, even though they did not create the issue. Do you feel that the customer should have asked better questions? This customer, like many others, did not buy the minimum trailer or the least expensive one. He was looking at your product as a package of value, features and quality. When he ordered it with specific additional options, YOU should have asked better questions to make sure he received something that at least met his minimum requirements. I do not expect you to reply to any of this but you really need to at the very least make sure that it does not happen to anyone else."

I will post any reply that is made.
 

rwhite692

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Ken, Why would they, or should they, reply to YOU?

You are not involved in the matter in any way whatsoever (unless you are OCGs legal representation?)
 
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OldCarGuy

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I wouldn't imagine ClassAct returning Ken Baler's email either. They haven't returned any of my correspondence, including a registered letter.
 

jake00

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everyone from different regions of the country should email CA to find out who the local dealers are, then point the dealers to this thread....
 

j.pickens

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Apr 18, 2008
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I will be purchasing a car hauler within the next year.
Class Act will not be on the list of suppliers, unless they go beyond and above to refund or properly fix OCG's trailer at no cost to him. Period.
 

KenBaker

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After reading through this post and then going to Class Act's Web Site, I felt strongly about sending their Customer Service an E-Mail. I am not acting on anyone's behalf. I can write anything that I want and send it to anyone that I choose. I think that people should read though this posting and if they feel like I did, they they can send a note as I did. I am just amazed they they did not make any attempt to meet somewhere in the middle. That is one of the fundamentals of business is to work with the customer and try to come to a solution that helps the customer, even it is a partial solution. If you don't feel as I do, then don't send a note. It is that simple. I have a lot of respect for OCG. He has built an empire due to a lifetime of hard work. And no, I did not get a response....
 

bmwpower

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31,000+ views and still nothing?
New customers are dropping like flies.
 

rwhite692

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After reading through this post and then going to Class Act's Web Site, I felt strongly about sending their Customer Service an E-Mail.....


That's the point. You are neither a customer, nor are you involved in the dispute. I Agree 100% that you have every right to email whatever you want, to whomever you want. Have at it.
 

Art From De Leon

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I will be purchasing a car hauler within the next year.
Class Act will not be on the list of suppliers, unless they go beyond and above to refund or properly fix OCG's trailer at no cost to him. Period.


I would pretend to be interested in their product, get them all worked up in anticipation, and then tell them to go fk themselves.
 

HOTFR8

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I would pretend to be interested in their product, get them all worked up in anticipation, and then tell them to go fk themselves.

Thats the way to do it.......But I think I would leave out the part to say go fk as you say, otherwise your just lowering yourself to the low standards of what is supposed to be a class act. That does not help OCG :thumbup:
 

dreamingmuscle

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Re: My ?Class Act? Trailer's Structural Integrity Failure

Can you sing OC? If so you might want to make a you tube video. This guy go satisfaction in two days after posting his woes of a year long fight with United air lines.

________
marijuana strain index
 
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Dragster Racer

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While he isn't involved, it shows them that folks are reading this thread, and it affects how they think about thier company. This company really needs to wake up.
 

billspit

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Its so utterly ironic that a company that goes by the name Class Act is not a class act.
 
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Maybe you need to start a blog so everyone that is considering buying one gets your story. When they google class act they get your story. after they lose enough business maybe they will make good on it. maybe you could bring it to a body shop. They could dissassemble it and build a steel frame then reinstall the outer shell to match
 

6806goats

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Iraq 5 yrs, A'stan 4yrs+ shop in SE Idaho.
I expected better out of my 44' Featherlite Gooseneck too. Was trying to find out info on this used GN so I emailed the company and asked what the door rating was. Answer: 2500 lbs. Whattttt! That's it? My 2000 Pace American 24' is rated at 4500. FTHR said well only half of the car would be on the the door at any time. But I didn't trust it and when loading a 4500 lb 1967 Buick Riviera I made sure to prop the doors. I'm still not impressed with Featherlite though. There are some issues that I think they could have handled much better but mostly problems with the seller and the appraising FTHR dealership who I think I'll try to take to court.
 

JOYO

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Austin, TX....Ya'll
My Wells Cargo trailer's rear door is bowing as well, not as bad as yours but it's making me nervous considering it's usually transporting high-dollar cars that are low to the ground.
 

dreamingmuscle

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Tryon Oklahoma
Re: My ?Class Act? Trailer's Structural Integrity Failure

I'm moving back to Oklahoma and was planning on using my 24' enclosed Homesteader trailer to make the move with. Well a friend suggested that I check out the weight rating on the trailer first. Since I got it used and didn't have a clue as to what it rated I called Homesteader up. Well my trailer has a GVWR of 7000 lbs. It weighs 4100 by it self leaving me a whooping 2900 lbs of cargo that I can load on it. Shoot my GTO which I bought the trailer for in the first place weighs more then that.

What a freaking waste of a good trailer.

Moral of the story research what your buying.

Glen
________
Honda FR-V specifications
 
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73Aussie Ford

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Inland Empire California AKA The Inbred Empire
Hello all,

First off, I'm sorry you are dealing with a situation like this, I had a similar situation when I had my lagoon pool built. 2 years later my situation was resolved, I know how frustrated you feel.

Secondly, if I was connected with Haulmark in ANY way, I would somehow, someway, get you a new replacement car hauler/trailer. Can you guys imagine what that would do for the reputation and sales for Haulmark????

So the seller refuses to honor a warranty and it's competetion steps up and helps the guy out, MAN talk about a sales, public relations jackpot!

I will be sending a link to Haulmark coporate headquarters.

And to answer the question, "What can we do to help?" Forward this post to ANY car clubs/car sites/hobby sites you belong to, if we can ensure another person doesnt get ripped off by these (in my opinon) low down scumbags, then we have succeeded by doing our part.

I am sending a link to this entire post to:

http://www.haulmark.com/about-haulmark/company-info/

And the largest 2nd generation Camaro club in the world, 20,000 plus registered members.

www.Nastyz28.com
 

jake00

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Hello all,


Secondly, if I was connected with Haulmark in ANY way, I would somehow, someway, get you a new replacement car hauler/trailer. Can you guys imagine what that would do for the reputation and sales for Haulmark????

I will be sending a link to Haulmark coporate headquarters.

I am sending a link to this entire post to:

http://www.haulmark.com/about-haulmark/company-info/

And the largest 2nd generation Camaro club in the world, 20,000 plus registered members.

www.Nastyz28.com


Whats haulmark have to do with it?
 

73Aussie Ford

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Whats haulmark have to do with it?

Hmmm, maybe Haulmark, which by the way is located in the same state as "Class Act" will help the guy out. It's clear that (Not a)Class-Act is in direct competition with Haulmark.

So if the seller wont help, I bet a stand up quality manufacturer like Haulmark can see the public relations/sales potential of helping out the buyer.
 
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OldCarGuy

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Ohio
I have been a little slow getting the repair done on the defective ramp door. Not that I'm lying around eating bonbons! Besides all the time I spent on my boat getting it running. There was a roof re-shingled, installed two new toilets, and a new dishwasher. Along with tending the yard and garden.

I lined inside surface of the ramp door with 5/8” plywood. Bolting it into place with stainless steel flat head screws. On top of that I installed two 16” wide 1/8” thick aluminum diamond plate runners. That I so happened to have in my collection.

DSCF0893.jpg


Machining four 8' long 4” by 4” by 3/8” 6061 T6 aluminum structural angles. Including 1/2” mounting holes, clearance for aluminum frame, and angle at the bottom.

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Machined 1/8” clearance for aluminum frame...

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Bolted the two angles together with 3/8” aluminum diamond plate I had lying around. The one mounted at the angle will rest on the ground when the door is lowered.

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The two angle assemblies are bolted to the door using a total of 24 1/2” carriage bolts, nuts, and washers. That'll secure the structural angle to the diamond plate runners.

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View of door from behind
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Side view of ramp door resting on 3/8” aluminum diamond plate pads.

DSCF0908.jpg


I need to drill and install the rest of the 1/2” carriage bolts. I'll be using shorter bolts that I just picked up today. I have some 3/4” aluminum decorative angle that I'll be dressing off the plywood edges with. Then possibly epoxy coating the plywood...

All this has added about 200 pounds to the door. That already weighed 250 pounds. I purchased a 2,000 pound capacity 12 Volt winch to power the door's up and down movements. I'm debating placement of the winch, pulleys, and cables. I also was planning on installing an approach ramp to the end of the ramp door. Using a piano hinge. That will add even more weight and I may opt for a removable one.

DSCF0901.jpg
 

volvo

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PNW 45th Parallel
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Looks Good and strong. I am sorry, I didn't catch the trade Mark and patent pending information. ( So that the %^$#$ don't rip off your plans.)
 

utahdog2003

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down at the rec center watchin' folks swim
If I might offer a suggestion....I'd remove any mention of "Class Act" from the outside of the trailer. After having to sort out the solution yourself, to a problem that should have never existed in the first place, if I were you I'd make sure to not provide the company with any free publicity.

Just an idea.:thumbup:
 

HOTFR8

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What a mess. I can see you have had better things to do with your time and that the door you have made is just something I am sure you wish you did not have to do. Still I can see what you have done will fix your problem once and for all.

I think I would take off the name 'class act' or perpaps modify the name to 'OCG's 100% improvement on a poor door class act'. :thumbup: I am sure you will come up with something different and better.
 

Justanoldguy

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Atiamuri. Central North Island. New Zealand
Re: view all

Actually there is. Mind you, Ive only seen it once.

Ive never had it on my machine, but on a friends he had a GF4 MX440 at the time, there was a rear view mirror positioned in the top center of the screen.

I have no idea how it got there, but it was definately there.

Weird huh?


Weird alright..

What are talking about??
 
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