ParkLiner wheel wells & tires

[Donna D.]

This is a VERY sad situation. Parkliner is doing nearly irreputable damage to their reputation. It will be very difficult to recover. Based on all the reading I've done, it will not be a manufacturer I can feel comfortable recommending. And, that's too bad, truly. Parkliner would have been far BETTER off biting the bullet and fix all trailers they've built. Then advertise they stand by their customers and product. A work-around is not a proper fix.

[accrete]

Originally Posted by frank_a

Aha, so you're the culprit! ...Any chance your glass shop would still have the design/fabrication data from Tom at Parkliner?

I will ask the guys at the shop. The design info was in an email with images and dimensions of cuts and such. I'll see what i can do.

[accrete]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

...Parkliner is doing nearly irreputable damage to their reputation...

Like you i'm also saddened that PL is not doing a better job upholding their end of the deal on the early models that needed mods. I'm not sure why we were fortunate with our #35. That said, the Parkliner is certainly a rig to behold on the outside and inside. We had a Casita-Couple (17ft with front bath) a couple spaces down from us last week. They were making a trip from Florida to BC and back. They asked for a tour and just sat inside our PL for a while and commented on nice build quality and amazing interior space, and all the stuff i just (now) take for granted. I did mention the mods and they took a close look at the work, which one could not tell ever took place.

Cheers,
Thom

[Huck]

I'm a little confused. If I understand right, Parkliner was supposed to relocate the battery(s) and fix the tire rub problem.

You haven't mentioned the battery, so I assume they relocated it to the tongue.

When they told you they didn't have to enlarge the tire wells, did you ask them how they fixed the problem? Are you sure the smaller tires don't fix the problem?

I can understand your frustration, but I think this may be a communication problem more than anything else. I will be very surprised if Parkliner doesn't work out something that is acceptable to you.

[deryk]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

What make of Axle does Parkliner use?

Im pretty sure Frank has the same as axle as mine, a Dexter TorsionFlex Axle....Frank does yours look like this?


I still have zero tire rub and I travel a fair bit offroad since I boondock on friends land.

From what Aaron told me and this video from dexter, it seems like we can set it at 7 different settings so I'm sure it can go down one more giving the trailer a little lift in height to give more wheel well clearance...and down the road when the rubber pieces wear out they can be replaced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzVVqXxbGSA

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by deryk

Im pretty sure Frank has the same as axle as mine, a Dexter TorsionFlex Axle....Frank does yours look like this?


I still have zero tire rub and I travel a fair bit offroad since I boondock on friends land.

From what Aaron told me and this video from dexter, it seems like we can set it at 7 different settings so I'm sure it can go down one more giving the trailer a little lift in height to give more wheel well clearance...and down the road when the rubber pieces wear out they can be replaced.

Is the problem with rubbing on the front/back of the wells (axle not centered) or top of the well (axle too high).

[Paul O.]

All along I was wondering what got into those guys' heads at ParkLiner that they did not create a 3D model of everything *before* making molds? This is the age of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and they should have checked things out first. When we used paper and pencil in mechanical design, interference or clearances had to be checked on (sometimes) many prototypes. But that is ancient history! Just shaking my head.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Paul O.

All along I was wondering what got into those guys' heads at ParkLiner that they did not create a 3D model of everything *before* making molds? This is the age of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and they should have checked things out first. When we used paper and pencil in mechanical design, interference or clearances had to be checked on (sometimes) many prototypes. But that is ancient history! Just shaking my head.

As far as I can tell none of the fiberglass manufacturers with the exception of Nest use any kind of cad. Most don't even do email well. It all seems to be seat of the pants beat to fit. Kinda like the model T. Raz

[mary and bob]

Was there a tire rub problem to begin with on #006. I thought the early models didn't have that issue.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by accrete

Like you i'm also saddened that PL is not doing a better job upholding their end of the deal on the early models that needed mods. I'm not sure why we were fortunate with our #35. That said, the Parkliner is certainly a rig to behold on the outside and inside. We had a Casita-Couple (17ft with front bath) a couple spaces down from us last week
. They were making a trip from Florida to BC and back. They asked for a tour and just sat inside our PL for a while and commented on nice build quality and amazing interior space, and all the stuff i just (now) take for granted. I did mention the mods and they took a close look at the work, which one could not tell ever took place.

Cheers,
Thom

I had toured both a Parkliner , Scamp and Casita before purchasing my Casita.
I agree with you that the Parkliner has a nice layout and feels more roomy than the Casita . That being said the Casita ,Escape and Scamp are a known quantity where Parkliner is not. I believe that if Parkliner owners as witnessed by this website had known of all the problems and lack of response from the manufacturer , their choice of trailer may have been different . In the years I have owned both a Scamp and a Casita my repairs and problems have been minor compared to the Parkliner . I have great sympathy for Frank and sincerely hope his issues are resolved . In the final analysis ,to me ,good layout does not make up for poorly executed design and poor customer service. If Parkliner is to survive they should probably follow the path of Scamp ,Escape and Casita .There is a reason they have survived in the FG market and succeeded .I would rather be using my trailer for its' intended purpose " Camping/ Travel " than constantly having to fix the mistakes of the manufacturer . Sympathy is not going to solve Frank's problems with Parkliner. GOOD LUCK FRANK

[deryk]

Actually...me bad... its a Flexiride® - Full Beam Axles

[Huck]

There were 2 major problems with some of the early Parkliners - tire rub and battery location. I bought my Parkliner in early 2014 and didn't have either of the problems.

I don't remember reading a single complaint about the solution Parkliner implemented for the battery. They were relocated to a battery box on the tongue of the trailer. Everyone on this forum that has had that fix seems happy with it or at least I don't remember reading any negative comments.

Parkliner has been responsive when I have contacted them. I recently had them fix a door hinge, replace the fan, and install an awning. They did exactly what they said they would do when they said they would do it.

Some people (who don't own Parkliners) seem to be jumping to conclusions. Parkliner has fixed the basic design flaws found in the early models. Scheduling and fixing the problems in earlier models has not gone as smoothly as it should, but the repairs were made, even when the trailer owner was not the original owner.

I think Parkliner turned the corner this year. The guys in the shop take a lot of pride in their work and do their best to put out a good product. I would recommend the Parkliner to a friend that was considering a fiberglass trailer.

I sympathize with Frank and don't mean to minimize his concerns in any way. I just didn't want to see this turn into another bash parkliner thread.

[frank_a]

Huck, they told me they needed the trailer for a week so they had the 2-3 days necessary to expand the wheel wells, and take care of other issues. So that's what I did. When I called Tom Bass Thursday to tell him I would be there mid-afternoon the next day, he was surprised, thinking that I wasn't coming till Saturday. Of course, this is after I had earlier given them my plans. So the other thing he says is "You were lucky - they didn't have to expand the wheel wells." Lucky? Who was lucky? Chandler I guess.

I had other issues I told them about that also did not get done or get done correctly. I still have dampness on the floor of the closet. They never fixed my door hinges. They put the new battery compartment top on crooked! That's just sloppiness. I still don't have a low water drain, which I was told they would do.

I am leaning towards taking a heat gun and removing the company logos and never recommending the company again. I was lied to and treated very poorly for the near 2 grand it cost me to bring that trailer down for a week. I'm respecting the family orientation of these forums and not saying anything more that I might regret.

There's an old adage in business - it's easy to lose a customer, and very hard to get them back. I can't imagine I would ever visit their plant again. They'd have to pay my travel expenses for me to do it. I'm done.

Frank

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Huck

I sympathize with Frank and don't mean to minimize his concerns in any way. I just didn't want to see this turn into another bash parkliner thread.

Neither do the Moderating staff who are watching this Thread closely.

[frank_a]

Originally Posted by accrete

I will ask the guys at the shop. The design info was in an email with images and dimensions of cuts and such. I'll see what i can do.

I'd appreciate it Thom. No question here I'm on my own. I can't even get two fingers in between the tires and the well. When I get time I'll post some pics. It's not hard to see it's a problem waiting to happen.

Thanks,

Frank

[deryk]

It truly is a shame the way they are choosing to handle this. Frank if you do get the file can you send me a copy...wouldn't hurt to have it just in case.

Frank, contact Flexiride and find out about how adjustable it is and if there is a dealer in your area...they might be able to adjust it to lift your trailer a bit higher to increase the space between the tire and the wheel well. I would also ask how much is the replacement rubber piece and consider buying a pair for the future lol.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by frank_a

Huck, they told me they needed the trailer for a week so they had the 2-3 days necessary to expand the wheel wells, and take care of other issues. So that's what I did. When I called Tom Bass Thursday to tell him I would be there mid-afternoon the next day, he was surprised, thinking that I wasn't coming till Saturday. Of course, this is after I had earlier given them my plans. So the other thing he says is "You were lucky - they didn't have to expand the wheel wells." Lucky? Who was lucky? Chandler I guess.

I had other issues I told them about that also did not get done or get done correctly. I still have dampness on the floor of the closet. They never fixed my door hinges. They put the new battery compartment top on crooked! That's just sloppiness. I still don't have a low water drain, which I was told they would do.

I am leaning towards taking a heat gun and removing the company logos and never recommending the company again. I was lied to and treated very poorly for the near 2 grand it cost me to bring that trailer down for a week. I'm respecting the family orientation of these forums and not saying anything more that I might regret.

There's an old adage in business - it's easy to lose a customer, and very hard to get them back. I can't imagine I would ever visit their plant again. They'd have to pay my travel expenses for me to do it. I'm done.

Frank

I agree they have both a quality assurance problem and a communication problem. They need a simple check list that the customer agrees to, then that needs to go to Aaron or whoever is running the shop, and then someone needs to sign off that all work was done and tested. So simple, but apparently not being done.

I was there all day so I discussed with Aaron exactly what I wanted done and then he went over everything with me when they were finished.

[mary and bob]

Deryk; isn't the swing arms on a spline shaft so that you just remove the clamp bolt, pull the arm off, and reposition it. I was looking into those axles just because of that feature. Mainly because it's one less spec that has to be figured out on a replacement axle. But on the Parkliner would repositioning solve the problem without affecting handling or ride? Also the swing arc has to be taken into consideration as that will move the tire closer to or farther away from the wheel well. I think they should have made the wheel openings larger anyway, but the current design may be more cosmetically based than functional. But I agree the Parkliner is a nice looking camper, just a few engineering flaws.

[deryk]

Bob and Mary, Thats what I was told by Aaron when I went down to ParkLiner. I suggest Frank give them a call

http://www.ucfamerica.com/FlexirideT...20Settings.pdf

[frank_a]

Originally Posted by deryk

I suggest Frank give them a call.[/URL]

Call who Deryk? Flexride? They make the EX Lube spindles?

I'll tell ya, I couldn't change it very much front to back without more interference possible with the wheel wells. I'll post some pics when I can, but because of the rally this weekend, I will be busy with chores around the house all day.

Frank