Parkliner: Chapter 2

[Sid]

All,
A few days ago I used the Parkliner web site to send a message to the new owner. I mentioned that more than a few at members at Fiberglass RV were curious and hopeful regarding the future of the brand.
I was presently surprised to find the following in my inbox from Tom Bass:

Sid-
How great it is to hear from you. It's also good to hear that you love your Parkliner as much as we love ours. Here is some company info for you to pass along:
The company has been sold and the new owner is keeping it here in the local area so he can take advantage of Chandler's design talents. I have been asked to rejoin the company to assist in the startup, customer service and sales. Plans are to have the initial run of new campers completed in April. All of this is really exciting as it means that the Parkliner brand will continue to be available for people to buy and enjoy.
Please call me at your convenience on my cell, xxx-xxx-xxxx. I would enjoy having a visit with you.
Best,
Tom

Tonight I did call Tom and had a great chat (also a person you would love to talk to around a campfire). In addition to the above he mentioned that the new facility will most likely be next door to Gibsonville in Elon North Carolina. The factory is about 7000 square feet. They have contacted most of the previous employees and it appears that a number of them will also be joining in! Unofficial word has been leaking out locally and Tom already has about 11 or 12 serious inquires from people looking to order.
We did discuss the new owner but I think it best for the person to introduce themself as they see fit. What I can tell you is they are the sole owner with a history of financing and managing startups.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Sid

... In addition to the above he mentioned that the new facility will most likely be next door to Gibsonville in Elon North Carolina. ..

Darn, only 90 miles from me! Yet I drove over 1,300 one way to get a Scamp only four months ago. If I had not already done so much customization I would add my name to the list of potential buyers.

[Pat in Michigan]

Hooray, Sounds like there is good things going on. Thanks so much for the update Sid.

[deryk]

Sounds Great! Hope they get ParkLiner running right so it is here to stay!

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Sid

... They have contacted most of the previous employees and it appears that a number of them will also be joining in! ...

I don't know how to say this politely, but I hope the new owner hires back only those previous employees who will commit to quality workmanship. I recall previous ParkLiner threads discussing problems new owners discovered before they even left the factory parking lot with their brand new camper (including brake lights that didn't work due to improper camper wiring) - likely due to hasty construction and lack of quality control checks during construction and a final check on the finished product. (Further evidenced by the owner who recently posted that they only received one of the two batteries they had ordered and paid for. With a proper quality control build check sheet, the factory would have discovered that before disappointing the buyer.) It sounds like the new ParkLiner owner will likely have a better handle on all-important customer satisfaction through better quality control - hopefully beginning with employees committed to quality workmanship. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox....

[accrete]

I sure wish them all the best!

Of course... the Originals are still classics IMO : )

Thom

[rdcastle]

Thank the RV gods! I had almost completely given up on owning a Parkliner someday.

[BillC]

Originally Posted by rdcastle

Thank the RV gods! I had almost completely given up on owning a Parkliner someday.

We're thinking of selling ours. It's a 2013 with all the options including the Fiamma awning. I also installed a flat screen tv and outside cable hookup. It's lightly used and garage kept.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by BillC

We're thinking of selling ours. It's a 2013 with all the options including the Fiamma awning. I also installed a flat screen tv and outside cable hookup. It's lightly used and garage kept.

You can send RDCastle a personal message by clicking on his name. If he isn't interested, a post in the For Sale section of this forum will no doubt find a buyer quickly. Good luck, Raz

[BillC]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

You can send RDCastle a personal message by clicking on his name. If he isn't interested, a post in the For Sale section of this forum will no doubt find a buyer quickly. Good luck, Raz

Hi Raz,
I apparently am not able to send a personal message or to find a link to enable personal messaging so I can send a message to RDCastle. Any suggestions?

[Raz]

Originally Posted by BillC

Hi Raz,
I apparently am not able to send a personal message or to find a link to enable personal messaging so I can send a message to RDCastle. Any suggestions?

If you click on his name a window will open. Send a private message is the second option. Raz

[Glenn Baglo]

It appears that you have set up your account to not send or receive personal messages.
You need to go to USER CP at the top left of this page and change your settings.

[BillC]

I did and was told I had to turn on private messages in the Options. I don't seem to be able to get to options.
Thanks for your help.

[Glenn Baglo]

Go to USER CP.

On the left side panel you will find mail and pm options.

[War Eagle]

BillC, Just curious how you like your 2013 Honda Ridgeliner as a tow vehicle for your Parkliner. My wife and I are intrigued by the upcoming 2017 Ridgeliner re-design and its suitability for towing our EggCamper. Although it's being touted by Honda as having true pickup styling, it still seems to us more like an SUV featuring an open-air rear cargo area (which is fine with us). Anyway, it's intriguing to us since we really loved our previous Honda Accord. Just curious what you think of yours - and your thoughts on the 2017 re-design, if you've taken time to check into them. Thanks. Dale

[BillC]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

BillC, Just curious how you like your 2013 Honda Ridgeliner as a tow vehicle for your Parkliner. My wife and I are intrigued by the upcoming 2017 Ridgeliner re-design and its suitability for towing our EggCamper. Although it's being touted by Honda as having true pickup styling, it still seems to us more like an SUV featuring an open-air rear cargo area (which is fine with us). Anyway, it's intriguing to us since we really loved our previous Honda Accord. Just curious what you think of yours - and your thoughts on the 2017 re-design, if you've taken time to check into them. Thanks. Dale

We love our 2013 Ridgeline. It easily tows the Parkliner. No problems at all. Its comfortable as a truck, and with the cap we added over the bed, is kind of like an SUV. The trunk is particularly handy unless you need something from it when the bed of the truck is full.
I read one article on the 2017. It looks like a little sleeker version of the same truck. I don't know its towing capacity. My Ridgeline is rated at 5000lbs.
Cheers.
Bill

[Sid]

Just saw this on the Parkliner web site,

"ParkLiner is back in production in a new manufacturing facility. The 2014 prices on the camper and all options will be honored for a limited time – so it’s time for you to order your new ParkLiner travel trailer. Call us today at 800 418-2120 so you can say “take me somewhere fun” in my new ParkLiner!"

All the rest of the site is identical to before with the exception being the company address.

[Raz]

They said they'd be back by January and they are. That's a good sign. Raz

[Pat in Michigan]

That is so exciting, I have high hopes for the new company….

[PeteM]

Originally Posted by BillC

We're thinking of selling ours. It's a 2013 with all the options including the Fiamma awning. I also installed a flat screen tv and outside cable hookup. It's lightly used and garage kept.

@BillC is your Parkliner for sale? I sent you a PM. Thank you.


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV