Power Wheels rant.

[goodburbon]

Got my boy a power Wheels Hurricane last year for birthday/christmas. Best toy he has ever had. He finally broke it this week. The fun begins.

I pull it apart to diagnose. the final drive gear/hub has shattered and the remaining pieces ripped through the drive hub on the wheel. Easy fix. 12 phillips head screws and it basically snaps together.

Wife goes online, finds a parts sales barn through Fisher Price.com. She finds a parts diagram. I identify the parts and attempt to purchase. No Joy. Fisher Price won't sell parts to individuals. Fisher price has authorized distributors who sell the parts for them. Good so far. Fisher price puts it in the contract with their distributors that the electrical and gear systems must be installed by authorized service centers. My nearest service center/parts place is 70+ miles away. I called them and tried to make nice with them. Part is $8. Installation is $44.50. Gas is 10mpg (truck) /140 miles x 2.70/gal. They don't care, it's in their contract that they have to install it.

So Power Wheels company policy demands that an $8 part costs me $90 and an afternoon of driving.

I was polite and cordial with the people on the phone, both Fisher Price and slightly less so the lady with the nearest dealership who wouldn't just sell me the part. (I let her know that their charge added up to $150 an hour.)

So Power wheels has given us the best toy my son has ever had and now has made me hate them.

Words cannot express the anger and frustration at this stupidity.


Oh and E-bay has a pair for $70 plus $17 shipping. I'm gonna go destroy something so I'll feel better.

 

[HaleYes]

Talk to the guys on www.modifiedpowerwheels.com

I'd be willing to bet that they could hook you up with what you need or at least point you to someone that can.

 

[CherBear]

Did you look on ebay for a similiar part?
i would check with the website suppplied ^
Just think if you were new to XJs, wouldnt you check the dealership first?

 

[skortis20]

that is frustrating. somebody drove over my foot with a powerwheels when I was younger and broke my toe

 

[beakie]

sounds to me like an opportunity to turn it into one of those 24v super wheels.like the above site has.

or maybe just swap in from something else.

used or one for sale locally, a "parts" power wheels maybe?

 

[HaleYes]

I've converted a 6V "Get-set-go-cart" to 12V. It moves much better now. I've also done the Barbie Jeep @ 18V. 18V is too much for the kiddos right now. Barbie Jeep has the common front end sagging going on. I've got some bushings machined, I've just not taken the time to do the install. Lots of informative info on that site. They have a large FAQ type area that's been pretty helpful to me. Like I said, I'm sure those guys could hook up Mr. Burbon.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

2 group 24 batteries wired in series and the whole thing rewired with 4g wire = lots of fun for someone up to maybe 180 lbs or so... the plastic gear boxes never last long tho, either that or the motors burn up. ive got some parts left over from the last 3 ive had (i pick up every one i can find for under $30) if you post a pic of the part you need maybe ive got one i can ship ya

 

[bjoehandley]

What size motors does it use?

 

[DeftwillP]

just get the kid an xj...they're cheap enough

 

[MetViper]

I feel your pain, goodburbon, I've got the problems with my kid's power wheels, only the nearest authorized service center is about 130 miles away!!

 

[Schnoz]

just picked up an older f-150 at a yard sale for 9 bucks(that was all the cash I had, Till a 20 fell out when I went to pay the guy).

either the battery is shot or the charger is. either way its gettin a 12v for now. I don't want my son to go through the dissapointment of being the slowest power wheel on the block.

I also gave it a pretty decent rattle can paint job since the old paint was kind of faded. Well that and I really wanted to.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

... either way its gettin a 12v for now ...

they are 12v to start out with, the only advantage of a larger car size battery would be run time. if you are just keeping it 12v look into those lawn and garden tractor batteries, they are 12v and usually will fit under the seat where the motors are, but i would put some plywood or something in there to keep the motors from touching the actual battery. they get good and hot after awhile

 

[SteveT]

How much does it weigh, if you strip the non-essentials? Can you ship it to the "dealer" for service?

 

[Schnoz]

nope mine is a 6v. the red one to be specific. there are a red green and blue 6v battery, some are super 6v (2 6v thus 12 v) and then there are actual 12v( white battery) Im going from a single red 6v to a single white 12v.

 

[CherBear]

just get the kid an xj...they're cheap enough

Im sure you could find one for less than the price of a new powerwheels!!
Plus you already now how to fix it!!