Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack
- Component
- Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack
- Manufacturer
- COACHMEN RV COMPANY
- Vehicles affected
- 226
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2002-01-09
- Owners notified
- 2002-01-21
Defect description
ON SOME TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL UNDERSLUNG SPARE TIRE CARRIERS, THE LOCKING PIN FOR THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Safety risk
IF THE RELEASE BOLT THAT SECURES THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER TO THE FRAME AT THE DROP DOWN END OF THE CARRIER WERE TO BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OFF, A PORTION OF THE CARRIER ASSEMBLY ITSELF COULD DETACH AND FALL OFF IF THERE IS NO LOCKING PIN. IF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WERE TO SEPARATE FROM THE UNIT DURING TRAVEL, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED CARRIER RELEASE BOLT AND LOCKING PIN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-800-453-6064.