Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- Component
- Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- Manufacturer
- SUNNYBROOK RV INC.
- Vehicles affected
- 168
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2004-04-01
- Owners notified
- 2004-04-15
Defect description
ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH BEDROOM SLIDE OUT ROOMS, THE FRONT CROSS-MEMBER CONNECTED TO THE HITCH PIN BOX MAY NOT BE OF ADEQUATE STRENGTH.
Safety risk
IF OVERLOADED, EXTENSIVE USE, ADDED HITCH WEIGHT, AND/OR ROAD UNEVENNESS, STRESS ON THE C-CHANNEL COULD CAUSE THE HITCH PIN BOX TO HAVE CROWNING OR STRESS FRACTURES CAUSING THE UPPER FRAME TO DROP DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH WHEN CONNECTED TO THE TOW VEHICLE. THIS COULD AFFECT THE STEERING CAPABILITY OF THE TOWING VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD A 2" X 3" X 86" 11 GAUGE STEEL TUBE TO THE EXISTING FRONT CROSS-MEMBER AND INSPECT/REPAIR ALL WELDS, JOINTS AND STRUCTURE OF THE UPPER FRAME DECKING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2004. 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 SUNNYBROOK AT 574-825-5250.