Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: lines and fittings
- Component
- Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: lines and fittings
- Manufacturer
- COACHMEN RV COMPANY
- Vehicles affected
- 51
- Reported to NHTSA
- 1999-08-12
- Owners notified
- 1999-08-17
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 5TH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH KITCHEN SLIDE-OUTS. THE PLUMBING THAT SUPPLIES LIQUID PROPANE (LP) GAS TO THE REFRIGERATOR CONSISTS OF A FLEXIBLE LP HOSE CONNECTED TO A COPPER FITTING THAT CONNECTS TO A COPPER TUBE THAT THEN RUNS TO THE REFRIGERATOR. THE COPPER FITTING IS FASTENED TO THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM WALL WITH CLAMPS TO PROHIBIT MOVEMENT OF THE COPPER LINE AND INSURE THAT AS THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM IS EXTENDED AND RETRACTED, THE FLEXIBLE GAS LINE MOVES AND NOT THE COPPER LINE. THE CLAMPS INTENDED TO HOLE THE COPPER LINE IN PLACE HAVE NOT BEEN INSTALLED CAUSING THE COPPER GAS LINE TO FLEX WITH SLIDE-OUT ROOM MOVEMENT.
Safety risk
THE COPPER LINE COULD CRACK ALLOWING LP GAS TO LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT FITTING WITH A "DROP EAR" FITTING FOR DIRECT ATTACHMENT TO THE SLIDE-OUT SIDEWALL, ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR THE CLAMPS.