RV News & Newsletter
RV recalls issued for November

Here is the monthly Recreational Vehicle Recall Report for November, 2007 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each recall includes a brief summary of vehicle safety defect and non-compliance notices received during the given month. This report may not cover all recalls, but it is close to comprehensive.

Palomino RV is recalling 105 MY 2007-2008 folding camping trailers equipped with a power winch, Model P55000, built by Carefree of Colorado. An incorrect material was used in the manufacture of the cable shafts on some of these power winch units. Under certain circumstances while the folding camping trailer top is being lifted, if the winch is placed into a stall condition, the cable shaft may break prior to the fuse or circuit breaker tripping. Should the cable shaft break, the FCT top could then free-fall into the lower position, possibly resulting in injuries. Dealers will install new cable shafts. Palomino RV is working with Carefree of Colorado to have new cable shafts installed.

Forest River is recalling 2,983 MY 2007-2008 Flagstaff and Rockwood folding camping trailers equipped with a power winch unit, Model P55000, built by Carefree of Colorado. An incorrect material was used in the manufacture of the cable shafts on some of these power winch units. Under certain circumstances while the folding camping trailer top is being lifted, if the winch is placed into a stall condition, the cable shaft may break prior to the fuse or circuit breaker tripping. Should the cable shaft break, the FCT top could then free-fall into the lower position, possibly resulting in injuries. Forest River is working with Carefree of Colorado to have new cable shafts installed The recall began on December 4, 2007.

Tiffin Motorhomes is recalling 11,438 MY 1997-2004 Allegro, MY 1998-2004 Allegro Bay and Allegro Bus, MY 2000-2004 Phaeton, and MY 1999-2003 Zephyr motor homes equipped with a two door refrigerator manufactured by the Dometic Corporation. These refrigerators may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present. Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire. Tiffin will be working with Dometic in order to repair these refrigerators. Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a second burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse. Dometic has retained Stericycle Inc. to manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist the owner in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments.

Keystone RV is recalling MY 2007 Hideout and MY 2008 Energy travel trailers that may have been manufactured with the incorrect hanger and shackle bolt torque on the axle suspension. If the bolts do not have the proper torque applied, they could come off the vehicle while driving causing poor vehicle handling increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will verify the shackle bolts have the correct torque and re-tighten if necessary. All vehicles are still at dealers. No trailers have been sold to customers.

Gulf Stream is recalling 139 MY 2006-2007 Sun Voyager, Sun Voyager SE, Independence and Sun Sport motor homes built on Workhorse chassis. These motorhomes may have been equipped with incorrect steering intermediate shafts. The spline can strip while the steering wheel is being turned. This steering condition could result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Workhorse is conducting this recall. They will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering intermediate shaft.

Monaco Coach is recalling 53 MY 2007 Holiday Rambler Alumascape Suite and McKenzie Lakota Estate fifth wheel travel trailers. The design specifications for the slideout actuator and bracket location is between the two street side tires. The adapter bracket from the actuator to the slide room has square corners. If the fifth wheel trailers are fully loaded and hit any bumps, the tires may rub the square corner of the bracket. The rub may wear into the tread of the tire over time causing a tire blowout. A tire blowout could cause a loss of control of the trailer which could result in a vehicle crash. Dealers will trim the square corner of the lower rear part of the bracket giving clearance to the rear tire on the street side. The recall is expected to begin during December 2007.

Monaco Coach is recalling 207 MY 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite, MY 2008 Savoy and McKenzie MY 2007 Star-Lite and MY 2008 Starwood travel trailers. The converter neutral wire was connected to the bonding (ground) bar instead of the neutral bar. This could lead to a situation with a shock hazard increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will remove the neutral wire from the bonding bar and install it on the neutral bar, both of which are located in the load center of the vehicle. The recall is expected to begin during December 2007.

Coachmen is recalling 395 MY 2008 Freelander 3130, Maverick 313, and Freedom Express 31 Class C mini-motorhomes. The 12 volt slideroom wire connection to the chassis ignition system may be wired incorrectly causing the brake on the slideroom motor to disengage when the ignition is in the 'on' or 'run' position. This could cause the slideroom to 'relax' and possibly move to the out position while in transit if the travel locks provided with the vehicle are not installed as recommended. Should the slideroom extend while the vehicle is in motion, a crash could occur. Dealers will properly wire the slideroom motor brake activation system free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during December 2007.

Braun is recalling 4,000 MY 2004-2007 Sienna handicapped accessible low floor minivan conversions manufactured by Independent Mobility Systems and built on Toyota chassis, the driver side rear axle beam mount may not have been adequately welded to the OEM chassis. This may result in a squeaking noise, worn tires, a rough ride, or degradation in vehicle control.The mount may become partially separated from the chassis. Passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists may be injured or killed. Dealers will install a redesigned axle beam mounting structure, using enhanced welding practices. The recall is expected to begin during December 2007.

R-Vision is recalling 646 MY 2007-2008 Trail-Sport, Trail-Cruiser, Trail-Lite Cross Over, MY 2007 Trail-Lite and Boogie-Box travel trailers. The converter neutral wire is connected to the bonding (ground) bar instead of the neutral bar. This could lead to a situation with a shock hazard increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will remove the neutral wire from the bonding (ground) bar and install on the neutral bar. The recall is expected to begin during December 2007.

LAST MONTH'S RECALLS: October, 2007

Want to keep up with all that's happening in the RV world? Be sure to sign up to receive America's largest and longest-running online newsletter about RVing, RV Travel. Your email address kept private. No exceptions.

Red Cross Emergency Radio All-in-one, American Red Cross Emergency Radio FR300 by Eton keeps you in touch with the outside world four ways. Listen to AM and FM radio stations, seven NOAA weather channels, sound from TV channels 2-13, and re-charge your cell phone. Power the unit four ways: (1) by turning the dynamo crank; (2) by charging the built-in rechargeable NiMH battery with a few turns of the dynamo crank, or with an AC adapter (adapter not included); (3) by using 3 "AA" batteries (not included); or (4) with an AC adapter alone. Features high-impact plastic body; 3 LED flashlight; red LED flashing light; 26" telescoping antenna; carrying handle; weather alert setting; security siren; and earphone jack (earphones not included). Eton will contribute $.65 of the sales price to support the American Red Cross. 6.5"W x 6"H x 2.5"D.