The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER AXLES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A BEARING OPTION KNOWN AS NEV-R-LUBE. THE OPTIONAL HUB UTILIZES A SEALED CARTRIDGE BEARING WHICH IS HELD IN PLACE WITH A RETAINING RING THAT PREVENTS THE HUB FROM SHIFTING ON THE BEARING. SOME OF THESE AXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT THE RETAINING RING.
The risk
THE ABSENCE OF THE RETAINING RING CAN ALLOW THE HUB TO SHIFT INWARD AND MAY RESULT IN BRAKE INTERFERENCE OR TIRE CONTACT TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE. BRAKING PROBLEMS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TIRE CONTACT TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE CAN RESULT IN OVERHEATING AND POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE OR CAUSE THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT.
The remedy
DEXTER AXLE WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED AXLES FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Western Alpenlite | 1998, 2001 |
Components: SUSPENSION
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Alpenlite | 1998 | 2 | 3 |
| Western Alpenlite | 2001 | 0 | 3 |
Other suspension recalls in 2000
49 of the 541 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2000 concerned the suspension; WESTERN RV, INC. filed 9 campaigns in all.
| 00V426000 26 Dec 2000 | POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 00V358010 26 Dec 2000 | TRAVEL SUPREME, INC. |
| 00V358004 22 Dec 2000 | SOONER TRAILER |
| 00V358009 21 Dec 2000 | SUNNYBROOK RV INC. |
| 00V358003 20 Dec 2000 | PETERSON INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 00V358011 19 Dec 2000 | PERFORMANCE FIRST, INC. |
| 00V421002 18 Dec 2000 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 00V358007 18 Dec 2000 | MO TRAILERS |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2000