The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FLATBED (LOWBED) TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH RIDEWELL MODEL 240 AIR-RIDE SUSPENSIONS. THE RIDWELL AIR-RIDE SUSPENSION TO AXLE CONNECTION WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED.
The risk
THIS WELD CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE AXLE TO DISCONNECT FROM THE SUSPENSION SADDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILERS AND IF A REPAIR IS NECESSARY, WILL ARRANGE AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2000. 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 GENERAL ENGINES AT 1-800-257-8163.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Eager Beaver 35GSL | 1999, 2000 |
| Eager Beaver 50GSL | 1999, 2000 |
| Eager Beaver 60GSL | 1999, 2000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eager Beaver 35GSL | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Eager Beaver 35GSL | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
| Eager Beaver 50GSL | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Eager Beaver 50GSL | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
| Eager Beaver 60GSL | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Eager Beaver 60GSL | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2001
44 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the suspension; GENERAL ENGINES COMPANY, INC. filed 2 campaigns in all.
| 01V377000 11 Dec 2001 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 01V363000 29 Nov 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V361000 28 Nov 2001 | GENERAL COACH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V359000 13 Nov 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V338000 2 Nov 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V317001 22 Oct 2001 | COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V332000 17 Oct 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V328000 11 Oct 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001