The defect
ON CERTAIN CLASS A AND CLASS B MOTOR HOMES, THE HITCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A SPACER PLATE THAT DOES NOT FIT FLUSH TO THE REAR EXTENSION.
The risk
THIS CAUSES THE FASTENERS TO BE CORNER LOADED WHEN TIGHTENED WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HITCH TO FAIL DURING USAGE CAUSING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH AND INJURY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPACER PLATE AND ADD SIX NEW BOLTS, WASHERS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE SPACER PLATE IN PLACE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOUR WINDS AT 574-266-1111.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Four Winds Chateau Citation | 2006 |
| Four Winds Dutchmen Dorado | 2006 |
| Four Winds Hurricane | 2006 |
| Four Winds Magellan | 2006 |
| Four Winds Siesta | 2006 |
| Four Winds Windsport | 2006 |
Components: TRAILER HITCHES
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four Winds Chateau Citation | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Four Winds Dutchmen Dorado | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Four Winds Hurricane | 2006 | 1 | 4 |
| Four Winds Magellan | 2006 | 0 | 4 |
| Four Winds Siesta | 2006 | 1 | 1 |
| Four Winds Windsport | 2006 | 0 | 5 |
Other trailer hitches recalls in 2005
12 of the 562 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2005 concerned the trailer hitches; FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL filed 38 campaigns in all.
| 05V556000 16 Dec 2005 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 05V458000 5 Oct 2005 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 05V443000 29 Sept 2005 | WEEKEND WARRIOR TRAILERS INC. |
| 05V403000 13 Sept 2005 | FONTAINE TRAILER COMPANY |
| 05V383000 6 Sept 2005 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 05V286000 20 Jun 2005 | HAULMARK INDUSTRIES INC. |
| 05V248000 2 Jun 2005 | ALFA LEISURE,INC. |
| 05V238000 20 May 2005 | SKYLINE CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2005