The defect
Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing (Big Tex) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 10PI, 12PI, 14PI, 29SA, 30AA, 30LS, 30SA, 30SV, 35AA, 35LS, 35SA, 35SV, 45LA, 45SS, 50LA, 50SA, 60SP, 70LR, 70PI, 70SP, and 70TV utility trailers manufactured March 2013, through September 30, 2013. The affected trailers are equipped with a fold flat ramp gate system. Vibrations from towing the trailer may cause the ramp gate latches to fail.
The risk
Should both ramp gate latches fail while the trailer is in tow, the ramp gate will fall from the upright, stowed position into the down position, and be dragged behind the trailer. This could result in an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy
Big Tex will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental gate latch, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2013. Owners may contact Big Tex at 1-800-594-5637.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BIG TEX 10PI | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 12PI | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 14PI | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 29SA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 30AA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 30LS | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 30SA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 30SV | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 35AA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 35LS | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 35SA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 35SV | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 45LA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 45SS | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 50LA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 50SA | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 60SP | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 70LR | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 70PI | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 70SP | 2013, 2014 |
| BIG TEX 70TV | 2013, 2014 |
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIG TEX 10PI | 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 10PI | 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 12PI | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 12PI | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 14PI | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 14PI | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 29SA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 29SA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30AA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30AA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30LS | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30LS | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30SA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30SA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30SV | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 30SV | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35AA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35AA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35LS | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35LS | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35SA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35SA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35SV | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 35SV | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 45LA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 45LA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 45SS | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 45SS | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 50LA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| BIG TEX 50LA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
Other latches/locks/linkages recalls in 2013
66 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the latches/locks/linkages; Big Tex Trailer Manufacturing, Inc. filed 6 campaigns in all.
| 13V647000 26 Dec 2013 | Bay Bridge Manufacturing LLC |
| 13V644000 24 Dec 2013 | Cargo South, Inc. |
| 13V646000 20 Dec 2013 | Riverside Travel Trailer, Inc. |
| 13V629000 18 Dec 2013 | Contract Manufacturer, LLC |
| 13V595000 18 Dec 2013 | Spartan Motors, Inc. |
| 13V626000 17 Dec 2013 | CJay Trailers Inc. |
| 13V625000 17 Dec 2013 | Monaco RV, LLC |
| 13V648000 16 Dec 2013 | Sharp Manufacturing, LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013