The defect
Charles Machine Works Inc (Charles Machine) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ditch Witch T18 tandem axle trailers manufactured January 1, 2013, to February 15, 2015, and with or without vacuum excavators mounted on them. The wheel hubs of the affected trailers may have incorrect bearing pre-loads which can cause the trailer wheels to lock up.
The risk
A trailer wheel lock up would increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Charles Machine will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the axles, and replace the bearings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 8, 2015. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481. Charles Machine's number for this recall is ID #0377453.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Charles Machine Ditch Witch T18 | 2013, 2014, 2015 |
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Machine Ditch Witch T18 | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Charles Machine Ditch Witch T18 | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| Charles Machine Ditch Witch T18 | 2015 | 0 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2015
64 of the 863 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2015 concerned the suspension; Charles Machine Works Inc filed 8 campaigns in all.
| 15V863000 22 Dec 2015 | Kaufman Trailers |
| 15V838000 14 Dec 2015 | Charmac Trailers Inc. |
| 15V784000 23 Nov 2015 | DS Corp DBA Crossroads RV |
| 15V753000 13 Nov 2015 | Trails West Manufacturing Of Idaho, Inc. |
| 15V727000 3 Nov 2015 | Newmar Corporation |
| 15V725000 3 Nov 2015 | Prevost Cars, Inc. |
| 15V654000 14 Oct 2015 | Newmar Corporation |
| 15V649000 13 Oct 2015 | Great Dane Trailers |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2015