1997 Beaver Patriot

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, FIFTH WHEELS AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 1200LR AND 1200RIM, THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE LIQUID SOLUTION SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE SEALED, PRESSURIZED COOLING UNIT THROUGH A SMALL CRACK.

Risk. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUALLY OPERATED, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COOLING UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. 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 NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005 OR MONACO AT 574-862-7211.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, MODEL 431-3 ZONE WITH ENGINE LOOP. FIBERGLASS INSULATING MATERIAL LOCATED UNDER THE BURNER HEAD ON THE FLOOR OF THE HEATER ENCLOSURE, CAN BECOME SOAKED WITH FLUIDS (ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND/OR DIESEL FUEL).

Risk. IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy. VEHICLE SYSTEMS INC. WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION FROM BENEATH THE DIESEL HEATING UNIT AS WELL AS FROM BEHIND THE CONTROL THERMOSTAT AND AIR-CONDITIONING HEATING ELEMENT ACCESS COVERS.

I PURCHASED OUR 1997 BEAVER PATRIOT MOTORHOME USED IN OCTOBER 3, 2006. ON OUR MAIDEN TRIP THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDSHIELD BROKE DUE TO A BAD FRONT SHOCK ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE UNIT TO BOTTOM OUT. TWO MONTHS LATER WE WERE TRAVELING IN ARIZONA ON I-10 AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. IT WAS THE PASSENGERS FRONT SHOCK MOUNT - IT HAD TORN FROM THE FRAME A WAS HITTING THE FRAME. AFTER CALL THE MANUFACTURER I WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY COULD DO, TAKE IT TO A FRAME SHOP AND HAVE IT RE-WELDED ON AND REPLACE THE SHOCK. THREE MONTHS LATER TRAVELING OVER LOVELAND PASS IN COLORADO THE DRIVERS FRONT SHOCK MOUNT TORE FROM THE FRAME AND TOOK OUT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE GOING TO THE CALIPER LEAVING ME WITH NO FRONT BRAKES. AGAIN I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE DONE A INTERNET SEARCH FINDING OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN AND TO CORRECT IT A SECOND SET OF SHOCKS WERE ADDED IN MODELS AFTER 1997 (1 SHOCK PER AIR BAG). OTHERS THAT HAD THE PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THE FACTORY REPAIRED WITH THE SECOND SET OF SHOCKS TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. I NOW HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE FRONT TIRES BECAUSE THE SHOCK HAVE FAILED AGAIN CAUSING THE TIRES TO CUP. MONROE, BILSTIEN AND KONI (SHOCK MANUFACTURERS) WON'T WARRANTY THEIR SHOCKS BECAUSE THEY SHOW THAT THIS MOTORHOME NEEDS 4 SHOCKS PER AXLE AND I ONLY HAVE 2, SO IT IS FAILING BECAUSE OF IMPROPER USE. MONACO PURCHASED BEAVER IN 2000 AND CLAIMS ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY, HANDLING, BRAKING AND TIRE ISSUE. ONE COUP