2017 Coachmen Freedom Express

Defect. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.

Defect. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational vehicles, models FET28SE, FET282BHDS, FET282BHDSLE, FET281RLDS, FET281RLDSLE, FET29SE, FET292BHDS and FET292BHDSLE, manufactured May 16, 2016, to July 19, 2016. These vehicles may have insufficient space between the slideroom driveshaft and the driver's side tires, causing the tires to rub.

Risk. If the driveshaft rubs against the tires, tire failure may result, possibly causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 220-07192016-0229.

Frame failure occurred bilaterally where the tongue of the travel trailer was attached to the undercarriage. Cracks were vertical and almost completely through the structural supports. This caused the I beam to buckle. Fortunately, the breaks were discovered just prior to fully separating. We had a trailer repair place examine and provide an estimate for repairs, which was $20,000. Our insurance company sent out an inspector who said that there was rust and the damage had been existing for awhile. Our claim was denied. There were no warning systems in place. Everything else on the trailer was working fine. As we were towing it, my husband thought the front of the trailer looked lower than usual. A review of the web indicates that trailer frames made by Lippert during this period were subpar.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS. WHILE CHECKING THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED CRACKS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPERS INN RV OF RALEIGH (LOCATED AT 1501 OUTLET CENTER DR, SELMA, NC 27576, (984) 223-2203), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

2017 COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS 276RKDS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IMPROPER MOUNTING OF PROPANE BOTTLES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIRES THAT REST ON THE LEAF SPRINGS MAKING CHAFFING AND SHORTING INEVITABLE. THE UNDERBELLY WAS NOT HEATED AS STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER EXTERIOR ELECTRICAL WIRES HAVE NO CONDUIT. THERE ARE OPENINGS UNDERNEATH THE SLIDE OUT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW INTRUSION OF INSECT, RODENTS AND DEBRIS AS WELL AS, RELEASING HEAT. THE INTERIOR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND LIGHT FIXTURES ARE INSTALLED INTO THE DOORSKIN PANELING, NOT INTO THE FRAME. THEY EITHER FALL OR BREAK.THE ROOF AND AWNING WERE POORLY ASSEMBLED. VARIOUS DOORS AND TRIMMINGS WERE FALLING APART. THE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY CAUSING THE BOX LID TO BLOW OFF. THE WINDOWS DO NOT CLOSE CORRECTLY AND THE SCREENS DO NOT FIT. THE REFRIGERATOR DOES NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. THE TRAILER LEAKED BLACK SEWAGE AT THE VALVE. THE SINK WAS POORLY DESIGNED. *JS