2011 Coachmen Freelander

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.

MY 2011 COACHMEN FREELANDER HAD A FAILURE OF THE MAIN DOOR LATCH/LOCK MECHANISM MANUFACTURED BY TRIMARK CORPORATION MODEL #060-0650. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN US BEING LOCKED OUT OF THE MOTORHOME IN THE DARK OF NIGHT IN A REMOTE AREA OF THE SIERRA'S CA. AFTER JIMMYING A WINDOW OPEN AND GAINING ACCESS INTO THE MOTORHOME, I PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE INSIDE LATCH PLATE OFF. AFTER REMOVING THE PLATE, I FOUND THE PROBLEM, 'A BROKEN PLUNGER'; IT WAS THE THIN METAL IN THE PLUNGER THAT HAD BROKEN. WHEN I ARRIVED BACK INTO TOWN I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM? SO, I CONTACTED TRIMARK AND THEY SAID THE REPLACEMENT # 37575-01-K HAS A STEEL PLUNGER FOR $200 VS THE DIECAST ZINC ALLOY FOR AROUND $100. I CHECKED THE MARKET, AND NO ONE HAS A STEEL VERSION OTHER THAN DIRECTLY FROM TRIMARK; LET'S MAKE IT CHEAP SO IT BREAKS, THEN MANUFACTURE A BETTER ONE BUT ONLY SELL DIRECT AND CHARGE TWICE AS MUCH. WHEN I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL SHE SAID I DON'T KNOW CONTACT THE SELLER OF THE RV? WHEN I SAID IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE CAN YOU WORK WITH ME, SHE SAID NOTHING. I CAN REALLY SEE THIS BEING A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION IN MANY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES FOR HUMANS AND THEIR PETS.