2007 Fleetwood Avalon

Defect. ON CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, THE POWER LIFT ROOF SYSTEM, WHICH CONSISTS OF A POWER LIFT MOTOR AND CURRENT LIMITER CONTROLLER, GENERATES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF IMPACT TORQUE IF THE POWER LIFT IS OPERATED WITH THE 30A POWER CORD PLUGGED INTO A 110V AC POWER SOURCE (WITH OR WITHOUT A BATTERY).

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE FAILURE IN ONE OF THE SHEAR PINS RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER'S LIFT SYSTEM. THIS COULD ALLOW THE ROOF TO FREE-FALL FROM THE RAISED POSITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY, VEHICLE AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TWO WARNING STICKERS THAT EXPLAINS THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE POWER LIFT ACCESSORY USING A BATTERY ONLY. ONE STICKER WILL BE PLACED AT THE REAR OF THE TRAILER NEXT TO THE CURRENT LIMITER. THE SECOND STICKER WILL BE PLACED NEXT TO THE 30A POWER CORD OUTLET. IN ADDITION, FLEETWOOD FOLDING TRAILERS WILL SEND A COPY OF THE OPERATION MANUAL THAT EMPHASIZES THE BATTERY-ONLY OPERATION OF THIS TRAILER ACCESSORY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD FOLDING TRAILERS AT 1-814-443-7367.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FLEETWOOD AVALON CAMPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON LIFTING HIS POWER LIFT ROOF SYSTEM, THE ROOF FELL BACK INTO HIS ARMS AND WAS UNABLE TO BE LIFTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V464000(EQUIPMENT) WHICH HE LINKED TO HIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL LOCAL CAMPER DEALERS BUT NONE OF THEM WERE ABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURERS AND THEY ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE RECALL HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE CAMPER DOES NOT HAVE AN ODOMETER BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

NO INCIDENTS, CRASHES, OR INJURIES - THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES A RECALL NOTICE AND THE REMEDY. FLEETWOOD SENT US A RECALL ON OUR 2007 AVALON, AS THE POWER LIFT WAS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER WHEN IT IS POWERED BY THE 30A (110V) POWER SUPPLY. I SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICES PERSON (BILL) IN THE SOMERSET, PA, PLANT WHO STATED THAT THE LIFT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE USED WITH THE 110V POWER, BECAUSE IT CREATES TOO MUCH TORQUE WHICH CAN SHEAR THE STOPS AND CAUSE THE ROOF TO FALL DOWN. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE REMEDY IS TO INSTALL A LOWER TORQUE UNIT, AND PLACE TWO STICKERS WARNING THE OWNER/OPERATOR NOT TO USE THE POWER LIFT (YES, EVEN THE NEW-LOWER TORQUE VERSION) WITH THE 110V AS DAMAGE CAN STILL OCCUR. IT IS ONLY TO BE USED WITH THE 12V POWER SUPPLY. THIS UPSET ME AS CUSTOMER, AND I TOLD HIM THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE SOLUTION IS NO BETTER THAN THE PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IF THE DAMAGE CAN STILL OCCUR IF THE OWNER/OPERATOR MISTAKENLY USES THE 110V POWER SUPPLY INSTEAD OF THE INTENDED 12V SUPPLY. THE INTENT OF THE STICKER IS TO ALLOW FLEETWOOD TO AVOID ANY FURTHER LIABILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT, AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. IF THE POWER LIFT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE OPERATED WITH THE 110V POWER SUPPLY, THEN WHY IS IT CONNECTED TO THE 110V POWER SUPPLY. IF IT IS INTENDED TO OPERATE SOLELY OFF OF THE 12V POWER SUPPLY, THEN IT SHOULD BE HOOKED UP ONLY TO THAT POWER SUPPLY. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST APPROPRIATE FIX, AND WOULD HAVE TRULY RESOLVED ANY AND ALL POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. THE CURRE