2004 Fleetwood Gearbox

Defect. ON CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SIEMENS Q CIRCUIT BREAKER, THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE MIS-MARKED.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED CONDUCTOR IN A SUSTAINED OVERLOAD CONDITION WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

TONGUE WEIGHT AT THE PIN IS AT 1,860 POUNDS DRY. AMOUNT OF TONGUE FLEX HAS BENT THE PROTECTIVE DIAMOND PLATE AT FRONT OF TRAILER. REESE 1200 POUND HITCH AND DUAL CAM SWAY CONTROL IS ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF SEVERE WEAR AND FATIGUE. AFTER COMPLAINTS OF WEIGHT THE DIAMOND PLATE WAS TRIMMED UP AND MANUFACTURER HAS OFFERED TO WELD IN A BALLIST TUBE OR PLATE AT THE REAR OF TRAILER OF ABOUT 500 POUNDS. THIS TRAILER IS UNSAFE AND A TONGUE FAILURE CAN OCCUR AND KILL SOMEONE. THE TONGUE WEIGHT WHEN FULLY LOADED WITH FLUIDS, CARGO, ETC. EXCEEDS 2300 POUNDS AS A LARGE PORTION OF THE 120 GALLON FRESH WATER TANK IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE FORWARD AXLE. IT TOOK ABOUT 2500 POUNDS OF BALLAST TO GET THE TONGUE TO AN ACCEPTABLE WEIGHT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM *NM

EXCESSIVE TONGUE WEIGHT RESULTING IN THE BENDING OF THE TONGUE FRAMEWORK, DAMAGE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE AS WELL AS CAUSING UNSAFE TOWING CONDITIONS. UNLADEN DRY TONGUE WEIGHT IS 17%, @1390 #'S. WHEN LOADED AT MAXIMUM MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION OF 11,700 #S, TONGUE WEIGHT WILL EXCEED 1700 #'S. BOTH WEIGHTS EXCEED MAX LOADS FOR FACTORY INSTALLED CLASS 5 HITCH ON FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCKS. *NM