2012 Forest River Vlite

Defect. Forest River is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Rockwood, Windjammer, Vlite and Flagstaff travel trailers manufactured February 3, 2012, through February 4, 2013. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.

Risk. As a result, the tire may become damaged and possibly blow out which may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add a lift kit between the frame and the axle mounting brackets, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-825-7178.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER VLITE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MORE THAN SIX TMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORING WAS BUCKLING ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE FLOOR ENTRY DOOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLOORING WITH FLOORING THAT WAS SHORTER THAN THE ORIGINAL FLOORING. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED THREE TIRES BLOWING OUT DUE TO THE FRAME NOT SUPPORTING THE WHEELS FOR THE TRAILER. THE WHEELS STRUCK THE TOP OF THE FENDER BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE TO SUPPORT THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SIDEWALL CRACKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SIX TIMES, THE UNDER BODY FRACTURED DUE TO THE BOLTS SHEARING OFF WITHOUT WARNING, A NEW AXLE POD WAS INSTALLED MORE THAN 5 TIMES AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FRAME FAILED TO SUPPORT THE TRAVEL TRAILER AND THE FRAMING WAS 8 INCHES INSTEAD OF 6 INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRAMING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE ROOF LEAKING AND WALL CRACKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE REPAIR FOR THE TRAVEL TRAILER AND WANTED THE CONTACT TO SIGN A WAIVER TO PICK UP THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TRAIL EXPRESS TIRE ST 225/75R15 LR C DOT# 1KMM16A 2311 HAD A SUDDEN SIDEWALL AT TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING A BLOWOUT. MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND VERIFIED AT 50PSI AND NO VISIBLE CRACKS OR DEFORMITIES AT BEGINNING OF TRIP 25 MILES BEFORE.

TRAIL EXPRESS TIRE ST 225/75R15 LR C DOT# 1KMM16A 2311 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND LOSS OF AIR RESULTING IN MODERATE VEHICLE DAMAGE. THIS TIRE FAILURE HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES AFTER A PREVIOUS TIRE FAILURE OF SAME BRAND AND DOT#. *TR