2013 Prime Time Crusader

Defect. Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

Risk. If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 PRIME TIME CRUSADER EQUIPPED WITH POWER KING TOWMAX TIRES, SIZE: 225/80/16R (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT CONTINUED OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TOW COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP WHERE ALL THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE DOT NUMBER AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

I PURCHASED 4 MARATHON TIRES ST235/80R16 E TIRES ON 3/17/15 FROM MCGEE COMMERCIAL TIRE IN TAMPA FOR MY FIFTH WHEEL. THANKSGIVING 11/24/16 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON I95 SPLITTING THE TIRE RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE TREAD ALL THE WAY AROUND. THEN ON 2/23/2017 ANOTHER ONE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FL TURNPIKE THE SAME AS BEFORE. AGAIN ON 2/26/2017 ANOTHER ONE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FL TURNPIKE. THE TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED PRIOR TO USE, THE TREAD WAS LIKE NEW AND SPEED OF TRAVEL WAS AROUND 65 MPH. 3 OUT OF 4 OF THE GY MARATHONS THAT I PURCHASED HAVE BLOWN OUT. ALL HAD THE SAME DOT NUMBER AND DATE OF MANUFACTURE.

ON OUR 2013 CRUSADER WE EXPERIENCED OUR FIRST BLOWOUT. ON 4/25/14 ABOUT 4 MILES FROM HOME TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR ON NEWLY BLACKTOP ROAD(LEFT REAR). WITH ONLY 2000 MILES ON THE CAMPER NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. ON 10/24/14 ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR OUR SECOND BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON RIGHT FRONT. THIS TIME EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO SLIDE TRIM, TIRE SKIRT, STEPS, TIRE AND RIM. THE TIRES WERE POWER KING TOMAX, ST235/80R16 E. WE FEEL THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR