2015 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds

Defect. Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. 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. Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, 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.

THE FOLLOWING ISSUE IS COMMON TO THE THOR MOTOR COACH WHICH IS BUILT ON THE F550 CHASSIS AS IS ATTESTED TO IN NUMEROUS RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) FORUMS. THIS ISSUE IS DURING REFUELING THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF FROM THE FUEL NOZZLE CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF. THE OPERATOR IS REQUIRED TO STAND THERE AND SLOWLY FILL THE TANK AND EVEN THEN THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF SHUTS OFF MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. THE RESULT IS THAT THE FUEL TANK OVERFILLS AND THE FUEL SPEWS FORTH FROM THE FILLER NECK ALL OVER THE GROUND AND THE OPERATOR. DURING THE FOREGOING THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND OCCURS AT ALL SERVICE STATIONS. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE IN EITHER THE DESIGN OR INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. AS PREVIOUSLY STATED THE ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE RV FORUMS AND OCCURS WITH EVERY REFUELING OPERATION. TO FURTHER COMPOUND THE ISSUE FORD POINTS THE FINGER AT THOR AND THOR POINTS THE FINGER AT FORD AND NOTHING GETS RESOLVED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 THOR FOUR WINDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER INSIDE DUAL WHEEL TIRE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE TIRE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A RUBBER VALVE STEM AND SHOULD HAVE A METAL VALVE STEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

DRIVING OUR NEW 2015 THOR FOUR WINDS 26A MOTORHOME ON THE EXPRESSWAY - OVER 45-50 MPH --WAS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE. THE MOTORHOME WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO KEEP A "DEATH GRIP" ON THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TRY TO KEEP THE MOTORHOME ON THE ROAD! WE LIKENED IT TO STEERING A LARGE RUBBER BALL (SWAYING WITH A MAJOR AMT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL). AFTER ANOTHER ISSUE WITH A LEAK IN OUR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSED FORD TO TOW THE MOTORHOME TO A FORD LG TRUCK DEALER; WE HAD THE FORD CHASIS ALIGNED -- HOPING THAT IT WOULD ALLEVIATE THE SWAYING AND STEERING ISSUE. IT DID NOT. AFTER CONTACTING THOR, WE HAD A MORE EXTENSIVE ALIGNMENT DONE AT ANOTHER FORD LG TRUCK DEALER, AT THOR'S RECOMMENDATION -- WHICH HELPED A BIT, BUT WE STILL EXPERIENCED SWAYING, BUT COULD NOW DRIVE AT 55 MPH UNTIL IT WAS UNSAFE. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A PART ON ORDER WITH CAMPING WORLD IN NEW PORT RICHEY, FL THAT IS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION AND SWAY. WE INTEND TO SUBMIT ALL OF OUR BILLS TO THOR FOR REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I'LL TRY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THIS POSTING, IF THAT'S AT ALL POSSIBLE. (EXPECTING TO HAVE RESULTS BY JUNE 15, 2015). ADDITIONALLY, FORD & THOR ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUES WE'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING! (ADDITIONALLY, TWO OF THE OUT SIDE COMPARTMENTS OF THE MOTORHOME ARE LEAKING). WE INTEND TO HAVE THESE FIXED AS WELL AT CAMPING WORLD NEXT WEEK.