Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyRecall 04V-158 · Mobile Scout and Sunnybrook vehicles
SUNNYBROOK RV INC. recall 04V-158 covers 168 Mobile Scout and Sunnybrook vehicles for a trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly problem, reported to NHTSA on April 1, 2004.
Source: NHTSA recall 04V158000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH BEDROOM SLIDE OUT ROOMS, THE FRONT CROSS-MEMBER CONNECTED TO THE HITCH PIN BOX MAY NOT BE OF ADEQUATE STRENGTH.
The risk
IF OVERLOADED, EXTENSIVE USE, ADDED HITCH WEIGHT, AND/OR ROAD UNEVENNESS, STRESS ON THE C-CHANNEL COULD CAUSE THE HITCH PIN BOX TO HAVE CROWNING OR STRESS FRACTURES CAUSING THE UPPER FRAME TO DROP DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH WHEN CONNECTED TO THE TOW VEHICLE. THIS COULD AFFECT THE STEERING CAPABILITY OF THE TOWING VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix
DEALERS WILL ADD A 2" X 3" X 86" 11 GAUGE STEEL TUBE TO THE EXISTING FRONT CROSS-MEMBER AND INSPECT/REPAIR ALL WELDS, JOINTS AND STRUCTURE OF THE UPPER FRAME DECKING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUNNYBROOK AT 574-825-5250.
CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from July 22, 1996 to May 16, 1997. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.
The investigation behind this recall
- FRAME CRACKS AND FRACTURESNHTSA