DUTCHMEN Complaints

FOR OUR FIRST LONG DISTANT TRIP FROM NC TO TX IN OUR 2004 VICTORY LANE DUTCHMEN 35SRV 5TH WHEEL CAMPER, WE CHECKED ALL TIRES (CARLISLE LT235 85R16) AND PRESSURE BEFORE LEAVING. THIS WAS ON 03/21/2005 WHEN THE FIRST BLOWOUT OCCURRED THAT ENDED UP CAUSING OVER $1800.00 IN DAMAGE AND WE HAD LESS THAN 500 MILES ON ALL THE TIRES. WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60-65 MPH ON I-40. THE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND BLEW APART. HAD TO PULL OVER 3 LANES ON I-40 TO THE SHOULDER AND CHANGE THE TIRE WHICH WAS CLOSE TO WINSTON-SALEM AT AN EXIT RAMP THAT HAD A BOTTLE NECK OF TRAFFIC AT RUSH HOUR. WE CHANGED THE TIRE AND HAD TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER SPARE TO BUY. ON THE WAY BACK FROM TX TO NC, WE HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT OF CARLISLE TIRE #2 ALMOST IN THE SAME LOCATION. WE STILL HAD UNDER 2000 MILES ON THE TIRES. HAD TO LOOK AND PAY FOR ANOTHER SPARE TIRE. ONLY MADE A COUPLE MORE LOCAL TRIPS AFTER THAT TO THE NEAREST CAMPGROUND UNTIL 10/14/2005. WE MADE A TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH ABOUT 155 MILES AWAY. WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 100 MILES GOING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN A BLOWOUT OF CARLISLE TIRE #3. CHANGED TIRE WITH SPARE AND WAS LOOKING TO BUY ANTHER SPARE WHEN ANOTHER BLOWOUT OF CARLISLE #4 HAPPENED ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER. NO SPARE THIS TIME. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND COULD NOT GET OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO MOVE TO. WE GOT LUCKY AND A MAN CAME BUY ON A TRACTOR AND HELPED US GET TO A PLACE TO GET A TIRE. THIS COST US MOST OF THAT VACATION DAY JUST CHANGING AND LOOKING FOR TIRES. AND WE STILL HAD UNDER 3000 MILES ON THE OLDEST TIRES THAT HAD A BLOWOUT. WE HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIRE PROBLEMS AND IT HAS CAUSED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO RAISE MY PREMIUMS AND CEDE MY POLICY TO THE NC INSURANCE FACILITY. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON OTHER FORUMS, THESE TIRES ARE A VERY POOR QUALITY/DEFECTIVE AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS INJURY. *NM

DT: WHILE ON VACATION, THE CALLER NOTICED THAT THE CABINETS ON THE CAMPER TRAILER WERE CROOKED AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE BUMPER WAS BENT AND THE WHOLE FRAME WAS BENT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CALLER STATED THAT THE CABINETS WERE A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING THE CAMPER TRAILER. DEALER SAID THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE CALLER'S INSURANCE COMPANY TO CALL THEM. MANUFACTURER HAD THE TRAILER NOW AND THEY FOUND A SMALL DENT LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER'S REAR FRAME. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE DENT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CALLER DISAGREED. THE TRAILER IS A DUTCHMEN AEROLITE. *AK THE FUSE WAS BLOWN IN THE WATER PUMP, THE SCREEN DOOR WAS BENT, THE AC HAD AN ODOR, THE KITCHEN FLOOR AND ROOF WERE DAMAGED. THE DRAIN IN THE SINK WAS LEAKING. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 7-12-05 REGARDING THE GAS REFRIGERATOR ON 1995 DUTCHMEN TRAILER. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THE PARTS SINCE THEN. THE MANUFACTURER KEPT TELLING THE DEALER THEY WILL HAVE THE PARTS IN THREE WEEKS, AND ANOTHER TIME IT WILL BE FOUR WEEKS. THE RECALL WAS IN REGARD TO A PART CALLED THE CONTROLLED GAS VALVE. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE CONTACT NOT USE THE REFRIGERATOR BECAUSE OF A CHANCE OF AN EXPLOSION OCCURRING. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT USE THE TRAILER BECAUSE OF THIS DELAY, AND WISHED TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE UNTIMELY REPAIR WORK FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE REFRIGERATOR IS NORCOLD, REFERENCE NUMBER: 77776269.*AK

**COPY OF EMAIL TO THOR CORP** A LITTLE BACK GROUND, DURING OUR WARRANTY PERIOD, WE CONTACTED THOR INDUSTRIES REFERENCE LEAKING WATER INTO THE ROOFING SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT A RECALL OF THE ROOFS WAS ORDER AND NOTICES WERE SENT TO OWNER. WHEN I MENTIONED THAT WE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT RECALL, YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED THAT "BECAUSE WE DIDN'T RESPOND, WE WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL". I ASKED WHICH ADDRESS THEY SHOWED ON FILE (WHICH WAS THE CORRECT ADDRESS), SHE MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. BECAUSE OF THE RESPONSE, I JUST WENT OUT AND RE-CHALKED THE ROOF (AND RE-CHALK, AND RE-CHALKED, YEAR AFTER YEAR). THE PLASTIC COVERING OF THE ROOF HAS CRACKED IN SO MANY PLACES THAT NO MATTER HAVE MUCH I CHALK WATER HAS STILL CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE CAMPER IS USE ONCE A YEAR FOR 4 DAYS DURING A STATE HORSE SHOW. THE REST OF THE TIME, THE CAMPER IS COVERED. WELL, THIS PAST WEEKEND, WHILE AT THE SHOW, THE ROOF COLLAPSED (THANK GOD WE HAD THE EXTRA SUPPORT ARMS IN PLACE) TRAPPING MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN THE CAMPER. DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, WE FIND THAT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST INSTANCE OF ROOF COLLAPSE DUTCHMEN HAS EXPERIENCED (SEE LINK: HTTP://WWW.KILLERPOP-UP.COM/ ) [XXX] **REPLY FROM THOR CORP** DEAR [XXX]: I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR BOTH THE ISSUES YOU HAVE HAD WITH YOUR TRAILER AND FOR THE APPARENT MISINFORMATION YOU HAVE RECEIVED. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHO GAVE YOU THE INFORMATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ROOF OF YOUR TRAILER. WE HAVE NOT EVER ISSUED A RECALL ON THE ROOF OF YOUR TRAILER. AS FOR THE STATEMENT THAT YOU HAVE NOT CONTACTED US IN A TIMELY MANOR, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND SINCE WE DID NOT EVER ISSUE A RECALL. AGAIN WE DO APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED, HOWEVER SINCE THE LEAK ISSUE IS RELATED TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE WE ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DUE TO THE DESIGN OF DUTCHMAN POP-UP CAMPER ROOFS FOR THIS YEAR, WATER IS ALLOWED TO ENTER ROOF CAUSING WOOD TO ROT AND FAILURE OF ROOF SUPPORTS. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE ROOF.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1998 DUTCHMEN 'FOUR WINDS' TRAVEL TRAILER WITH VIN: [XXX]. THE LIGHTS IN THE TRAILER ARE GETTING TOO HOT, IN FACT THE BULBS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC OF THE LIGHT LENSES. I CHECKED WITH THE MFGR TO MAKE SURE THE PROPER BULBS/FIXTURES WERE PRESENT AND THEY WERE. THE MFGR SUGGESTS USING LOWER WATTAGE BULBS, BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THE ONLY LOWER WATTAGE BULBS THAT FIT DO NOT GIVE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING. THE BULB CALLED FOR IS A TYPE 904. I FEEL IF THESE LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON THERE COULD BE A FIRE OR MELTING PLASTIC DRIPPING AND CAUSING SEVERE BURNS. THANK YOU. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

CARLISLE TIRES ON TRAVEL TRAILER, HAD 1 TIRE BLOW OUT WHILE TRAVELING,LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEM. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. DAMAGE TO NEW TRAILER AND COSTS OUT OF MY POCKET FOR JUNK TIRES. *NM

LEAVING FROM HOME ON JUNE 29, 2005 FOR CAMPING 4 HOURS AWAY. OUR DUTCHMEN 5TH WHEEL IS 2 YEARS OLD AND WE HAVE CAMPED IN IT AROUND OUR AREA 5 TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. WE WERE TRAVLING DOWN I-40 WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD BANG, DIDN'T THINK IT WAS US SINCE OUR TIRES WERE NEW. I LOOKED IN THE SIDE MIRROR AND SAW INSULATION AND KNEW A TIRE HAD EXPLODED. WE PULLED OVER, MY HUSBAND PUT ON THE SPARE, GOT BACK ON THE ROAD. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER A SECOND TIRE EXPLODED. WE MADE IT TO AN EXIT AND A SUPER CENTER WAL-MART. THE OTHER TIRES AT THAT POINT HAD DEVELOPED AN ORANGE TINT TO THEM. AFTER THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THEM, WE WERE ADVISED NOT TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER ON THE REMAINING TIRES. AT THAT POINT WE HAD 4 BRAND NEW TIRES PUT ON. THERE HAS BEEN DAMAGE DONE UNDERNEATH OUR CAMPER. OUR CAMPER DEALER HAS FAXED AN ESTIMATE OF DAMAGES TO CARLISLE TIRE & WHEEL. WE ALSO SAVED THE TIRES AND UPS PICKED THEM UP AND DELIVERED THEM BACK TO CARLISLE TIRE & WHEEL. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE TIRE COMPANY AND SENT THEM ALL THE DOCUMENTATION. NOW I'M WAITING ON A RESPONSE AND WAS NOT GIVEN A TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN THAT WILL BE.

I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS COMPLAINT BELONGS WITH NHTSA OR ANOTHER AGENCY. THE ISSUE INVOLVES THE 120 VOLT AC WIRING OF A TRAVEL TRAILER (RECREATIONAL VEHICLE) AND WOULD NOT POSE A HAZARD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SPECIFIC TRAILER MODEL IS A DUTCHMEN AEROLITE A30BHSL; THIS IS NOT LISTED IN THE DROP-DOWN BOXES AS A MODEL SELECTION. I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN WITH ME (IT'S IN MY TOW VEHICLE AT HOME, CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST). I DO HAVE A SERIES OF DIGITAL PHOTOS (UNRETOUCHED) THAT SHOW THE AFFECTED AREA. AFTER A TRIP WITH MY TRAILER, I PARKED IT AT HOME AND STARTED INVESTIGATING AN OVERLOAD IN MY 12 VOLT SYSTEM. I COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE 120 V AC TO 12 V DC CONVERTER. HOWEVER, I FOUND A BURNED WIRE NUT ON THE FLOOR OF MY TRAILER. INVESTIGATING FURTHER, I FOUND THAT THE 120 V AC WIRING APPEARS TO HAVE ARCED RESISTIVELY (HOT TO GREEN SAFETY GROUND) UNDERNEATH THE DINETTE IN THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM. I USE THESE SPECIFIC TERMS BECAUSE NO CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS TRIPPED AND THE WIRE NUTS SHOW OBVIOUS SIGNS OF BURNS. THE TRAILER MANUFACTURER USED AN SOJ (EXTENSION CORD) TYPE CABLE BETWEEN TWO JUNCTION BOXES, AND THIS CABLE IS NOT SECURED ANYWHERE BETWEEN OR INSIDE THE TWO JUNCTION BOXES. ONLY THE WIRE NUTS HOLDING THE THREE CONDUCTORS OF THE SOJ CABLE TO THE ROMEX FIXED WIRING HOLD THIS CABLE IN PLACE. THE CABLE IS USED BECAUSE IT IS LINKING THE STATIONARY TRAILER FLOOR WITH THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM. I THINK THAT THE CIRCUIT ARCED BECAUSE OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM PULLING THE SOJ CABLE. I HAVE OWNED THE TRAILER FOR JUST OVER A YEAR AND HAVE DEPLOYED AND RETRACTED THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM DOZENS OF TIMES--IT'S NECESSARY TO DO SO TO USE THE TRAILER AS A TEMPORARY LIVING QUARTERS. THE TRAILER IS AT AN RV DEALER (POULSBO RV, RIDGEFIELD WASHINGTON) RIGHT NOW, BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE VOICED MY OPINION TO THE DEALER THAT I THINK THIS IS A POOR DESIGN THAT COULD BE UNSAFE, AND HAVE ASKED THEM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AT NO CHARGE.

THE TRAILER STARTED SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRES AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. CARLISLE 235/85R16, DOT 3E0R2403. *AK THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO