2016 INTERNATIONAL LF687 Complaints

Driver Fatality RF steer tire (RoadMaster RM180+ 295/75R22.5) failed while driving on Interstate at 65 mph pulling a flatdeck trailer loaded with lumber. Vehicle departed the highway into a concrete ditch and the load from the trailer came forward crushing the cab of the tractor.

Minimizer sells a piece of plastic that bolts to the top of semi truck 5th wheel and under trailers. Minimizer claims this plastic is designed for frequent drop and hook applications. The plastic can't handle the huge forces between semi truck and trailer and is easily pushed off the 5th wheel leaving only the bolts sticking up out of the top of the 5th wheel. When this happens there is no grease between the trailer and 5th wheel plate, only the bolts sticking up and out of the top of the 5th wheel. As you can imagine the bolts dig into the underside of the trailer making steering a problem on the snow covered roadway. Minimizer Document #10005364 says to "continue to follow 5th wheel manufacturer's lubrication and maintenance recommendations for the locking mechanism and king pin." which requires grease and greasy parts to be in very close proximity to the plastic. The plastic cannot handle the grease, fact is, In the same document the Warranty excludes damage caused by exposure to chemicals such as grease. The plastic pushed off the truck in less then one week, which created a mechanical emergency. The truck and driver can't do anymore work until the nuts and bolts are removed from the 5th wheel plate and the 5th wheel is properly re-greased. The plastic cannot handle trailer drop and hook or be touched by grease.