CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS BUILT WITH 16" STEEL WHEELS MAY LEAK AT THE VALVE STEM DURING INFLATION

Jun 25, 2007 — Recall Campaign #07V286000

CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS BUILT WITH 16" STEEL WHEELS MAY LEAK AT THE VALVE STEM DURING INFLATION OR WHEN CHECKING THE AIR PRESSURE DUE TO IMPROPER SEATING OF THE VALVE STEM. SOME MODELS HAVE ALUMINUM WHEELS WITH A STEEL SPARE AND ONLY THE SPARE IS AFFECTED. INDICATION OF THE DEFECT OCCURS WHEN APPLYING SIDEWAYS PRESSURE TO THE VALVE STEM (SUCH AS CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE). AIR WILL LEAK THROUGH THE VALVE HOLE IN THE RIM.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 995 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

07V286000

Manufacturer:	Keystone RV Company
Recall date:	June 25, 2007
NHTSA Campaign #:	07V286000
Units affected:	995

Description:: CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS BUILT WITH 16" STEEL WHEELS MAY LEAK AT THE VALVE STEM DURING INFLATION OR WHEN CHECKING THE AIR PRESSURE DUE TO IMPROPER SEATING OF THE VALVE STEM. SOME MODELS HAVE ALUMINUM WHEELS WITH A STEEL SPARE AND ONLY THE SPARE IS AFFECTED. INDICATION OF THE DEFECT OCCURS WHEN APPLYING SIDEWAYS PRESSURE TO THE VALVE STEM (SUCH AS CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE). AIR WILL LEAK THROUGH THE VALVE HOLE IN THE RIM.
Consequeces:: CONTINUING TO PULL A VEHICLE WITH IMPROPERLY INFLATED TIRES WILL RESULT IN POOR VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASED RISK OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND A A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF THE TIRE FAILS AS A RESULT OF UNDER-INFLATION.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SNAP-IN VALVE STEM WITH A BOLT-IN VALVE STEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE RV AT 1-866-425-4369.
Notes:: KEYSTONE RECALL NO. 07-083.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2007 KEYSTONE CHALLENGER Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KEYSTONE CHALLENGER 29RLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE FROM A ROAD TRIP, HE NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS SEPARATING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE SEPARATING. THE AXLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER ANOTHER TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH THE TIRES SEPARATING AND BULGING WAS DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RV. UPDATED 08/05/11;
2007 KEYSTONE EVEREST Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KEYSTONE EVEREST RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE FRAME FRACTURING ABOVE THE ROCKER AREA OF THE FRONT AND REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NOT SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.;
2007 KEYSTONE MONTANA Complaints
WHILE TRAVELLING HOME FROM A CAMPOUT, I NOTICED EXCESSIVE SPRING IN THE FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER AT THE KING PIN. AT NEXT FUEL STOP I IDENTIFIED THAT THE HITCH BOX WELDS TO THE CAMPER FRAME WAS BROKE AND GAPPED APPROX. 1/2", THE HITCH BOX IS THE WELDED MEMBER TO THE CAMPER THAT ALLOWS THE CAMPER TO BE CONNECTED TO THE TOW VEHICLE. HAD IT COMPLETELY SEPARATED THE CAMPER WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOSE FROM THE TRUCK. THIS FRAME IS BUILT BY LIPPERT WHO PROVIDES MANY OF THE FRAMES FOR CAMPER MANUFACTURERS. I CONTACTED LIPPERT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT ISN'T WARRANTIED DUE TO AGE. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD LAST LONGEST OF ANYTHING ELSE ON A CAMPER IN MY OPINION. SEVERE DAMAGE AND DEATH COULD RESULT IF THIS COMPONENT FAILS AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH TRAFFIC.;
2007 KEYSTONE MOUNTAINEER Complaints
FIXING TO GO ON A TRIP IN OUR TRAVEL TRAILER MY HUSBAND DOES A PRE TRIP INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED ALL THE VALVE STEMS WERE CRACKED WE HAD TO HAVE A ROAD SIDE SERVICE GUY COME OUT AND CHANGE ALL THE VALVE STEMS FOR US COME TO FIND OUT OUR VALVE STEMS ARE ON THE RECALL TR 413. *TR;