Ladder Weakness Leads To Motor Home Recall

Dec. 26, 2016 – Elkhart, Ind. – Forest River Inc. has announced the recall of several model motor homes with defective ladders, which could prove to be dangerous.

The Defect

The recall will affect the following four model years of vehicles:

  • 2015-2017 FR3 motor homes manufactured between Sept.24, 2014 and May 12, 2016
  • 2015-2017 Prime Time Spartan toy haulers manufactured between June 10, 2014 and May 31, 2016
  • 2013-2016 Palomino Columbus toy haulers manufactured between Oct. 4, 2012 and Dec. 4, 2015
  • 2015-2016 XLR Thunderbolt and Nitro toy haulers manufactured between May 23, 2014 and Nov. 23, 2016

The ladders on these vehicles are welded to mounting plates that may separate from their hinges, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The inadequate welding meant that if too much weight was applied to the ladders, they might separate from their vehicles.

Timeline of Events

  • Nov. 2, 2016 – The Office of Corporate Compliance at Forest River learned of the possible defect from Christianson Industries and launched an investigation of the problem.
  • Nov. 3-4, 2016 – Forest River confirmed that the ladders it had installed on its vehicles were made by Christianson Industries. The company then concluded that a recall would be the best course of action.

Resolution

All owners will be notified of the recall. Forest Hills plans to mail out a repair kit to all owners that will allow them to make the necessary fixes. This kit will contain six brackets, six bolts and six lock washers, as well as mechanical fasteners. These will be shipped out free of charge.

adminLadder Weakness Leads To Motor Home Recall