2004 Dutchmen Trailer Problems

TIRE FAILURE ON 2004 DUTCHMEN CLASSIC 29 FT 5TH WHEEL TRAILER PURCHASED NEW IN FEB 2005. FIRST FAILURE MAY 25,2007 SECOND FAILURE SEPT 15,2007 WITH RESULTS OF DAMAGE TO SKIRT OVER TIRES. CALLED YOUNGBLOODS RV CENTER IN PADUCAH, KY WHERE WE BOUGHT THE 5TH WHEEL AND THEY SAID TO CALL DUTCHMEN, THE MANUFACTURER. DUTCHMEN SAID TO CALL CARLISLE TIRES AND RIMS. THE TIRE SIZE IS ST 225 75R 15 RADIAL TRAIL. CARLISLE SAID TWO YEARS WARRANTY FROM TIME OF PURCHASE EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES HAD 1100 MILES ON THEM . WE FEEL THE TIRES ARE SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND TWO BLOW OUTS OUT OF THREE OUTINGS IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH. AND NO ONE SEEM TO CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE OR DEFECTIVE TIRES. THEY MORE OR LESS SAID YOUR PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING HOME TOWING A 2004 FOUR WINDS FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER ON I-95 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ,CARLISLE RADIAL TRAIL, ST225/75R15, BLEW OUT ON TREAD AREA. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON TRAILER, CARLISLE TIRES HAVE A REPUTATION FOR BLOWING OUT, AND I THOUGHT POSSIBLY THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ,BUT I COULD NOT LOCATE ONE ON THE WEB. LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON TIRES. BLOW OUT/ MESSED UP SKIRTING ON THE SIDE OF THE TRAILER. *AK

WE HAVE PURCHASED A USED CAMPER WHICH INCLUDES A SAMSUNG MICROWAVE WHICH STARTS WITHOUT PUSHING ANY BUTTONS. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES AND A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. APPARENTLY THE FORMER OWNER DID NOT RESPOND TO THE RECALL FOR THIS APPLIANCE. I HAVE FOUND EVIDENCE ONLINE FROM OTHER CAMPER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE IDENTICAL EXPERIENCE. SAMSUNG SERIAL #71QN904973K, MODEL #MR5493G. PLEASE DIRECT ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP. THANKS *TR

ON AUG 19, 2003 HAD TO REPLACE TIRE ABD BRAKE ON ALKO AXLE. OCT 15, 2003 REPLACE TWO TIRES AND BRAKES MUCH DAMAGE TO TRAILER THAT WINTER ALKO PAID TO HAVE IN ALIGNED 1 1/4 OUT OF LINE BUT DID NOT REPLACE AXLE! 2005 AUGUST BRAKE FAILURE AGAIN AND NOW NEEDED A COMPLETE $500 BRAKE REPLACEMENT OF ALL SHOES WITH AROUND 12,000 ON TRAILER. DUTCHMEN SAID NEVER HAD THIS FIND OF PROBLEM! *TR

FRAME FAILURE ON A TRAVEL TRAILER. I NOTICED UPON RETURN OF MY LAST CAMPING TRIP THAT I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE TONGUE OF THE TRAILER UP AND DOWN AROUND 3 INCHES. *TR

DT: THE CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRAVEL TRAILER. WHILE USING THE TRAILER, A FAILURE ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OCCURRED. THE FRONT TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR TIRE WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT, AND THE TREAD TO SEPARATE. HE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE UNTIL HE COULD REACH A TIRE DEALER. THE TIRE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE OTHER TIRES WERE ABOUT TO DO THE SAME THING. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER,THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRES AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE TRAILER IN WHICH WHILE REPLACING THE TIRES, HE FOUND A SOFT COPPER TUBING THAT HAD GONE THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. THIS TUBING CONNECTED THE GAS LINE TO THE WATER HEATER. THERE WAS NO SHIELD OR COVERING FOR THIS TUBING. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER TO INFORM THEM OF THIS CONCERN. *AK (11/29/05) THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT WHEN THE TRAILER WAS BEING TOWED, THE LP GAS HAD TURNED ON. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. *SC

2004 DUTCHMAN LITE 24QB-SSI WIRING MELTED CAUSING SMOKE. BATTERY POWERED APPLIANCES WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS PLUGGED IN. *KB THE SMOKING BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE HEAT. THE CONSUMER STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS NO BATTERY POWER. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT NO POWER WAS GETTING TO THE DISTRIBUTION PANEL FROM THE BATTERIES. THE MAIN LOOM THAT RUNS UNDER THE TRAILER HAD BURNED AND FUSED TOGETHER. *NM

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.

I LOOKED OUT MY RIGHT MIRROR AND SPARKS WERE COMING OUT OF THE BACK RIGHT WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OF INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND TAKE THE EXIT IN FOREST LAKE, MN TO HIGHWAY 8. I QUICKLY STOPPED MY WIFE TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE GAS BEFORE WE HAD A FIRE. I CALLED COACH-NET AND THEY DISPATCHED A SERVICE TRUCK TO COME A INSTALL MY SPARE. WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP BACK TO DULUTH. THE NEXT DAY, AUGUST 29TH. I TOOK THE CAMPER BACK TO BULLYANS FOR AN ESTIMATE OF THE DAMAGE. WHEN BULLYAN?S WAS INSPECTING THE CAMPER FOR AN ESTIMATE THEY FOUND THIS THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE REFRIGERATOR GAS LINE AND THAT IF I HAD NOT TURNED IT OFF WE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY HAD A FIRE. LATER THIS FALL THE CAMPER WAS TAKEN DOWN TO MANEY INTERNATIONAL. THE REAR AXLE WAS MANUFACTURED 1? OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DUTCHMAN TOLD BULLYAN THERE WERE DONE WITH THIS UNIT AND THAT THEY SHOULD CONTACT ALSO THE AXLE MANUFACTURE. THEY HAVE AGREED TO SEND A NEW AXLE WHICH HAS BEEN INSTALLED, BUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE LABOR FOR INSTALLING THE AXLE AND SHIPPING FOR THE RETURN THE AXLE TO SEE IF THEY WILL PAY ANY OF THE LABOR. ALSO HAS REFUSED TO PLAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT WHICH SHOWED THE AXLE TO BE OUT OF ALIGN 1?. BULLYAN ALSO ASKED THEM ABOUT ALIGNING THE NEW AXLE AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT NECESSARY SINCE THEY ARE ALIGNED AT THE FACTORY! WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE THE CAMPER BACK TO MANEYS, BUT ALSO HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE FIRST ALIGNMENT OR THE ONE WE NEED NOW! I HAVE HAD TWENTY ?TWO (22) DIFFERENT TIRES ON THE FOUR WHEELS. THE RIGHT REAR AXLE WILL HAD FOUR DIFFERENT BACKING PLATE UNITS. IT HAS BEEN ALIGNED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. IT REALLY NEEDS IT AGAIN! I HAVE A TOTAL OF LESS THAT 14,000 MILES AND REPLACED THE BRAKE CONTROLLER, BUT WE STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AXLE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 AEROLITE CUB 236 TRAVEL TRAILER MANUFACTURED BY DUTCHMEN. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN WEARING ON THE INSIDE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWED MANY OTHERS (VARIOUS BRANDS OF MFG'S.) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AXLES : AL-KO KOBER CORP. 21611 PROTECTA DR. P.O. BOX 1367 (46515) ELKHART, IN 46516 (574) 294-6651 IS AWARE OF A MANUFACTURING WELDING DEFECT IN THE YEARS OF 2003-2004 ON THEIR RUBBER TORSION AXLES. MANY HAVE STATED AL-KO HAS REPLACED THEIR AXLES DUE TO THIS DEFECT. THE DUTCHMEN WARRANTY IS UP ON THE TRAVEL TRAILER BUT AL-KO HAS A 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON THEIR AXLES. I CONTACTED AL-KO AND THEY SENT ME 2 REPLACEMENT AXLES UNDER WARRANTY. I AM TO REPLACE THE AXLES AND TIRES AT MY EXPENSE. AL-KO MIGHT HONOR TIRE AND LABOR REIMBURSEMENT IF I SHIP THE OLD AXLES AND TIRES BACK TO AL-KO AT MY EXPENSE FOR INSPECTION. THIS IS THE CASE WHETHER I DO THE WORK OR I HAVE A DEALER PERFORM THE WORK. THE AL-KO PACKING SLIP THAT CAME WITH THE TWO AXLES STATES THIS IS A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT AND TO BILL THE AXLES TO AERO COACH IN INDIANA. I HAVE CONTACTED DUTCHMEN MFG. AND THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF SUCH A THING AS THEM BEING BILLED FOR A WARRANTY ITEM. THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THIS ON THEIR END. IN THE MEAN TIME THERE ARE MANY TRAILERS OUT THERE BLOWING TIRES DUE TO THESE DEFECTIVE AXLES. WHEN I ASKED WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SAFETY RECALL I GOT NO RESPONSE OTHER THAN "WHERE DO YOU WANT THE AXLES SHIPPED TO?" I HAVE TWO NEW AXLES AND 5 WORN TIRES THAT I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS THE TRAILER MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM RATHER IT IS THE AXLE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THERE IS NO LISTING FOR AL-KO KOBER SO I HAD TO FILE THIS UNDER DUTCHMEN. *JB