NHTSA Investigation PE13039

Pintle Hook Loop Failure

The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on its review of a service bulletin submitted by Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (Utility).The Service Bulletin (SB-07-011), contained in Utility?s July 2013 579.5 monthly submission, instructed owners of subject trailers to conduct an inspection of the pintle hook loop.The inspection procedure involved striking the loop with a 10 pound sledge hammer and then inspecting it for cracks.Due to a material defect, Utility informed owners there was a potential for the loop (that secures the trailers safety chains) to crack and fail.If the loop fails, this redundant safety component becomes ineffective in retaining the trailer to the towing vehicle should the primary hitch fail or otherwise disconnect.A trailer that has separated from its towing vehicle presents a risk to motor vehicle safety.On July 30th 2014 Utility trailer submitted a voluntary safety recall notice (14V-463) for pintle hook safety chain loop failures.The recall involves certain model year 2012-2014 VS1RA, and 2013-2014 VS1DC, VS2DX, VS2RA, VS3DX, and VS3RA trailers manufactured from April 2011 to May 2013.Utility trailer dealers will inspect and replace the pintle hook safety chain loop as required.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.

An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.