2018 Keystone Alpine

RV shows early sign of possible frame flex by developing a bulge on the front drivers side slideout area. Keystone was notified and denied warranty participation because unit was outside of the warranty period. Frame flex is a known safety issue on multiple RVs and keystone is aware of this. Keystone has repaired other units due to the safety concern of a crack in the frame jeopardizing the integrity of the RV while being towed. The RV was seen at the dealer who took measurements that are consistent with frame flex.

NHTSA ID

11556370

Incident

Apr 4, 2023

SHAKLE BOLTS HOLDING THE SPRINGS AND AXELS TO THE FRAME ARE LOOSE AND OR STRIPPED CAUSING THE NUT TO FALL OFF THE SHAKLE BOLT AND THE BOLT EVENTUALLY WORKING ITS WAY OUT OF THE MOUNTING ALLOWING THE AXEL TO SHIFT UNDER THE TRAILER POSSIBLY CAUSING AN CATASTOPHIC ACCIDENT. I WAS INFORMED TO CHECK THE BOLTS FROM AN OWNER OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE CAMPER. FORTUNATELY, I FOUND ONE STRIPPED READY TO FALL OFF, AND 4 LOOSE BEFORE MY NEXT TRIP. UNFORTUNATELY HE LOST ONE OF THE BOLTS AND HIS AXEL COCKED SIDEWAYS AND WORE OUT HIS REAR SET OF TIRES. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE NUT THAT WAS STRIPPED. THESE NUTS AND BOLTS ARE A CRITICAL PART OF THE SAFETY AND SUSPENTION OF THE TRAILER AND NEED TO BE PROPERLY TORQUED AND CHECKED BEFORE THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11130968

Incident

Sep 15, 2018

Mileage

1,000 mi

THE POWER WIRE TO THE EMERGENCY BREAKAWAY SWITCH OF A 2018 KEYSTONE ALPINE 3400RS 5TH WHEEL TRAILER WAS WIRED DIRECTLY TO BATTERY POWER WITHOUT A FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT IT. DUE TO ANOTHER MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THAT POWER WIRE WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE PIN BOX (5TH WHEEL HITCH) AND THE FIBERGLASS FRONT CAP OF THE TRAILER. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE CHAFED DURING TRAVEL DUE TO FLEXING AND EVENTUALLY SHORTED TO THE PIN BOX WHICH IS CHASSIS GROUND. AS THE WIRE WAS NOT FUSED, IT GOT VERY HOT, MELTED THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE, AND MELTED TO OTHER WIRES IN THE LOOM. THERE WAS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. *TT *TR *TR

NHTSA ID

11096729

Incident

Apr 25, 2018

Mileage

800 mi

This is the inspection instructions for KSB-210218, Inspection Process Sidewall Cracks. The information and instructions in a Keystone Service Bulletin (KSB) are intended to inform RV dealership Service Managers/Technicians of situations that may occur with some Recreational vehicles so dealership personnel can perform proper and efficient service. KSB’s are intended to be used by trained RV technicians with the knowledge, tools and equipment to do the job properly and safely, not “do-it-yourselfers”. Inspection information is not presented as a repair guaranteed to be covered by warranty. Keystone’s P & P (Policy & Procedures) must be followed for any requested warranty work. Do not assume this inspection is covered by warranty. Not every unit requires a repair. This process describes the inspection of sidewall cracks and separation forward of the front slideouts to determine if there is a defect and what repair may need to be performed.

This is the revised repair instructions for KSB-180328. The information and instructions in a Keystone Service Bulletin (KSB) are intended to inform RV dealership Service Managers/Technicians of situations that may occur with some Recreational vehicles so dealership personnel can perform proper and efficient service. KSB’s are intended to be used by trained RV technicians with the knowledge, tools and equipment to do the job properly and safely, not “do-it-yourselfers”. Information is not presented as a repair guaranteed to be covered by warranty. Keystone’s P & P (Policy & Procedures) must be followed for any requested warranty work. Do not assume this repair is covered by warranty. Not every unit listed requires a repair. Please read through the instructions start to finish before attempting the repair. This process describes the safe and proper procedure to repair any unit which experiences a crack at the bottom corner of a slideout at the gooseneck of a 5th wheel, opening the side wall to repair broken tube welds and add reinforcement. This technical service bulletin explains how to perform the repair. Please note: A sublet will be required for aluminum welding if you do not have that capability.

This is the repair instructions for KSB-181206. Under certain conditions outside of 40°F to 100°F ambient temperature, the Dometic Gateway may not communicate with the temperature controls to allow the IN-Command HVAC to work.

This is the REVISED repair instructions for advisory 18-318. It has been determined that certain Atwood furnace models may have wiring that can come in contact with the exhaust vent tube causing the furnace to shut down in a safe manner.

This is the repair instructions for advisory 18-318. It has been determined that certain Atwood furnace models may have wiring that can come in contact with the exhaust vent tube causing the furnace to shut down in a safe manner. This is the communication to the dealership regarding advisory 18-318 for certain Atwood furnace models. This is the final owner notification for adviosry 18-318, for certain Atwood furnace models. This is the revised repair instructions for advisory 18-318 for certain Atwood furnace models.