2014 Palomino Columbus Brakes Problems

ON JULY 10, 2014 MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A COLUMBUS 340 RK FIFTH WHEEL MADE BY FOREST RIVER. UPON DELIVERY AUGUST 14TH 2014 WE NOTICED IMMEDIATE DEFECTS AND CALLED RV WHOLESALERS TO NOTIFY OF THE ISSUES. SINCE WE HAD A TRIPPED PLANNED WITH THE 5TH WHEEL TO DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS MY WIFE AND I STATED WE WOULD TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS AFTER THE TRIP. DURING OUR TRIP I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE ISSUE. WE AGREED ON A REPAIR SHOP WHERE I DELIVERED THE 5TH WHEEL (SEPT 14, 2014) AND GAVE A LIST OF DEFECTS TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND RV DEALER. BRAKES WERE NUMBER 1 CONCERN. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED ME AND STATED THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE BRAKES WERE NEVER WIRED AND COMPLETE (PICTURES WERE SENT) ALSO, ISSUE 2 THE BACKING PLATES FOR THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. IN A NUT SHELL MY 13,800 POUND TRAILER HAD NO BRAKES! CURRENTLY IN A LEMON LAW SUIT AGAINST FOREST RIVER AND NEED MY GOVERNMENTS HELP. RV STILL AT SHOP WITH ZERO WORK DONE TO IT. SITTING SINCE SEPT 2014.

NHTSA ID

10811184

Incident

Sep 12, 2014

BRAKES WERE SUSPECT, WEAK, INCONSISTENT ACTION. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPACK AND INSPECT BRAKES. DISCOVERED ALL 4 SEALS FAILED AND ALL FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WERE COVERED IN GREASE. DEALER CONTACTED MANUFACTURE OF BRAKE ASSEMBLY, LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC., AND THEY REPLACED BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA ID

10661838

Incident

Oct 13, 2014

Mileage

6,700 mi

NOTE - AXEL INFO IS: FRONT AXEL SERIAL# 045-002512768, REAR AXEL SERIAL# 045-002512757, NV# 284479, DOM IS 1-16-14. PURCHASED TRAILER NEW WITH FIRST USE IN APRIL 2014. OVER NEXT FEW MONTHS TRAILER WOULD NOT STOP AS EASILY AND QUICKLY AS IT DID WHEN WE FIRST STARTED USING IT. THE CONTINUED REDUCTION IN BRAKING ABILITY OVER TIME REQUIRED THAT I CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE BRAKE CONTROLLER SETTINGS UNTIL I REACHED THE HIGHEST SETTING OF 10. WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE WHILE PULLING THIS TRAILER. ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT I ASKED OUR DEALER TO INSPECT. WHEN THEY DID THEY FOUND THAT 3 WHEELS HAD BLOWN SEALS AND ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS COVERED IN GREASE, THE 4TH WHEEL ALSO HAD A BLOWN SEAL BUT ALTHOUGH IT WAS COMPROMISED IT WAS NOT AS BAD AS THE OTHERS. LIPPERT MFG SENT A MECHANIC TO THE DEALER AND REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH NEW DRUM/BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. I ASKED THE LIPPERT MECHANIC WHAT CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE NEW BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND HE STATED THEY ARE USING NEW SEALS. TRAILER IS NOW IN WINTER STORAGE SO IT WILL BE NEXT SPRING BEFORE WE CAN USE THEN INSPECT AFTER SOME LIMITED USE TO DETERMINE IF WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10653642

Incident

Jul 12, 2014

Mileage

1,500 mi

TOOK TRAILER TO SHOP BECAUSE BRAKES WERE SLUGGISH AND NOT WORKING WELL. DEALER DISCOVERED ALL SEALS BLOWN AND BRAKES COVERED IN OIL. LINE FOR BRAKES ON FRONT AXLE PINCHED, THEREFORE NO BRAKING ACTION ON FRONT AXLE. HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR BRAKE UNITS REPLACED AND BRAKE LINE TO FRONT AXLE REPAIRED. MECHANIC STATED THAT GREASE IN AXLES WAS NOT PROPER GRADE, TO THIN. LIPPERT AND COLUMBUS PUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649929

Incident

Oct 22, 2014

Mileage

6,000 mi

UNIT RETURNED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FROM THE BRAKE MANUFACTURER (LIPPERT COMPONENTS). DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND GREASE IN THREE OF THE FOUR BRAKE UNITS. DEALER NOTIFIED FORREST RIVER AND LIPPERT, BOTH SEEM TO BE POINTING TO THE OTHER FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THIS RIG IS 17 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY WORK FOR 7 MONTHS OUT THOSE 17 MONTHS. THE RIG HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES OF ROAD TRAVEL ON IT. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD GIVEN THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL POSTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON VARIOUS FORUMS AND MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649899

Incident

Oct 9, 2014

Mileage

8,000 mi

BRAKES FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING SINCE 5TH WHEEL TRAILER WAS NEW. I COMPLAINED TO COLLIER RV OF ROCKFORD OF POOR BRAKING ABILITY AND ASKED THEM TO INSPECT BRAKES WHICH THEY SAID THEY DID. THIS AUGUST 2014 WHILE AT THE FOREST RIVER OWNERS RALLY IN GOESHEN, INDIANA I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF LIPPERT'S RALLY PRICE ON FORWARD ADJUSTING BRAKES TO BE INSTALLED BECAUSE I WAS NEVER SATISFIED WITH THE 5TH WHEEL BRAKES. WHEN THE LIPPERT TECH. CAME TO INSTALL NEW FORWARD ADJUSTING BRAKES HE FOUND ALL 4 SEALS BLOWN AND 3 OUT OF THE 4 BRAKES WERE COATED WITH GREASE. ONE WHEEL HAD A BAD BEARING ALSO. I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE BRAKES COVERED IN GREASE. AT THE AUGUST 2014 RALLY, I ONLY HAD 1350 MILES ON MY 14 MONTH OLD COLUMBUS 5TH WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10644965

Incident

Aug 16, 2013

Mileage

1,127 mi

WHEN I PURCHASED MY FIFTH WHEEL, THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE AXLE HAD NO BEARING SEAL CAP. GREASE HAD BEEN FLOWN TO BRAKE SHOES AND DRUM. LIPPERT DOES NOT WANT TO COVER THE DAMAGES OR REPAIRS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE SHOES AND BEARINGS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10644627

Incident

Jun 6, 2014

Mileage

2,000 mi

I HAVE FILED BEFORE FOR FAILED GREASE SEALS ON SAME UNIT...TWO TIMES BEFORE...ENTIRE AXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED LAST TIME. I TOOK TRAILER TO LOCAL SHOP FOR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT BEFORE A LONG TRIP AND THEY FOUND A LEAKING GREASE SEAL ON RIGHT REAR. REPLACED SEAL..... *TR

NHTSA ID

10615354

Incident

Jul 22, 2014

Mileage

3,000 mi

ON JULY 12TH 2014 ALL FOUR LIPPERT AXLE HUB SEALS FAILED AFTER ONLY 500 MILES OF TOWING! LEAKING GREASE INTO BRAKE DRUM CAUSING BRAKES TO CONTAMINATE AND FAIL. OVERHEATING OF THIS GREASE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IN HUBS WITH CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. THIS EVENT JUST SO HAPPENED THE DAY OF MY WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND I AM CURRENTLY FIGHTING WITH LIPPERT TO COVER LABOR COSTS. I COULD NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (DUE TO THE WEEKEND) WHICH PUT ME TWO DAYS PAST MY WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SEVERELY HURT OR KILLED DUE TO LIPPERTS CHOICE TO USE LOW QUALITY PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10615183

Incident

Jul 12, 2014

Mileage

500 mi

RECEIVED NEW TRAILER AND HAD NO BRAKES. RETURNED TO DEALER SHORTLY THEREAFTER FOR REPAIR. DEALER COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED AND FOUND EXCESSIVE GREASE AND MULTIPLE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM, REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10577525

Incident

Jun 18, 2013

OUR 5TH WHEEL CAMPER TRAILER, COLUMBUS 295RL, FAILED TO HELP TOW VEHICLE STOP. WHILE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, INSPECTION OF WHEELS INDICATED GREASE CONTAMINATION. DEALER AND LIPPERT, MFG. OF AXLE AND BRAKE SYSTEM FOUND GREASE CONTAMINATION IN THREE OUT OF FOUR HUB ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH NEW DRUM/BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. SINCE, HAVE ONLY PULLED TRAILER JUST UNDER 200 MILES WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10577479

Incident

Feb 3, 2014

Mileage

8,000 mi

UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT GREASE SEALS HAD FAILED ON ALL FOUR WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. GREASE HAD LEAKED OUT AND COATED THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. BRAKING ACTION HAD BEEN DIMINISHED SUBSTANTIALLY. IN OCTOBER 2013, A LOCAL DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND SEALS UNDER FOREST RIVER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10564143

Incident

Sep 30, 2013

Mileage

1,900 mi

I PURCHASED A 2014 FORREST RIVER/PALOMINO/COLUMBUS 320RS IN APRIL OF 2013. ON A CAMPING TRIP IN SEPTEMBER I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DASH OF MY TRUCK TO CHECK THE TRAILER BRAKES. WHEN I GOT TO THE CAMPSITE I FOUND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE HAD BEEN PULLED OUT, ACTIVATING THE BRAKES. PROBLEM WAS, I DIDN'T FEEL THE BRAKES. WHEN I GOT HOME I REMOVED THE R/F WHEEL OF THE 5TH WHEEL. IT WAS COVERED IN GREASE. I THEN CHECKED THE OTHER WHEELS AND FOUND ALL FOUR TO HAVE FAILED GREASE SEALS, THREE OF THE FOUR SHOE ASSEMBLIES COVERED IN GREASE, AND ONE WHEEL, THE L/R THE BRAKE WIRES WERE SEVERED. AFTER TAKING IT TO AN INCOMPETENT RECOMMEND SERVICE FACILITY, I ENDED UP REPLACING ALL FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES MYSELF. AFTER 5-6 SHORT, AND ONE VERY LONG TRIP WITH THIS UNIT, IT IS A MIRACLE THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE APPARENTLY MANY OF THESE COLUMBUS 5TH WHEELS WITH THIS ISSUE. SHAME ON FORREST RIVER FOR USING LIPPERT INDUSTRIES FOR THE AXLES OF THESE CAMPERS. I KNOW WITH MY UNIT IT IS A WORKMANSHIP ISSUE AS ALL FOUR SEALS WERE DAMAGED ON INSTALLATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10563621

Incident

Sep 6, 2013

BRAKE SEALS ARE OVER GREASED OR BROKEN. WE'VE HAD OUR UNIT GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURERS FACTORY FOR WORK & HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKES & SEALS. THE UNIT CAME BACK WITH DIFFERENT WHEELS AND BRAKES BUT THE ISSUE OF LITERALLY HAVING LITTLE TO NO BRAKES WHEN PULLING WAS MOST DEFINITELY STILL THERE. LIPPERT MAKES THE BRAKE & PARTS AND WE TRIED CONTACTING THEM ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. WE WERE NOT HELPED MUCH AT ALL. WE VOICED OUR PROBLEM TO LIPPE VIA PHONE, EMAIL & THEIR FACEBOOK WALL. THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR UNIT SAYS IT'S LIPPERTS PROBLEM. ALL IT WILL TAKE IS US GOING DOWN A HILL IN OUR F350 PULLING OUR 42FT. UNIT WITH THESE DEFECTIVE BRAKES THAT ARE BEING PRE ASSEMBLED BY LIPPERT AND APPLIED BY FOREST RIVER'S COLUMBUS PALOMINO FACTORY STAFF, THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MANY LIVES CAN AND WILL BE TAKEN INCLUDING OURS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. WE ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF A COLUMBUS RV GROUP AND WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR SCREAM FOR HELP AND FOR THESE BRAKES AND PARTS TO BE RECALLED!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10563591

Incident

Mar 25, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER COLUMBUS FIFTH WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE. THE CONTACT SWERVED AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND REAR BUMPER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BECAME SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

NHTSA ID

10544291

Incident

May 25, 2013

Mileage

300 mi