NHTSA Recall 85V163000
Filed by THEURER INC.. Component: Trailer Hitches. Reported 1985-12-09. An estimated 162 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
TWO WELDS CONNECTING THE PINTLE HOOK CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY TO THE TRAILERS SUSPENSION SUBFRAME HAVE BEEN OMITTED. THIS CAUSES CRACKS TO FORM ON CROSSMEMBER WHEN TOWING ANOTHER TRAILER. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THESE FATIGUE CRACKS WILL RAPIDLY DEVELOP IN THE PINTLE HOOK CROSSMEMBER AND CONTINUE TO GROW UNTIL THE CROSSMEMBER SEPARATES FROM THE TRAILER'S SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. A SEPARATED TOWED VEHICLE WOULD BE OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL ITS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM BRINGS IT TO A STOP. HOWEVER, AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR DURING THE TIME IT IS OUT OF CONTROL.
What the manufacturer will do
ADD ANY MISSING WELDS AND APPLY REINFORCEMENT GUSSETS. REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE ANY CRACKED PINTLE HOOK CROSSMEMBERS.
Notes
SYSTEM:SUSPENSION/CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:28 FOOT LONG, SINGLE AXLE VAN TRAILERS EQUIPPED TO TOWANOTHER TRAILER.