CARRIAGE LITE SERIES 1998: TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02V312000

Make Model Year
CARRIAGE LITE SERIES 1998
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
2003-04-30 2002-11-19 2002-11-26

Manufacturers Involved: Carriage, Inc.

Component: TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 1450

Report Initiator: ODI ODI Report

Summary

CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS MAY HAVE AN INSUFFICIENT FRAME STRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THE PIN BOX.

Consequence

OVER TIME STRESS CRACKS COULD BEGIN TO OCCUR AT THE FRAME INSERTION POINTS AND FRONT CROSS STRUCTURE SURROUNDING THE PIN BOX "HITCH". THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER BECOMING PARTIALLY OR FULLY DETACHED FROM THE TOW VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT KIT TO THE FRAME STRUCTURE SURROUNDING THE PIN BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CARRIAGE AT 1-800-895-0108.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.