VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAVEL TRAILERS. WOODEN BOARDS WERE MOUNTED BETWEEN THE AXLE BRACKETS AND THE FRAME OF THESE TRAVEL TRAILERS. THE BOARDS COULD DETERIORATE AND/OR COMPRESS SUFFICIENTLY TO ALLOW THE METAL BRACKET OF THE AXLE MOUNT TO PRESS DOWNWARD AGAINST THE BRACKET SIDE MOUNTING BOLTS.
THIS DOWNWARD CONTACT COULD CREATE A SHEARING FORCE ACROSS THE BOLTS, ALLOWING THE AXLES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TRAVEL TRAILER.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WOOD WITH A STEEL TUBE SECTION.
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DUTCHMEN AT 1-219-534-1224. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).