A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
What is a recall?
It’s always important to keep up with the latest recalls, no matter how small the issue may appear to be. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes the latest information on recalls from minor to major defects each week. NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
When a manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out or failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
NHTSA announced 6 recall notices in September 2023. These recalls involved 4 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Forest River (3 recalls), Triple E (1 recall), Airstream (1 recall), and Winnebago (1 recall).
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Sabre fifth wheels. The Federal Placard indicates an incorrect cargo carrying capacity (CCC) and dry weight, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, “Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars” and 49 CFR Part 567 “Certification.”
Dealers will mail owners a new Federal Placard, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 11, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River’s number for this recall is 62-1671
Forest River
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 Della Terra Travel Trailers and Silver Lake travel trailers. The sidewall extrusion may not have been properly installed, which can cause the aluminum siding to detach.
Dealers will inspect and replace the sidewall metal as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 11, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-264-6664. Forest River’s number for this recall is 500-1672.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Palomino hardside and softside truck campers. An unnecessary charge line may have been connected to the lithium battery.
Dealers will disconnect the charge line and install bell caps, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 25, 2023. Owners may contact Palomino customer service at 1-269-432-3271. Forest River’s number for this recall is 400-1677.
Triple E
Triple E Recreational Vehicles (Triple E) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Unity U24IB and 2021-2023 U24TB motorhomes. The battery disconnect switch may contact the refrigerator frame, causing it to short circuit and blow the fuse.
Dealers will install a full protective plastic cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Triple E customer service at 1-877-992-9906. Triple E’s number for this recall is CA#10253-1R. This recall supersedes NHTSA Recall 23V002.
Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2021-2023 16′ Basecamp and 20′ Basecamp travel trailers manufactured without an air conditioner. The 12-gauge wire for future air conditioner installation was not properly terminated inside the junction box.
Dealers will remove the wire from the circuit breaker and power converter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 31, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Travato motorhomes. The retractable awning may extend unintentionally during transit.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 7, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-574-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 176. This recall replaces and expands NHTSA Recall 22V-696. Motorhomes previously repaired under 22V-696 will need to have the new remedy completed.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
What is a recall?
It’s always important to keep up with the latest recalls, no matter how small the issue may appear to be. Each week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes the latest information on recalls from minor to major defects. NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
When a manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Sandpiper, and Sierra fifth wheels. The axle may be installed backwards, which can reduce braking ability.
Dealers will remove and reinstall the axle, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 13, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-4574. Forest River’s number for this recall is 3-1665.
Forest River
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Forest River Pause travel trailers. The awning may not be adequately secured, which can cause the awning to detach.
Dealers will reinstall the awning brackets on the roof, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 13, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-327-2681. Forest River’s number for this recall is 426-1662.
Hacienda RV Resort, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Forest River
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Coachmen Beyond, Galleria, and Nova motorhomes, equipped with certain SmartPlug 30-Amp Shore Power Inlets. The manganese bronze D-rings may crack or fail when over-tightened.
Dealers will install a new smart plug, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 574-825-6319. Forest River’s number for this recall is 225-1669.
Airstream
Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bambi, Basecamp, Caravel, Flying Cloud, Globetrotter, International, and Interstate travel trailers. The SmartPlug 30 Amp inlet manufactured with the manganese bronze D-rings may crack or fail when properly tightened.
Dealers will inspect and replace the SmartPlug 30-amp inlet as needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.
Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Ford Transit, 2020 RAM, and 2020-2022 Sprinter recreational vehicles upfitted by Creative Mobile Interiors. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the injection pump module (IMP) may have inadequate clamp force, possibly resulting in a gasoline leak.
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.
Chinook
Chinook Motor Coach, LLC (Chinook) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Bayside motorhomes, equipped with certain Cummins Onan QG 2800i, and Onan QG 2800i EVAP generator sets. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may have inadequate clamp force, possibly resulting in a gasoline leak.
Cummins dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Chinook customer service at 1-574-584-3756.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2023 Phaeton motorhomes, equipped with Cummins L9 diesel engines. The remote Stage 2 fuel filter hoses may have been damaged during production, allowing the hoses to leak or disconnect.
Cummins dealers will replace both hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin’s number for this recall is TIF-132.
Starcraft
Starcraft RV (Starcraft) is recalling certain 2023 Super Lite Maxx travel trailers. The trailers may have been manufactured without a secondary emergency exit window.
Dealer will inspect and install an emergency egress window, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Starcraft customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Starcraft’s number for this recall is 9902990.
Highland Ridge RV (Highland Ridge) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Highland Ridge Range Lite Air travel trailers. The trailers may have been manufactured without a secondary emergency exit window.
Dealer will inspect and install an emergency egress window as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Highland Ridge customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Highland Ridge’s number for this recall is 9904990.
Alliance
Alliance RV, LLC (Alliance) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Paradigm 295MK, 310RL, 340RL, 370FB, 382RK, 385FL, 390MP, and 395DS travel trailers. The breakaway switch and trailer brakes may not activate when needed due to an incorrectly wired breakaway switch.
Dealers will rewire the breakaway cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Alliance customer service at 1-574-218-7165.
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Momentum 23G and 25G travel trailers. The installed safety chains are underrated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Dealers will replace the safety chains, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 6, 2023. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design’s number for this recall is 910040.
ATC
Aluminum Trailer Company (ATC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 PL700 trailers. The wire connections in the transfer switch may be tightened improperly and loosen.
Dealers will tighten the wire connections, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 28, 2023. Owners may contact ATC customer service at 1-877-441-2440 ext. 342.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
What is a recall?
It’s always important to keep up with the latest recalls, no matter how small the issue may appear to be. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes the latest information on recalls from minor to major defects each week. NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
When a manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
NHTSA announced 11 recall notices in June 2023. These recalls involved 8 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Jayco (3 recalls), Triple E (2 recalls), Forest River (1 recall), Winnebago (1 recall), Keystone (1 recall), Tiffin (1 recall), IFP (1 recall), and Grand Design (1 recall).
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Melbourne and Melbourne Prestige motorhomes. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is Daimler 23V-204.
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2023 Jayco Greyhawk, Redhawk, and Entegra Coach Odyssey motorhomes. The bolt that secures the rear axle rotor to the wheel-hub may be improperly tightened, possibly resulting in wheel separation.
Dealers will inspect the rear axle serial number, and if necessary, remove and inspect the rear axle rotor and hub assembly. If any bolts are found to be loose, the rotor and hub assembly will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267.
Jayco
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2023 Jayco Swift, Swift LI, Entegra Ethos, and Ethos LI recreational vehicles. The solar panel may detach from the Pop-Up roof and become a road hazard.
Dealers will install new brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9903586.
Triple E Recreational Vehicles (Triple E) is recalling certain 2023 Unity U24MB, U24cB, U24FX, U24MBL, U24RL, U24TB, and Wonder W24FTB, W24MBL, W24RL, W24RTB motorhomes. The 2-stage regulator may be improperly crimped, which can cause a gas leak.
Dealers will perform a leak test, and replace the regulator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 9, 2023. Owners may contact Triple E customer service at 1-877-922-9906. Triple E’s number for this recall is CA#10318-1.
Triple E
Triple E Recreational Vehicles (Triple E) is recalling certain 2023 Unity U24MBL and Wonder W24MBL motorhomes. The cable that connects the air conditioning to the junction box may have been cut during installation, exposing the wire to the metal junction box.
Dealers will shorten the wiring at the point of the cut, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Triple E customer service at 1-877-992-9906. Triple E’s number for this recall is CA#10323-1.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 East to West Della Terra and East to West Silver Lake travel trailers. The furnace may have been installed incorrectly, causing the cold air return to invert the cooktop flame and resulting in a gas leak inside the cabin.
Dealers will pull out the furnace as intended to allow for proper cold air return, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 5, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-264-6664. Forest River’s number for this recall is 500-1644.
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Winnebago Shell, 2021-2023 Winnebago Inspire, 2022-2023 Winnebago Vista, Adventurer, Forza, Journey and Itasca Sunstar motorhomes. The seat belt attachment may have been improperly tightened. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.”
Dealers will inspect and tighten the seat belt attachment fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 16, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 175.
Keystone
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Arcadia travel trailers. The backer board behind the cabinet for the wardrobe may not have been installed during production.
Dealers will inspect and if necessary, install steel brackets to stop the slide room when opening, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 18, 2023. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 23-444.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Phaeton, Allegro Bus, and Zephyr motorhomes. A fuse will trip during an a/c compressor failure, causing a loss of power to the chassis.
Dealers will inspect the chassis controller, and install a harness and inline fuse as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin’s number for this recall is TIF-131.
Imagine Fiberglass Products Inc. (IFP) is recalling certain 2021-2023 L’Air Trillium Heritage 1300/4500, and Lion 1300/4500 travel trailers, equipped with certain SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops with part number 3032AST. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
Dealers will install a regulator support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in June 2023. Owners may contact IFP customer service at 1-519-804-8751. IFP’s number for this recall is 2023-01.
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2023 Momentum toy haulers. The Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) label is incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.”
Dealers will remove and replace the label, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 12, 2023. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design’s number for this recall is 910036.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
What is a recall?
It’s always important to keep up with the latest recalls, no matter how small the issue may appear to be. Each week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes the latest information on recalls from minor to major defects. NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
When a manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
NHTSA announced 16 recall notices during April 2023. These recalls involved 8 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Forest River (5 recalls), Jayco (4 recalls), Winnebago (2 recalls), Shadow Trailer (1 recall), 9299-5000 Québec (1 recall), Gulf Stream (1 recall), MCI (1 recall), and Heartland (1 recall).
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Puma Pause Travel trailers. The breakaway switch may be incorrectly wired and cause the battery to not charge, resulting in no power to the breakaway switch.
Dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 3, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-327-2681. Forest River’s number for this recall is 426-1613.
Forest River
Potential number of units affected: 19
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Puma Pause travel trailers. The brake wire was routed incorrectly through the suspension, which may result in a pinched wire.
Dealers will inspect the wire, and rewire or reroute as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 3, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-327-2681. Forest River’s number for this recall is 426-1615.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Cherokee CKT36FBOP Travel Trailers. The safety chains may be insufficient for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) listed on the federal placard, which can allow the trailer to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, “Certification.”
Dealers will install a new Federal Placard, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at1-260)-499-2100. Forest River’s number for this recall is 89-1618.
Forest River
Potential number of units affected: 28
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 East to West Della Terra 240RLLE travel trailers. The safety chains may be insufficient for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and could potentially break.
Dealers will replace the safety chains, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 10, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-264-6664. Forest River’s number for this recall is 508-1617.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Forester 2401BSD, FR3 F3A32DSF, Georgetown GTA36K7, 2022-2023 East to West Entrada, 2023 East to West Alta, Coachmen Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral and Chaparral Lite, Forest River Crusader, Sanibel, Shasta Phoenix, Coachmen Spirit, and East to West Tandara vehicles. The solar panel mounting hardware may become loose and pull through the slot in the panel.
Dealers will install additional hardware to the existing panel and install a secondary holding bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 23, 2023. Owners may contact East to West Alta, Entrada and Tandara customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Coachmen Apex and Spirit customer service at 1-574-825-8205; Coachmen Brookstone, Chaparral, Chaparral Lite, and Shasta Phoenix customer service at 1-574-825-7101; Crusader and Sanibel customer service at 1-574-862-1025; and Georgetown Forester and FR3 customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-1607.
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2023 Northpoint FW travel trailers. The axle U-bolts may not be tightened properly, which can cause the axle to move out of position.
Dealers will inspect and tighten the U-bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9901585.
Jayco
Potential number of units affected: 19
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jayco Atlante, Precept, Precept Prestige, Entegra Emblem, Vision, and Vision XL motorhomes. The rear stabilizer bar attachment brackets may break and separate from the vehicle.
Dealers will inspect the bolt tightness for both rear stabilizer attachment brackets and replace the weld nuts, bolts, and brackets as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 1, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is Ford 22V-731.
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jayco Embark, Entegra Anthem, Aspire, Cornerstone, Reatta, and Reatta XL motorhomes. A vehicle control module software error may cause loss of drive power or loss of key safety functions, such as loss of head lights or windshield wipers.
Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 1, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267.
Jayco
Potential number of units affected: 2
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2022 Entegra Coach Qwest motorhomes. The wiring harnesses for the swivel-seats may have been incorrectly installed and may become damaged, which can cause the front side air bags not to deploy as intended.
Dealers will inspect the installation of the wiring harness and will attach it properly to the seat base, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 1, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is MB 23V-101.
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ekko motorhomes. The 12-Volt charging system may have improperly routed wires and loose electrical connections, which can overload the electrical circuits and cause damage to electrical components, including the auxiliary alternator.
Dealers will inspect and correct the wire routing and electrical connections, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 174.
Winnebago
Winnebago Towable (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Micro Minnie travel trailers. The spare tire carrier may fail when loaded with a certain off-road style tire.
Dealers will replace the spare tire carrier, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 9, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-574-825-5280 ext. 5220. Winnebago’s number for this recall is CAM0000029.
Shadow Trailer, LLC (Shadow Trailer) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Living Quarter trailers equipped with certain SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
Service centers will order repair kits directly from the equipment supplier, Suburban Manufacturing, and install the kits, free of charge. The remedy for previously sold vehicles is still under development. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Shadow Trailer customer service at 1-352-529-2190.
9299-5000 Québec Inc. (9299-5000 Quebec) is recalling certain 2020-2023 HÉLIO O2 travel trailers, equipped with certain SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 27, 2023. Owners may contact 9299-5000 Quebec customer service at 1-877 583–2206. 9299-5000 Quebec’s number for this recall is 2023-001.
Gulf Stream
Potential number of units affected: 557
Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. (Gulf Stream) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Conquest and BT Cruiser Class C Mini Motor Homes. Please see the recall report for a complete list of model numbers. The entry door latch may fail and not allow entry or exit.
Dealers will inspect and replace the door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Gulf Stream customer service at 1-800-289-8787. Gulf Stream’s number for this recall is GS032923.
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) is recalling certain 2019-2021 D45CRTLE, J3500, and J4500 coaches, equipped with a rear-mounted bike rack. The vehicle’s rear lighting may be obstructed when bikes are installed on the bike rack. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
MCI will provide instructions and a kit to add lighting to the rear-mounted bike rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 1, 2023. Owners may contact MCI customer service at 1-800-241-2947.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland)) is recalling certain 2023 Big Country and Big Horn fifth wheels. The federal certification label may have incorrect tire information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, “Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars.”
Heartland will mail owners replacement certification labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 17, 2023. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
What is a recall?
It’s always important to keep up with the latest recalls, no matter how small the issue may appear to be. Each week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes the latest information on recalls from minor to major defects. NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
When a manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
NHTSA announced 18 recall notices during March 2023. These recalls involved 16 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Forest River (2 recalls), Thor Motor Coach (2 recalls), Jayco (1 recall), Tiffin (1 recall), Winnebago (1 recall), Roadtrek (1 recall), Airstream (1 recall), Grand Design (1 recall), Par Nado (1 recall), Newmar (1 recall), Newell (1 recall), Eveland’s (1 recall), Kibbi (1 recall), REV (1 recall), Alliance RV (1 recall), and Keystone (1 recall).
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2013 Coachmen Cross Country and 2023 Coachmen Sportscoach Motorhomes. The entry door latch may fail and not allow entry or exit.
Dealers will inspect and replace the door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-825-8212. Forest River’s number for this recall is 310-1603.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Palomino Solaire 320TSBH travel trailers. These vehicles may be missing the rearward and forward supports for the freshwater tank, which may cause the tank to become dislodged.
Dealers will install rearward and forward supports for the freshwater tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-269-432-3271. Forest River’s number for this recall is 400-1605.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2015-2023 Palazzo recreational vehicles. The front lower cap brackets that support the front fiberglass panel may become loose and detach from the vehicle while in motion.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000291.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Hurricane and Windsport recreational vehicles. The driver and front passenger overhead cabinets may detach.
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the overhead cabinets, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000290.
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Entegra Accolade, Accolade XL, Anthem, Aspire, Cornerstone, Emblem, Esteem, Expanse, Expanse LI, Odyssey, Qwest, Reatta, Reatta XL, Jayco Alante, Greyhawk, Greyhawk Prestige, Melbourne, Melbourne Prestige, Precept, Precept Prestige, Redhawk, Redhawk SE, Seneca, Seneca Prestige, and Seneca XT recreational vehicles. The certification labels may be missing the rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, “Certification.”
Dealers will install a new corrected certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 27, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9903583.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cahaba recreational vehicles. The rear Sumo Springs may be the wrong size and the front Sumo Springs may have been installed in an incorrect location.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear Sumo Springs and relocate the front springs, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin’s number for this recall is TIF-128.
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2023 Adventurer, Vista and Itasca Sunstar motorhomes. The motorhomes may be missing the rear reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
Dealers will install the reflectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 173
Roadtrek Inc. (Roadtrek) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Zion, Chase, Zion Slumber, Play, Play Slumber, Zion SRT and Play SRT recreational vehicles, equipped with certain SDS2 2-burner drop-in cooktops. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Roadtrek customer service at 1-888-762-3873. Roadtrek’s number for this recall is NHTSA Recall 23E002.
Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Basecamp, Bambi, Atlas, and Interstate travel trailers, equipped with certain SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
Dealers will install a regulator support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 29, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream Customer Service at 877-596-6111 (Travel Trailer ext. 7491) or (Touring Coach ext. 7401).
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2023 Imagine AIM travel trailers. The Federal Certification Label incorrectly states the tire size and inflation pressure requirement. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.”
Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 17, 2023. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design’s number for this recall is 910033.
Par Nado Inc (Par Nado) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Alto R1713, R1723, F1743, F2114, A2124, and F2414 travel trailers equipped with certain SDS2 2-burner drop-in cooktops. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
The remedy is still under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 27, 2023. Owners may contact Par Nado customer service at 1-418-426-3666. Par Nado’s number for this recall is 2023-001.
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2023 Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, and Canyon Star motorhomes. The entry door latch may fail and not allow entry or exit.
Dealers will inspect and replace the door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 1, 2023. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar’s number for this recall is 597R.
Newell Coach Corp. (Newell) is recalling certain 2023-2024 P50 motor coaches. The brake lights may fail to illuminate unless the brake pedal is fully depressed.
Newell will rewire the brake switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 14, 2023. Owners may contact Newell customer service at 1-888-363-9355.
Potential number of units affected: No number given
Eveland’s Inc. (Eveland’s) is recalling certain 2022 Scamp Trailer 13ft travel trailers, equipped with certain 2-burner Cooktops. The burner control valves may become damaged, causing a gas leak.
No remedy has been established at this time. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Eveland’s customer service at 1-218-947-4932.
Kibbi, LLC (Kibbi) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Renegade RV Classic, Explorer, and XL Motorhomes. The entry door latch may fail and not allow entry or exit.
Dealers will inspect and replace the door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kibbi customer service at 1-574-966-0196.
REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2023 Fleetwood Bounder, Flair, Flex, Fortis, Southwind, Discovery, Discovery LXE, Frontier, Frontier GTX, Pace Arrow, Holiday Rambler Admiral, Eclipse, Invicta, Vacationer, Armada, Endeavor, Navigator, Nautica, and American Coach American Tradition motorhomes. The entry door latch may fail and not allow entry or exit.
Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the door latch, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 12, 2023. Owners may contact Rev Customer Service at 1-800-509-3417. Rev’s number for this recall is 230224REV.
Alliance RV, LLC (Alliance RV) is recalling certain 2023 Valor 21T15 travel trailers. The incorrect size wheel and tire assemblies were installed and may become overloaded.
Dealers will replace the wheel and tire assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 15, 2023. Owners may contact Alliance RV customer service at 1-574-218-7165.
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Cougar travel trailers. These vehicles may have been manufactured without an emergency exit window.
Dealers will inspect, and replace the window if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 23-440.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
NHTSA announced 11 recall notices during February 2023. These recalls involved 9 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Winnebago (2 recalls), Jayco (2 recalls), Forest River (1 recall), Thor Motor Coach (1 recall), Keystone (1 recall), Nexus RV (1 recall), Newell (1 recall), Pleasant Valley (1 recall), and ATC (1 recall).
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2023 Revel camper vans. The Tire and Loading Information Label has an incorrect tire size listed as R16, when the tire size should be R17. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.”
Winnebago will provide a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 24, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 172.
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Solis, 2021-2023 Travato, and 2022-2023 Ekko motorhomes, equipped with certain Suburban Manufacturing Company (Suburban) SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops with part number 3032AST. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
Winnebago will work with Suburban to repair the cooktop, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 24, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885.
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Entegra Launch, Launch LE, Qwest, Jayco Melbourne, Melbourne Prestige, Terrain, and Terrain LE motorhomes. The guide bushing on the parking pawl may fatigue, which can cause the parking pawl not to engage and result in a vehicle rollaway.
Dealers will update the software of the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select module, and electronic ignition switch control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 22, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is MB 22V-796.
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2023 Redhawk SE motorhomes. The dinette rear and forward-facing seat belts have the incorrect brackets installed, which can cause the brackets to loosen. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.”
Dealers will replace the seat belt brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 20, 2023. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9903584.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Galleria, 2023 Coachmen Beyond, and 2023 Nova motorhomes, equipped with SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops with part numbers 3031AST and 3032AST. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
Dealers will install a regulator support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 21, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-825-6307. Forest River’s number for this recall is 225-1601.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Rize and Scope camper vans. The retractable awning may extend unintentionally during transit.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000289.
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Carbon, Fuzion, Impact, and Raptor travel trailers. The fuel station controller may fail.
Dealers will inspect the circuit protection and install a 15-amp fuse and a box to protect the fuel station controller, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 23-439.
Nexus RV, LLC (Nexus RV) is recalling certain 2022 Triumph, Phantom, Viper, Ghost, Rebel, Wraith, and Verrado motorhomes, equipped with certain Electric Retractable Awnings. The welded seam on the fabric may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.
Dealers will inspect and replace the awnings, if necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Nexus RV’s customer service at 1-574-970-0848. Nexus Rv’s number for this recall is 058-001-2022 Lippert.
Newell Coach Corp. (Newell) is recalling certain 2023 P50 motor coaches. The battery disconnect switch may fail to disconnect the battery when turned to the off position.
Newell will remove and replace the battery disconnect switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 8, 2023. Owners may contact Newell customer service at 1-888-363-9355.
Pleasant Valley Teardrop Trailers, LLC. (Pleasant Valley) is recalling certain 2023 Teardrop TAB 320s and TAB 320CSS travel trailers, equipped with certain SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops with part numbers 3031AST and 3032AST. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
Dealers will replace the cooktop, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact Pleasant Valley customer service at 1-330-852-4811 ext. Pleasant Valley’s number for this recall is 23E-002.
Aluminum Trailer Company (ATC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyhauler and Quest trailers equipped with certain SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 17, 2023. Owners may contact ATC customer service at 1-877-441-2440 ext. 342. ATC’s number for this recall is 23E-002.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
NHTSA announced 5 recall notices during January 2023. These recalls involved 4 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Forest River (2 recalls), REV (1 recall), Shadow Trailer (1 recall), and Triple E (1 recall).
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 East to West Entrada 24FM Class C Motorhomes. The certification label incorrectly states there are 6 belted seating positions, when there are only 4 belted seating positions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, “Wheels and Rims-Other than Passenger Cars.”
Dealers will replace the Federal certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-264-6664. Forest River’s number for this recall is 504-1591.
Forest River Bus, LLC (Forest River Bus) is recalling certain 2021 Berkshire Coach Ultra UL1952 coaches. The retractable awning may extend unintentionally during transit.
Dealers will install additional support for the internal components of the gearbox housing, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Bus customer service at 1-800-348-7440 or Carefree of Colorado Customer Service Phone Number 1-303-469-3324. Forest River Bus’ number for this recall is 42-1594.
REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Holiday Rambler Vacationer, Invicta, Navigator, Admiral, Fleetwood Southwind, Bounder, Pace Arrow, 2021-2022 Fleetwood Fortis, Flair, 2023 Fleetwood Flex and Holiday Rambler Eclipse motorhomes. The service valves on the LPG tanks may have improper thread depth, which can cause a propane leak.
Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the service valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 20, 2023. Owners may contact REV customer service at 1-800-509-3417.
Shadow Trailer, LLC (Shadow Trailer) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Living Quarter travel trailers, equipped with certain 2-burner cooktops. The burner control valves may become damaged, causing a gas leak.
Dealers will replace the cooktops, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2022. Owners may contact Shadow Trailer customer service at 1-352-529-2190. Shadow Trailer’s number for this recall is 22E-021.
Triple E Recreational Vehicles (Triple E) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Unity U24IB and 2021-2023 Unity U24TB motorhomes. The battery disconnect switch terminal posts may contact the metal grounded fridge frame, causing a short and blowing a 100 AMP fuse.
Dealers will install two rubber terminal post protective covers, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 25, 2023. Owners may contact Triple E customer service at 1-877-992-9906. Triple E’s number for this recall is CA#10253-1.
RV shows are wonderful opportunities to discover the latest travel trailer and motorhome models. You can meet with dealers, tour various layouts, and maybe even score a great deal on your next camper. Whether you’re a newbie looking to buy your first travel trailer or a seasoned traveler with an upgrade on your mind, RV shows can be very enjoyable and beneficial.
Don’t forget about all the cool camping gear and gadgets. Dozens of vendors are usually in attendance to promote their camping goods, services, and products.
I’ve compiled a list of 10 RV shows across the U. S. that you’re sure to love. Take a look and see what’s coming up in your area. Please note that not all shows are included in the following list.
Description: This is a must-see show for all RV and travel enthusiasts. Whether you’re an experienced RVer or just getting started, the SuperShow is made for you. The RV show offers educational seminars, daily entertainment, and the latest innovative RV products and accessories. Two booth exhibit halls are full of parts and accessories, campgrounds and resorts, tourism information, towing supplies, and many other products. Plus you’ll find all types of RVs from small travel trailers to bus-conversion luxury motorhomes.
Location: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Highway 301 North, Tampa
Show Hours: Wednesday, January 18–Saturday, January 21, 9:00 am– 6:00 pm; Sunday, January 22, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Admission: Adults $15.00 (get 2nd day pass free); children under 16 free
Parking daily rate: $10/car, $16/RV; parking is handled by the Florida State Fairgrounds
Camping: Advanced reservation required; overnight camping is handled by the Florida State Fairgrounds; for questions or concerns please contact 813-621-7821
Description: Featuring the latest makes and models of recreational vehicles from all of the nation’s top manufacturers. Special factory rebates, financing, and on the spot loan approval makes this show can’t miss for the RV enthusiasts.
Location: Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr, Schaumburg
Show Hours: Friday, January 20-Saturday, January 21, 9 am-8 pm; Sunday, January 22, 10 am-5 pm
Admission: Adults $15; children under 16 free; CASH ONLY
Parking: Onsite parking is free at the Schaumburg Convention Center and offers easy access to the show entrance
Description: For nine days, RVers descend on the giant exhibit tent to see the latest gadgets, get work and upgrades done on their RVs, and learn more about the RV lifestyle with workshops and seminars where attendees can learn about topics from trip planning to safety upgrades, solar and batteries, boondocking, and how to shop for an RV.
One can expect to see the “who’s who” of the RV industry but the stars of the show are the over 400 exhibitors (set up in and around the Big Tent—a 70,000-square-foot fully carpeted structure) selling everything from the latest and greatest RV gadgets to fashion jewelry to local honey. Some big tent vendors also have a cellphone and electronic gadgets, glass fingernail files, dip mixes, and other vendors with non-RV junk.
Location: Central Blvd., Quartzsite
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (3 p.m. closing day)
Description: The annual boat and RV show offers outdoors enthusiasts and newcomers alike the chance to prepare for their next adventure and beat cabin fever.
Location: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville
Show Hours: Wednesday, January 25, 5 pm-9 pm; Thursday, January 26-Friday, January 27, 12 pm-9 pm; Saturday, January 28, 10 am-9 pm; Sunday, January 29, 10 am-5 pm
Admission: $14.00 Adults (13 and up); children 12 and younger free (when accompanied by a paid adult); Thursday, January 26, $5 after 5 pm; all ticket sales are now online
Parking: Kentucky Exposition Center has more than 19,000 parking spaces; parking is $12 for cars and $20 for buses; handicap parking is also available
Description: The Atlanta Camping and RV Show began in 1975 and has grown to one of the biggest combined RV dealers show in the Southeast with nine of Atlanta’s largest RV dealers on-site featuring all makes and models for outdoor travel and camping.
Location: Atlanta Exposition Center South, 3850 Jonesboro Road, Atlanta (I-285, Exit 55)
Show Hours: Thursday, January 26, 11 am-6 pm; Friday, January 27-Saturday, January 28, 9 am-7 pm; Sunday, January 29, 9 am-5 pm
Admission: Thursday or Friday adult $10.00; children 18 and under free; Saturday or Sunday adult $12.00; children 6-18 $5.00; under 6 Free (on-line pricing for single day eEntry $2.00 discount applied)
Description: The show features the latest makes and models of RVs from the nation’s top manufacturers. Take advantage of special show-only pricing and incentives. Units are available for immediate delivery at the show. The show will also feature a huge selection of outdoor accessories and daily seminars.
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis
Show Hours: Thursday, February 2-Saturday, February 4, 10 am-7 pm; Sunday, February 5, 10 am-4 pm
Admission: Free
Parking: Visit the official Minneapolis/St. Paul RV Vacation & Camping Show Parking Page to find and reserve convenient parking with rates up to 50 percent off drive-up
Description: Texas’ largest RV Expo with thousands of recreational vehicles including motorhomes, travel trailers, tent campers, fifth wheels, and van conversions. RV-related venders onsite representing campgrounds, resorts, parks, and RV supplies.
Location: NRG Center (Halls C, D, E); NRG Center events utilize Gate 10 on the corner of Kirby and McNee. Type in the address: 8600 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054 for specific driving directions
Show Hours: Wednesday-Friday, February 8-10, Noon–8 pm; Saturday, September 11, 10 am–8 pm
Admission: $15.00 adults; $5.00 children (6-12 years); under 6 Free
Parking: 26,283 parking spots available at NRG Center
Description: Dallas RV Supersale features hundreds of RVs from North Texas RV dealers in more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space. Major national manufacturers and top dealers will display motorhomes, fifth-wheels, travel trailers, toy haulers, tent trailers, RV accessories and more. Booth vendors will showcase related products as well as a wide assortment of other products and services. Also take advantage of the free seminars throughout the day.
Location: Dallas Market Hall, 2200 N Stemmons Freeway, Dallas
Show Hours: Thursday, February 23, 10 am–6 pm; Friday, February 24-Saturday, February 25, 10 am–8 pm; Sunday, February 26, 10 am–6 pm
Admission: Adults $15.00; youth (6-12) $7.00; children (5 & under) free; cash only (ATM onsite)
Description: With more than 1,400 RVs on display from the smallest travel trailer to the largest motorhome, this show is the place to shop and compare RVs, the latest camping accessories and gear, upgrades, campgrounds, vacation destinations, and related products. Explore the 33 football fields of RVs available from over 30 manufacturers, talk to knowledgeable dealers, and attend seminars presented by industry experts.
Location: Giant Center, 550 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey
Show Hours: Wednesday, September 13–Saturday, September 16, 9 am–8 pm; Sunday, September 17, 9 am–5 pm
Admission: Adult (13 and up) Wednesday-Friday $12 in advance, $14 day-of; Saturday $17 in advance, $19 day-of; Sunday $8 in advance, $10 day-of
Parking: Free daily parking in designated lots
Worth Pondering…
The RV lifestyle is like nothing else.
It’s leaving home, exploring America, and yet bringing your home along with you!
Stopping at a wayside picnic area, preparing lunch in your kitchen.
It’s sleeping in your own bed every night, yet waking up to a new vista each morning!
The sounds of a crackling campfire; of a mountain stream, of frogs, and crickets.
It’s families drawn closer; it’s retirees being rewarded for many years of labor.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired, a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment at no cost to the consumer.
NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle safety and not product quality. NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed to product safety.
NHTSA announced 4 recall notices during Novemer 2022. These recalls involved 3 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Forest River (2 recalls), Tiffin (1 recall), and REV (1 recall).
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Shasta Phoenix, Coachmen Brookstone, and 2019-2022 Coachmen Chaparral, and Chaparral Lite fifth wheels. The floating cross-member may not be installed correctly and fail to retain the holding tanks, causing the holding tanks to become dislodged.
Dealers will inspect and relocate the cross-member as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 10, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-7101. Forest River’s number for this recall is 110-1561.
Forest River, Inc (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 East to West Alta travel trailers. The side marker lights may not reflect light as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
Dealers will install reflective stickers, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-264-6664. Forest River’s number for this recall is 501-1571.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Allegro Bay, Breeze, Phaeton, Red 360, 2023 Allegro and Red 340 motorhomes. The fitting on the non-leaching hose connected to the LPG regulator may leak at the swivel joint.
Dealers will inspect and replace the LPG hose, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin’s number for this recall is TIF-127.
REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Fleetwood Bounder, Fortis, Southwind, Holiday Rambler Invicta, and Holdiay Rambler Vacationer motorhomes. The step tread on the interior entryway steps may be improperly secured, causing the tread to become loose.
Dealers will repair or replace the tread as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 6, 2023. Owners may contact REV customer service at 1-800-509-3417. REV’s number for this recall is 221104REV.
“You’re not going to buy an RV and drive it off the lot and have no hassles”
Elkhart, Indiana is to recreational vehicles what Detroit once was to automobiles. Four out of every five RVs in the U.S. roll-out of Elkhart, an area dominated by three major players the way Detroit was once dominated by Ford, Chrysler, and GM: Thor Industries, Forest River (owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway), and Winnebago Industries. Unlike Detroit, however, Elkhart is union-free in a so-called “right-to-work” state. And unlike Detroit in past decades Elkhart has been ravaged by the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The result, as documented October 19, 2022, by the Indianapolis Star in a 15,000-word, four-part, multi-media series is an industry riddled with broken bodies and a record number of recalled RVs even as the major manufacturers all have been posting unsurpassed revenues and profit margins.
Lockdowns that confined Americans to their homes in 2020 created a record demand for recreational vehicles, much of it from first-time buyers who were looking for a safe way to travel. But COVID also decimated the ranks of RV factory workers even as they were being pushed to increase production.
Already strenuous jobs suddenly required even more from workers whose earnings are largely dependent on how many RVs they push out the door. Several compared it to a football practice that lasts eight hours or more leaving a body battered at the end of every day.
RV workers say they were frequently allowed—and sometimes pressured—to show up while sick or injured to meet the demand for a luxury product, according to IndyStar interviews with two dozen current and former workers and several family members. Some faced steep pay cuts for missing work due to COVID. Others were fired.
As factories became COVID-19 hotspots, companies raked in record profits. Manufacturers shipped out 48 percent more RVs in 2021 than the year before the pandemic.
Inside the factories where those RVs were made, workers shared stories about the human cost behind the record profits.
The RV industry in Elkhart County began with a man who built a travel trailer using plywood and junkyard parts for his family during the Great Depression. Milo Miller began building more trailers that he sold from a rented shed at a Mishawaka lumber yard, RV historian Al Hesselbart wrote in RV Capital of the World: A Fun-filled Indiana History. Other business-minded Hoosiers followed suit launching the first RV factories in the state. Those few factories turned into a few dozen then several hundred from RV manufacturers to parts suppliers, transporters, and repair shops.
Today, the industry dominates life in this manufacturing region just south of the Michigan border. Roads are typically congested as early as 3 a.m. as workers head to the factories. Restaurants are busy at lunch time when plants typically let workers out.
Across the factories in a county that’s home to blue-collar workers, grueling conditions are a long-accepted way of life. Calling in sick has always been seen as a sign of weakness, workers told IndyStar and many said they fear getting fired for taking too many sick days.
But problems in RV plants have been brewing long before the pandemic. Workers told IndyStar about injuries from lax safety rules and the fast pace, drug use, unfair pay structures, a disciplinary system that punishes workers for taking sick time, a lack of training, and quality issues with products that leave factories.
Several RV workers said they and others inside the factories needed daily uppers such as energy drinks, Ritalin, or Adderall—even methamphetamine—to keep up with the pace. The most readily available option, energy drinks, can cause heart problems, worsen anxiety, and send workers to emergency rooms when abused.
Still, tens of thousands flock to the industry. Many cycle in and out, beaten down by the work but desperate for the fat paychecks.
Abey Bonifield took her first RV job because she needed more money than she could earn cleaning houses. Bonifield worked for multiple RV makers over about six years. Every day, she hit the ground running long before the crack of dawn, sometimes working for 13 hours a shift. She installed windows alone. She hefted appliances half her weight over her head. She pulled a small RV on a dolly by herself.
“I mean, who can wake up at 3 o’clock in the morning and work themselves like that?” Bonifield said. “That’s not meant to be.”
She brought home enough to live a middle-class life without a college diploma and raise her two sons. In the process, Bonifield pushed her body past its limit. She worked even when she was sick or injured, sprinting in the summer heat to keep up with relentless production demand. She lived on energy drinks and caffeine pills, consuming an unhealthy amount each day. The faster she worked, the more money she made.
But the breakneck pace gave her anxiety attacks as she scrambled to finish one RV unit and move on to the next. She stopped the energy drinks and caffeine pills only after developing kidney stones.
“The money is just not worth it,” she said. “Sometimes you can bring home two grand and that’s a lot of money for someone who didn’t finish high school or college. But emotionally dealing with that … no.”
Bonifield left the industry last year. And she doesn’t want to go back.
Jenny Doman and her family stood beside a highway exit ramp watching helplessly as bright orange flames engulfed their brand-new RV.
Jenny Doman and her family had purchased the 40-foot-long Heartland Road Warrior, a fifth-wheel trailer and “toy hauler” made by a subsidiary of Thor Industries. The price tag was more than $100,000. Excited to enjoy the new luxury RV, they left their home in Oregon and hit the road for a trip to visit family in Utah.
But they only made it to Montana before flames engulfed their brand-new RV. The fire quickly transformed their dreams of a carefree life in their new home-away-from-home into a nightmare. The fire spread within minutes. Instead of spending the night in their new RV, Doman and her family found themselves standing near a rural Montana highway in the middle of a snowy winter night with nothing but clothes on their backs.
“There goes our fifth wheel, toy hauler, everything in it. Oh my gosh!” Doman said in a video she later posted on YouTube.
The desire to get away from home yet remain isolated introduced a new kind of lifestyle for many people during the pandemic. Recreational vehicles and trailers like Doman’s offered a vacation anywhere with all the comforts of home but not the crowds, costs, or hassles of commercial travel.
The RV industry—one of the biggest manufacturing sectors in Indiana—was quick to capitalize on this new and unprecedented demand. Last year, more RVs were built and sold than ever. Profits also soared to record highs.
Recalls became more and more common—in part because parts suppliers are also under pressure to build fast. Defective products that go to multiple manufacturers meant multitudes of recalls.
Recalls jumped even more during the pandemic years.
Since 2020, three of the biggest RV manufacturers in the country have recalled hundreds of thousands of their products, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Companies owned by Thor Industries, the largest RV maker in the country, recalled more than 156,000 RVs this year. Forest River recalled nearly 200,000 RVs this year. Winnebago Industries recalled more than 125,000 RVs this year.
Among the problems that led to recalls: gas leaks, various electrical issues, increased propane pressure, and poorly installed awnings.
In its statement to IndyStar, Thor Industries said the quality of its units went up even as factories were producing more. The company cited its lower warranty claims for products sold during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic years. But that doesn’t account for the recalls.
Forest River didn’t respond to requests for comment. Winnebago Industries didn’t answer questions about alleged quality issues.
A Hershey, Pennsylvania-based RVer bought a new 2022 unit valued at more than $100,000, only to have the generator and some other items stop working. After six weeks passed, he had no resort but to call the corporate office as he couldn’t get the manager to return his calls. Finally, he was told his warranty may have expired. After multiple calls, his unit was delivered to him in early June, but alas, not in acceptable condition. As you might expect, he wants a full refund. He’s still waiting.
Others, like John Kucharski, face a steady stream of issues that are not as devastating but add up to far more than just inconveniences. Kucharski, a longtime camper, had spent years saving enough money to buy a brand-new RV. He planned to spend his retirement years traveling the country with his fiancée.
So in December, he bought a brand new Keystone Cougar, a 40-foot trailer, and paid the full price of $80,000. But problems became apparent as soon as he brought the RV home to Mesa, Arizona.
Among a long list of more than a dozen problems: The slide-outs aren’t sliding out properly. There’s a rip on the kitchen floor. The frame of the back window is bent. The bolts that hold one of the couches together are stripped so the back of the couch falls off. The drawers aren’t opening properly.
“All these things are fixable and at some point in the trailer’s life will go wrong,” Kucharski said. “But when you buy brand new—and we’re talking about a lot of money … And to get home and see all this shoddy work.”
The RV was sitting in a repair shop just three weeks after Kucharski bought it.
By August, a day before Kucharski was about to go on a six-day road trip, he saw the roof was coming off and large air bubbles had formed on its outer layer.
“I don’t even know where to begin. I would be so outrageously angry if I wasn’t so disgusted,” Kucharski said in a scathing email he sent last month to Keystone RV and the dealership.
Keystone RV did not respond to a request for comment.
But no matter how angry he becomes, Kucharski said he knows not much will change.
“Manufacturers and dealers expect consumers to fall in line to buy RVs. So why make them better?” Kucharski said. “You just know you’re going to buy crap.”
Worth Pondering…
It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.
