Wednesday, July 09, 2008

 

RECALL: 2004-2007 HOST CAMPERS: DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
HOST CAMPERS / 270 2007
HOST CAMPERS / BACHELOR 2004-2007
HOST CAMPERS / MCKINLEY 2004-2007
HOST CAMPERS / RAINIER 2004-2007
HOST CAMPERS / TAHOE 2004-2007
HOST CAMPERS / YELLOWSTONE 2004-2007
HOST CAMPERS / YUKON 2004-2007
Manufacturer : HOST INDUSTRIES Mfr's Report Date : JUN 30, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V294000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08010
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 546
Summary:
HOST INDUSTRIES IS RECALLING 546 MY 2004-2007 BACHELOR(8.5') , MCKINLEY (8.5'), RAINIER (9.5'), TAHOE (10.5') , YUKON (11.5'), YELLOWSTONE (11.5') CAMPERS, AND MY 2007 MODEL 270 CLASS C MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
HOST INDUSTRIES IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR HOST INDUSTRIES 1-541-330-2328.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL: 2003-2006 PALAMINO TRAILERS: DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
PALOMINO / STAMPEDE 2003-2006
PALOMINO / THOROUGHBRED 2003-2006
Manufacturer : PALOMINO RV Mfr's Report Date : JUN 23, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V293000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08010
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 3780
Summary:
PALOMINO IS RECALLING 3,780 MY 2003-2006 STAMPEDE AND THOROUGHBRED TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
PALOMINO IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR PALOMINO AT 1-269-432-3246.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

2008-2009 FLEETWOOD MOTOR HOMES: INCORRECT CARGO CAPACITY WEIGHT TAGS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
FLEETWOOD / AMERICAN ALLEGIANCE 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / AMERICAN EAGLE 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / AMERICAN HERITAGE 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / AMERICAN TRADITION 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / BOUNDER 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / BOUNDER DIESEL 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / DISCOVERY 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / EXCURSION 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / EXPEDITION 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / FIESTA LX 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / ICON 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / JAMBOREE 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / JAMBOREE GT 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / JAMBOREE SPORT 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / PACE ARROW 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / PROVIDENCE 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / PULSE 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / REVOLUTION LE 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / SOUTHWIND 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / TIOGA 2008-2009
FLEETWOOD / TIOGA RANGER 2008-2009
Manufacturer : FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC. Mfr's Report Date : JUN 26, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V292000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 226
Summary:
FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 226 MY 2008-2009 AMERICAN ALLEGIANCE, AMERICAN EAGLE, AMERICAN HERITAGE, AMERICAN TRADITION, BOUNDER, BOUNDER DIESEL, DISCOVERY, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, FIESTA LX, PACE ARROW, PROVIDENCE, REVOLUTION LE, SOUTHWIND, CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, AND ICON, JAMBOREE, JAMBOREE GT, JAMBOREE SPORT, PULSE, TIOGA, AND TIOGA RANGER CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. THESE MOTOR HOMES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' THE OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY WERE CALCULATED INCORRECTLY ALLOWING ADDITIONAL LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY.
Consequence:
OVERLOADING MAY HAVE AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON MOTOR HOME HANDLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
FLEETWOOD WILL MAIL A CORRECTED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED MOTOR HOME OWNERS. OWNERS WHO DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE INSTALLING THIS LABEL CAN TAKE THEIR MOTOR HOME TO ANY FLEETWOOD DEALER AND THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.
Notes:
FLEETWOOD RECALL NO. 80624. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL: 2003-2007 LONGHORN TRAILERS: DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
LONGHORN / TRAILER 2003-2007
Manufacturer : LONGHORN CONVERSIONS Mfr's Report Date : JUL 01, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V291000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08010
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 16
Summary:
LONGHORN IS RECALLING 16 MY 2003-2007 HORSE OR CARGO TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
LONGHORN SALES IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR LONGHORN AT 660-465-2957.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL: 1999 DAMON MOTOR HOMES: NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
DAMON / ESCAPER 1999
DAMON / INTRUDER 1999
DAMON / ULTRASPORT 1999
Manufacturer : DAMON CORPORATION Mfr's Report Date : JUN 26, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V289000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08009
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 804
Summary:
DAMON IS RECALLING 804 MY 1999 INTRUDER, ULTRASPORT, AND ESCAPER MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.
Consequence:
EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.
Remedy:
DAMON IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E-030). NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767- 9101 OR DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL: 2003-2007 COACH HOUSE PLATINUM MOTOR HOMES: DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
COACH HOUSE / PLATINUM 2003-2007
Manufacturer : COACH HOUSE, INC. Mfr's Report Date : JUN 24, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V288000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08010
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 297
Summary:
COACH HOUSE IS RECALLING 297 MY 2003-2007 PLATINUM MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
COACH HOUSE IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR COACH HOUSE AT 1-941-485-0984
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL: 1999-2002 BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE: NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BLUE BIRD / WANDERLODGE 1999-2002
Manufacturer : BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY Mfr's Report Date : JUN 30, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V286000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08009
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 162
Summary:
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 162 MY 1999-2002 WANDERLODGE MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR OR 1200LRIM GAS/ELECTRIC REFRIGERATORS. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.
Consequence:
EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.
Remedy:
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 24, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-825-2021.
Notes:
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R08NF. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL: 2003-2006 GORE TRAILERS: DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
GORE / CAMPER PACKAGE 2003-2006
GORE / PAMILCO PACKAGE 2003-2006
Manufacturer : GORE TRAILER MANUFACTURER Mfr's Report Date : JUN 26, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V285000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08010
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 6
Summary:
GORE TRAILER IS RECALLING 6 CAMPER PACKAGE AND PAMILCO PACKAGE TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
GORE TRAILER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR GORE TRAILER AT 1-910-642-4298.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

NEW HORIZONS TRAILERS: DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
NEW HORIZONS / FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER 2003-2006
NEW HORIZONS / TRAVEL TRAILER 2003-2006
Manufacturer : NEW HORIZONS RV CORPORATION Mfr's Report Date : JUN 25, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V281000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08010
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected :
Summary:
NEW HORIZON IS RECALLING CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
NEW HORIZON IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR NEW HORIZON AT 1-800-235-3140.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL: CAERPILLAR ENGINES: FUEL LEAK

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
CATERPILLAR / C7 9999
CATERPILLAR / C9 9999
Manufacturer : CATERPILLAR INC. Mfr's Report Date : JUN 26, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08E042000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 8055
Summary:
A PLUG ON THE OUTLET SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP CAN CRACK ON 8,055 C7 AND C9 DIESEL ENGINES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A CR 350 (COMMON RAIL HIGH PRESSURE) PUMP. THE AFFECTED ENGINES INCLUDE 6 CYLINDER C7 (7L) AND C9 (9L) TURBOCHARGED AND AIR-TO-AIR AFTERCOOLED DIESEL ENGINES OF 190 THROUGH 425 HORSEPOWER.
Consequence:
A CRACK IN THIS PLUG CAN RESULT IN A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SPRAY OR LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
EACH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL FILE A DEFECT REPORT AND REMEDY PLAN FOR THEIR VEHICLES WHICH INCLUDED THESE ENGINES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED BY CATERPILLAR AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT EITHER THEIR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-447-4986.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

WHAT IS FEMA GOING TO DO WITH ALL THOSE TRAILERS?

RV Business
Wednesday, July 9, 2008

With four Indiana RV executives scheduled to be questioned today by a congressional committee about formaldehyde levels in travel trailers supplied to house victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is trying to figure out what to do with nearly 100,000 of the trailers sitting idle in storage lots that the agency says it won't use again unless given no other choice.

The trailers are costing the federal government $130 million a year to store, and most could end up being scrap, according to a report on National Public Radio (NPR).

Executives from Pilgrim International Inc., Middlebury, Forest River Inc., Elkhart, Gulf Stream Coach Corp., Nappanee, and Keystone RV Co., Goshen, are scheduled to answer questions during House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearings that begin at 10 a.m.

Wanda Phillips of Purvis, Miss., knows what she wants to have happen to the FEMA trailers. She wants them gone from across from her home where FEMA set up one of several staging areas right after Hurricane Katrina almost three years ago. Thousands of empty trailers are still stored there, row after row, baking in the sun.

"There's trailers, I would say, within 150 feet of my house," says Phillips.

Phillips says the site used to be an open field with a lake and longhorn steer. Now, she says, there's just a herd of white elephants.

And they've caused her plenty of trouble. She says the first problem was traffic - hundreds of large trucks each day delivering and picking up trailers for hurricane victims.

"You couldn't get in and out. They parked in the front yard, parked on our grass, parked on the root system of our trees," says Phillips.

But that was nothing, she says, compared with what followed - insomnia, headaches, coughs and sinus problems. At first, she thought it was all the dust in the air. So she decided to move temporarily to a plot of land she owns elsewhere in the state.

But Phillips made a mistake. She bought a used FEMA trailer to live in.

"And I got worse. I mean, I really.... I just thought I was sick before. I really got worse," she says.

So Phillips decided that if she was going to be sick anyway, she might as well move back home.

And then she recalls sitting on the living room floor one day when her husband tossed her the newspaper and said "Look at this."

"I reached and picked it up off the carpet and I looked at it, and I said, 'Oh my God,' " she remembers. "I said, 'There's formaldehyde in those trailers. What is formaldehyde?' "

And that was just the start.

Since then, Phillips has spent months collecting documents and government reports and making her own stink in an effort to get rid of the trailers. She has joined thousands of Gulf Coast residents who have complained about formaldehyde fumes and are suing the federal government.

FEMA has acknowledged that formaldehyde can be a health problem for people living in some trailers, but it has not said the same for people living near storage sites.

The agency says the ongoing litigation has stalled its efforts to dispose of the more than 94,000 travel trailers it now has sitting - empty and unused - around the country.

Almost a third are in Mississippi.

For Mike Miller, FEMA's field coordinator in Mississippi, the trailers offered a solution to a problem.

"When some folks look at these trailers, they see formaldehyde. When I look at them, I see a cool, dry, clean place for a family to live until they can get established," he says.

Miller drives along a dirt road that cuts through the staging area right across from Phillips' yard. Most of the trailers stored here look as though they're in fairly good shape, although there are several burned-out units, the remnants of household - and meth lab - accidents.

Miller says the trailers served their purpose in the hectic days after Hurricane Katrina, housing more than 120,000 families. But now, he says, he'd be as happy as anyone - if not more so - to see them gone.

"Our job out here in the field is to work ourselves out of a job. But, right now, that's not taking place, so we're in caretaker status and making sure we have good security and a good program to maintain the grounds and the units here," he says.

Taking care of the empty trailers costs money - $28 million a year, just in Mississippi.

FEMA had been selling the trailers but stopped last year because of the concerns about formaldehyde.

Miller says he's heard a lot of jokes since about what to do with the trailers, such as using them to build a border fence with Mexico. But he thinks taxpayers - who spent about $3 billion to buy trailers and mobile homes after Hurricane Katrina - would be better served if the sales resumed.

He says those who want to buy the trailers aren't worried about formaldehyde, because most of them want them for part-time recreational use.

"We got folks, hundreds of folks that are calling us wanting us to buy these units. And over the months, probably thousands of folks," he says. "We had one gentleman come in. He wanted to buy 10,000."

Miller's not sure why, but he suspects it was to house oil field or construction workers.

But what might make sense on the front lines doesn't always make sense at headquarters.

"What we don't want to do is provide travel trailers that have high formaldehyde values and sell that to somebody who may end up living in that unit. We've decided that we're not going to take that chance," says David Garrett, FEMA's deputy assistant administrator for disaster assistance. "We think the safest thing to do is to dispose of these things in a way that may not be a danger to anybody in the future."

And that means selling them for scrap. Garrett says some units might still be sold to individuals, but only after they've been tested to see if they're safe.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also looking at whether air filters or something else can be used to make the trailers safe.

Besides the thousands of units still occupied or sold to individuals, over 7,000 trailers were donated as government surplus to states and nonprofits to be used as police mobile command centers or other temporary facilities.

One of those surplus trailers has ended up in a small lot on the campus of MIT in Cambridge, Mass.

Lecturer Jae Rhim Lee plans to use this trailer for a course she's teaching this fall. And for a campuswide competition called the MIT FEMA Trailer Challenge.

"People will develop solutions to what do you do with these thousands of surplus trailers," she says.

Lee is reluctant to prejudge the outcome of the competition. She doesn't want to stifle anyone's creativity. But, she says, the trailers could be used as mobile health centers or environmental testing labs - something to help people such as Wanda Phillips and others who think they got the raw end of the trailer deal.

Lee says she plans to present the winning ideas to FEMA, hopefully before all the other trailers have been sold for scrap

 

LAZYDAYS RV CENTER LAYS OFF 15% OF WORKFORCE

RV Business
Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Lazydays RV Center Inc., the nation's largest single-location RV dealership, today (July 9) announced the layoff of 75 employees who made up approximately 15% of the company's workforce.

"This reduction in force was a necessary adjustment in light of the current uncertain economic conditions combined with a significant downturn in RV demand,'' Lazydays Marketing Director Tina Richey reports. The firm now employs 561 workers, according to Richey.

In May, Lazydays posted a 9% drop in revenue for its first quarter with both new and used unit sales down from a year ago.

The Seffner, Fla.-based dealership reported net income of $3.5 million in the quarter, ended March 31, compared with $2.9 million a year ago while sales fell to $224.1 million from $241 million.

Sales of new RVs were down 10%, as Class A motorhomes were off 18%. Used RV sales dropped 3% during the period.

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