RVRESOLVE

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
DUTCHMEN / AEROLITE 2011
DUTCHMEN / COLEMAN 2011
DUTCHMEN / COLORADO 2011
DUTCHMEN / DENALI 2011
DUTCHMEN / DUTCHMEN 2011
DUTCHMEN / FOUR WINDS 2011
DUTCHMEN / GRAND JUNCTION 2011
DUTCHMEN / KODIAK 2011
DUTCHMEN / VOLTAGE 2011
Manufacturer: DUTCHMEN MANUFACTURING, INC. Mfr's Report Date: NOV 16, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V589000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1723
Summary:
DUTCHMEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TRAVEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 10, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010, AND EQUIPPED WITH SIEMENS AND MURRAY ONE INCH PLUG-IN CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE "SPRING CLIP" PLUG-IN ASSEMBLY MAY BREAK OR FAIL TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FORCE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE PANEL BOARD.
Consequence:
THIS COULD LEAD TO EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE, ARCING OR THERMAL DAMAGE AT THE CONNECTION POINT, AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PANEL BOARD'S ELECTRICAL INSULATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BREAKERS AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DUTCHMEN WARRANTY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 574-537-0700.
Notes:
OWNERS 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 .

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
KEYSTONE / ALPINE 2010-2011
KEYSTONE / AVALANCHE 2010-2011
KEYSTONE / CHALLENGER 2009-2010
KEYSTONE / EVEREST 2009-2010
KEYSTONE / FUZION 2009-2011
KEYSTONE / MONTANA 2009-2011
KEYSTONE / MONTANA HIGH COUNTRY 2010-2011
KEYSTONE / MONTANA-BIG SKY 2009-2011
KEYSTONE / MONTANA-MOUNTAINEER 2010-2011
KEYSTONE / RAPTOR 2009-2011
Manufacturer: KEYSTONE RV COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: DEC 23, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V594000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6297
Summary:
KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS WITH A GENERATOR READY OPTION. IF THE TRANSFER SWITCH IS NOT INSTALLED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS, THE ELEVATED ELECTRICAL LOADS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE USE IN HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE LUGS AND DEGRADING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS.
Consequence:
OVERHEATING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRANSFER SWITCH IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Notes:
KEYSTONE SAFETY RECALL NO. 10-153. OWNERS 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 .

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
FOREST RIVER / GEORGETOWN 2011
Manufacturer: FOREST RIVER, INC. Mfr's Report Date: NOV 16, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V595000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 58
Summary:
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 GEORGETOWN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY NO. 302, "FLAMMABILITY OF INTERIOR MATERIALS". THE FABRICS USED IN WINDOW TREATMENTS, WINDOW VALANCES, DRAPERY, AND BED SPREADS ARE NOT TREATED WITH FLAME RETARDANT.
Consequence:
FAILURE TO HAVE THE FABRIC TREATED WITH FLAME RETARDANT IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE COULD CAUSE THE FABRIC TO BURN FASTER INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL TREAT THE FABRIC WITH FLAME RETARDANT FABRIC TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 574-206-7605.
Notes:
OWNERS 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 .

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
COACHMEN / CATALINA 2011
COACHMEN / FREEDOM EXPRESS 2011
Manufacturer: COACHMEN RV COMPANY, LLC Mfr's Report Date: DEC 01, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V596000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: WHEELS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 215
Summary:
COACHMEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CATALINA AND FREEDOM EXPRESS COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 AND EQUIPPED WITH 15" X 6" WHITE SPOKE OR MODULAR DESIGN STEEL WHEELS WITH A SIX HOLE BOLT PATTERN. SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE CENTER PLATE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATE ALIGNMENT.
Consequence:
THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL WHEEL FAILURE AND WHEEL LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy:
COACHMEN WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COACHMEN RV CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-453-6064.
Notes:
OWNERS 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 .

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
KEYSTONE / COUGAR 2011
KEYSTONE / ENERGY 2011
KEYSTONE / HORNET 2011
KEYSTONE / LAREDO 2011
KEYSTONE / OUTBACK 2011
KEYSTONE / SPRINGDALE 2011
KEYSTONE / SPRINTER 2011
Manufacturer: KEYSTONE RV COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: NOV 19, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V597000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: WHEELS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 2338
Summary:
KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 15" X 6" WHITE SPOKE OR MODULAR DESIGN STEEL WHEELS WITH A SIX HOLE BOLT PATTERN. SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE CENTER PLATE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATE ALIGNMENT.
Consequence:
THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL WHEEL FAILURE AND WHEEL LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy:
KEYSTONE WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Notes:
KEYSTONE SAFETY RECALL NO. 10-157. OWNERS 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 .

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
SKYLINE / ALJO 2011
SKYLINE / LAYTON 2011
SKYLINE / MOUNTAIN VIEW 2011
SKYLINE / NOMAD 2011
SKYLINE / WEEKENDER 2011
Manufacturer: SKYLINE CORPORATION Mfr's Report Date: NOV 24, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V592000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: WHEELS:RIM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 57
Summary:
SKYLINE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 LAYTON, ALJO, NOMAD, WEEKENDER, AND MOUNTAIN VIEW RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH TREDIT TIRE 15" PAINTED WHEELS, MODELS SPOKE OR MOD. SOME OF THE WHEELS, WHICH FASTEN TO THE AXLE OF THE VEHICLE BODY AND SERVE AS A MOUNTING POINT FOR TIRES, COULD CONTAIN MIS-ALIGNED WELDS.
Consequence:
THE WHEELS MAY BREAK WHILE IN USE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
SKYLINE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKYLINE CONSUMER RELATIONS AT 1-800-733-4250.
Notes:
OWNERS 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 .

FROM GREG GARBER OF RV DAILY REPORT:

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. -- On Nov. 18, an Ottawa County, Mich., jury rendered a verdict that Blue Bird Corporation committed intentional fraud, among other things, in that it knowingly manufactured 57 overweight and dangerous motorhomes and for two years, between 2004-2006, sold them to unsuspecting customers, a law firm representing victims reported today.

Blue Bird manufactured and sold these coaches, designated Blue Bird "Wanderlodge M450 LXi", at prices starting at $700,000 and reaching more than $1 million dollars.

The jury verdict stated that Blue Bird made the fraudulent statements with the intent that the statements be relied upon by its customer and that Blue Bird intentionally created a false impression about its product intending that its customer would rely upon it, said H. Joel Newman, a founding shareholder in the law firm of Hyman Lippitt PC.

The jury verdict was rendered in favor of Anthony McNeal, of Franklin, Mich., on his claims for fraud, silent fraud, breach of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, and breach of implied warranty.

Newman, who served as McNeal's lead trial attorney, said he believes it is critical that this information finally comes to light six years after the first dangerous vehicle was manufactured, because this company manufactures and sells school buses that transport thousands of children every day.

The lawsuit alleged that the defects in these motorhomes, which Blue Bird denied and/or failed to disclose, were known for years, even as it continued to manufacture and sell the vehicles caused, among other things, a disproportionate number of front tire problems, especially on the curb side of the vehicle, said Newman. He believes at least one fatal accident was caused by the same defects the jury found. The fatal accident occurred in October 2007 ,and is the subject of a secret settlement between Blue Bird and the family of the decedent, said Newman.

Shortly after the accident, in December 2007, Blue Bird reported the problem to NHTSA. Customers were notified in March 2008.

Blue Bird then conducted a recall which did not resolve the problem, said Newman. Then it conducted a second phase of the recall that resulted in additional problems, he added. Subsequently, a third phase recall was conducted. The jury found that the vehicle was still defective even after the third recall by Blue Bird, said Newman.

"During the trial, company witnesses admitted knowing the coaches were built with tie rods which did not meet their specifications," said Newman. "According to the witnesses, when Blue Bird learned of the tie rod problem, it failed to warn customers or dealers promptly, and continued to manufacture and sell the coaches. They also admitted that failed tie rods could result in loss of steering control.

"Company engineers admitted on cross examination that the company had weighed the coaches at the time of manufacture and knew of the overweight condition since 2004," he added. "Company witnesses admitted on cross examination that the coaches should never have been built or sold in their overweight condition."

Several of the engineers involved testified that the best fix would have been to reduce the weight of the coaches substantially, Newman explained.

According to the lawsuit, that would have been expensive, and was not done. "The lawsuit alleged that in the end, the company opted for a series of less expensive solutions," said Newman. "Hyman Lippitt PC believes in the interim, Blue Bird misrepresented the unloaded vehicle weights and the cargo carrying capacities of the coaches and continued to sell them.

"Months before the fatal accident in October 2007, Blue Bird sold its motorhome division to Coachworks Holdings, Inc.," Newman explained. "Coachworks' president, Dale T. Carson, testified that Blue Bird had not disclosed that the vehicles exceeded their axle weight ratings until after Coachworks had purchased the business. Mr. Carson testified that Coachworks learned of the problem after the purchase and never manufactured a single Wanderlodge M450 LXi. Coachworks is now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy."

SOURCE: Hyman Lippitt PC press release

FROM RVBUSINESS.COM:

A member of the family that founded Oregon-based Country Coach plans to reopen the company in January, on what appears to be a smaller scale — at least initially — than the RV maker formerly operated on, the Eugene Register-Guard reported.
Country Coach LLC went out of business last year.
Newly incorporated Country Coach Corp. says on its website: “We are pleased to announce that Country Coach Corporation is starting up operations at the factory in Junction City, Oregon, on January 3, 2011. At that time we will post contact numbers for our service center and our technical service support lines here on our website.”
“Country Coach Corporation owns all of the intellectual property (IP) of the former Country Coach, Inc. and Country Coach LLC,” according to the website, www.countrycoach.com. “This IP includes all of the production tooling and molds for fabricating virtually every part of your Country Coach Motorhome. Also included in the IP are all of the engineering drawings, bills of material, and as-built configurations for Country Coach Motor homes and DynoMax chassis built over the years.
“Our initial goal is to use the power of the IP and factory trained personnel to supply complete coach service, parts manufacturing, paint shop, phone technical service, and consignment sales to help maintain the investment in your Country Coach Motorhome.”
At the bottom of the website is a photo of a Country Coach RV, with the caption “Ron Lee’s 2009 Country Coach Magna.” Lee, who could not be reached for comment, is listed as the agent for Country Coach Corp. in state records.
Lee’s brother, Bob, founded Country Coach in 1973. The company was sold to California-based National R.V. Holdings in 1996, but Lee and others complained about what they saw as the new owner’s lack of support for the Junction City operation. A group led by Los Angeles investment banker Bryant Riley that included Bob Lee bought Country Coach back in 2007, shortly before the recession hit. Country Coach LLC, which had financial problems, attempted to reorganize under the protection of bankruptcy court, was unable to do so and was liquidated.
Earlier this year, Ron and Bob Lee and Bob’s wife, Terry, bought the company’s intellectual property as well as key pieces of equipment at auction. The family already owns most of the land and buildings.
Junction City’s interim administrator, Jamon Kent, said Friday that the city is aware — “and very supportive” — of efforts to resurrect Country Coach in some form.
“Country Coach is an extremely important part of our town and has been for some time,” Kent said. At its peak, Country Coach employed about 1,800 people. And, Kent said, the company and its employees supported other local businesses.
Kent said he believes Ron Lee plans, at least initially, to serve Country Coach owners who want to repair or modify their RVs, rather than build new ones. David Diamond, who is working with Lee on the start-up, said he couldn’t provide much information beyond what is on the company website.
But, he said, “Ron Lee has three goals: To save the property, to save the name Country Coach, and to bring back jobs to Lane County for so many workers that formerly worked for Country Coach, or the RV industry, or any industry that has gone away in our neighborhood.”

The following opinion piece was written and provided to RVBUSINESS.com by Paul Friesen, owner of the KOA campground in Watkins Glen, N.Y. In his e-mail, Friesen explained,

“Please understand that I am a big supporter of the camping and RVing industry. Owning and running a campground truly is a wonderful way of life, and it is one that is really good for the folks we serve. Unfortunately, sometimes we need to ‘walk in the shoes of others.’ My wife and I have done so by being full-time RVers, so not only have we walked in their ’shoes’ but we obviously have also gotten blisters from them, too. I sincerely want a unified industry that focuses on taking care of the camper and the RVer. And for folks that seemingly can only be motivated by profits, I can with certainty say that they would be much more successful and more profitable by focusing on the needs of the customer.”


Full timing in a BIG RIG motorhome is both a delight and a nightmare. Fortunately the delights still outnumber the nightmares. But unfortunately, many of the nightmares are caused by the RVing industry itself and are totally unnecessary. To put this article in perspective, I, too, am involved in the RVing industry, as my wife and I own a prominent campground in New York State. We also have been full-time RVers for a little over two years. Since my wife and I do own a campground, let me start with campgrounds. Simply stated, very few campgrounds can effectively accommodate BIG RIGS. Most say they can, but few really can, and mostly because they don’t seem to know how. They think, “This is a long pull-thru, therefore it’s a BIG RIG site”. But that isn’t enough! Roads have to be wide enough, turning radiuses have to be sufficient, trees have to be properly trimmed, and obstacles have to be cleared… all before considering the required 50 amp power and other site utilities that may be necessary.
RV dealers generally don’t accommodate the service needs of either full timers or vacationers well at all. They seem to have built their businesses based on servicing weekender RVers who can leave their unit with the dealer for extended periods. Complicating matters, most dealers seem to work on an “appointment only” basis, and then they maintain a service backlog of at least a month. Both as a campground owner trying to help an RVer customer and also as an RVer myself, this creates intense frustration.
RV manufacturers seem almost entirely disconnected with RVers. It’s as if after they’ve delivered the unit to the RV dealer, their job is done. In my opinion, any manufacturer who chooses to install exclusive or proprietary systems has an obligation for making timely repairs available with minimal inconvenience to the customer. To not do so is irresponsible.
On the other hand, I’ve come to realize that I when I have a chassis issue, I can get pretty good and timely service from a truck repair shop. But I guess they have to be responsive … just imagine if the over-the-road trucking industry had to rely on the RV industry to keep them rolling!
The truth is that the RVing industry as a whole often does not do a good job of taking care of the customer. If we (myself included) in the RVing industry do not take care of our customers, then we really don’t deserve to stay in business.

Paul R. Friesen

MY COMPUTER WAS DOWN FOR A MONTH. I AM NOW BACK UP AND RUNNING.

THANK YOU,

MIKE