Friday, August 09, 2013

 

THERE IS A RECALL FOR ALMOST THREE MILLION DOOR HANDLES INSTALLED THE LAST SEVEN AND ONE HALF YEARS

From RV Business:

A U.S. maker of recreational vehicle door handles issued a recall for 2.86 million units, a federal agency said Wednesday (Aug. 7).
UPI reported that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a posting on its website Fastec Industrial Corp., a part of Pittsburgh’s WESCO Distribution Inc., handles were installed on RV’s from January 2006 to April 2013.
The recalled handles have “deadbolts that could jam, making it impossible to exit the vehicle,” NHTSA said.
The agency said it may be possible to remove the key from the handle’s lock in a way that potentially jams the deadbolt in locks with certain key codes.
The agency said Fastec will notify the original door and vehicle makers, and consumers of record, to instruct them on how to determine whether they have a defective lock.
Consumers of record will be sent replacement cylinders with instructions, free of charge. The vehicle manufacturers will notify their consumers. The recall is expected to begin Sept. 10.
Owners also may contact Fastec at 1-800-837-2505 or the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.


From RV Daily Report:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fastec Industrial Corp. (FIC) is recalling 2,864,670 model 43610, 40610, and 44610 door locks manufactured between Jan. 2006 and April 2013 with a keyed paddle handle and deadbolt for use in recreational vehicles. It may be possible to remove the key from the lock in a way that potentially jams the deadbolt in locks with certain key codes.

If the deadbolt jams, the interior side of the door lock may also jam. A person inside the recreational vehicle at the time will then be locked in and be unable to exit the vehicle without using the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

FIC will notify the original equipment door and recreational vehicle manufacturers and the consumers of record and instruct them on how to determine whether they have a defective lock. Consumers of record will be sent replacement cylinders with instructions, free of charge. The vehicle manufacturers will notify their consumers. The recall is expected to begin Sept. 10, 2013. Owners may contact FIC at 1.800.837.2505.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1.888.327.4236 (TTY 1.800.424.9153), or go towww.safercar.gov

SOURCE: NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

 

MONACO, HOLIDAY RAMBLER, FLEETWOOD AND AMERICAN COACH TO BE BUILT IN THE SAME PLANTS IN DECATUR INDIANA


Wakarusa RV plants to move in August

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Posted: Thursday, May 16, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 5:15 pm, Thu Jul 11, 2013.
WAKARUSA -- What looked so promising in 2012 with Monaco RV adding 400 jobs in Wakarusa is now moving in the opposite direction.
In August, the company will ramp down its operations at its Monaco RV and Holiday Rambler plants and move operations to Decatur, Ind. That'swhat about 520 employees at the two plants learned Thursday.
Allied Specialty Vehicles announced Thursday the purchase of Monaco RV, Holiday Rambler and R-Vision recreational vehicles, including the Beaver and Safari brands, from Navistar Inc.
R-Vision is produced in Elkhart and will remain unaffected by the purchase, Jim Meyer, chief operating officer of Allied Specialty Vehicles, said Thursday.
But it's a far different scenario for employees in Wakarusa, 425 of whom work in manufacturing.
"The initial part of the plan is to not take more production orders for Wakarusa," Meyer said. "We have production now that will run into August.
"We will keep that production here, and then we will begin to ramp down the manufacturing part of thebusiness in Wakarusa."
Meyer said that American Industrial Partners, the private equity firm in New York that owns Allied Specialty Vehicles, has been interested in purchasing the RV brands for some time. He said the timing was right and their bid was selected.
"The companies are in difficult financial times," he said. "That's a fact. We feel very confident in our ability to work our way through the financial piece of this thing and restore these brands back to where they've been most of their lives."
ASV's attempt to do so, though, means the brands will move to Decatur, near Fort Wayne, where the company's plants already produce RV brands Fleetwood and American Coach, Meyer said.
"We have a large campus today in Decatur, and the very straightforward and obvious integration is to move this business to Decatur, rather than go the other way for a whole lot of logistical reasons," he said.
One of the reasons for the move, Meyer said, is the Wakarusa plants' size.
"There are world-class production facilities here (in Wakarusa)," he said, "but they are too large for the size of the business."
ASV plans to sell the facilities in Wakarusa, and Meyer's hope is that many of the workers there will find work at whatever business ends up buying the plant.
"We're going to have a plan as good as we can make it for each and every employee to help them with this wind down and transition for future jobs," he said, adding that he's confident the Wakarusa operations will be sold.
The RV business is doing well, he noted, and some companies lack capacity.
He refused to elaborate on how far along any potential sale of the facility might be.
Jobs will be created in Decatur, and Wakarusa workers will have the opportunity to transfer there or other ASV facilities in the United States, Meyer said. He cautioned, though, that job creation in Decatur versus job loss in Wakarusa is not a one-for-one proposition.
ASV met briefly with employees Thursday and gave them the rest of the day off with pay. Meyer said the company will begin meeting with workers individually today to explain the transition to their final day, including current and ongoing benefits.
"We hope to absolutely minimize the impact to folks," he said.
He expressed confidence that long before next May, workers might be working in the same facility, albeit for a different company.
"We will let that process play out," he said. "The industry in total is ramping up."
Meyer said the purchase by ASV earlier this month of ambulance manufacturer SJC Industries and its McCoy-Miller and Marque brands from Thor Industries was unrelated.
Staff writer Jim Meenan:
jmeenan@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6342

 

NAVISTAR SOLD WORKHORSE TO AMP HOLDING INC BACK IN MARCH 2013


March 14, 2013 by RV Business
AMP Holding Inc., through a newly formed subsidiary, Amp Trucks Inc., has completed the acquisition of the Workhorse brand, logo, IP, patents and assembly plant from Workhorse Custom Chassis LLC, a wholly owned affiliate of Navistar International Corp. and has today (March 14) taken possession of the assembly plant.
The Union City, Ind., assembly plant has the capacity to produce up to 30,000 chassis per year. AMP plans to produce step-ans and other vehicle types for the North American medium-duty, commercial truck market at the facility.
AMP will manufacture its all-electric Workhorse chassis along with gasoline-powered, and alternative-fuel powered models and will be sold and supported through the existing Workhorse network of 440 dealers. This acquisition positions AMP as the first truck OEM in the United States to offer medium-duty commercial-grade electric, gasoline, propane, hybrid and CNG vehicles.
AMP Chairman Jim Taylor said, “We look forward to owning Workhorse, a highly respected brand, and having the opportunity to install our electric power train in a well-proven chassis and, at the same time, continuing to satisfy the needs of long-standing Workhorse customers.”

 

THOR SELLS IT'S BUS BUSINESS TO COMPANY THAT OWNS FLEETWOOD AND MONACO


Thor Exits Bus Market; Selling Interests to ASV

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August 1, 2013 by RV Business: 
Thor Industries Inc. today (July 31) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its bus business to Allied Specialty Vehicles Inc. (ASV) for $100 million in cash, subject to closing adjustments. The sale is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.
“Although the bus business has been a valuable part of Thor, this transaction allows us to focus on maintaining and growing our leadership position in our core recreation vehicle business,” said Peter B. Orthwein, chairman of Elkhart, Ind.-based Thor. “From an investor perspective, divesting the bus business will simplify our overall operations and solidify Thor’s position as the leading company in the RV industry which is recovering strongly. Pursuing the strategic development of our RV business enables us to drive growth in sales and earnings, ultimately delivering improved value for our shareholders.”
Thor’s bus business includes Champion Bus Inc., General Coach America Inc., Goshen Coach Inc., El Dorado National California Inc., and El Dorado National Kansas Inc., which combined represent one of the largest producers of transit and shuttle buses in North America with bus segment sales of approximately $450 million for the fiscal year ended July 31. In addition to its bus interests, ASV is parent to Fleetwood RV Inc. and recently acquired the RV assets of Navistar Inc., including the Monaco Coach and Holiday Rambler brands.
“We are excited to add the Thor bus business to our diverse line up of specialty vehicles,” said Peter Guile, president and CEO of Allied Specialty Vehicles. “We view the opportunity to expand our business into the transit and shuttle bus markets as a key initiative in broadening our markets and providing products that meet the needs of our dealers and end consumers. We are eager to welcome these new bus brands to the ASV family.”
Thor will continue to own and operate the bus business until the closing date of the sale. As a result of the decision to pursue a divestment of the bus business, Thor will report the financial results of the bus business as discontinued operations in its upcoming annual report filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which the company expects to file in late September. Thor does not anticipate any impairment to goodwill or intangible assets of the bus business as a result of the sale.
Thor expects to report preliminary sales for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended July 31 on  Aug. 5.

 

RV RELATED RECALLS FOR DECEMBER 2012 FROM NHTSA

From RV Business:


Editor’s Note: The following is a list of RV-related recalls for December compiled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA).
• Winnebago Industries Inc. is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Winnebago model Era, View, and Via motorhomes, and 2010-2013 Itasca model Navion and Reyo motorhomes; manufactured November 13, 2007 through August 10, 2012. The proper fuses were not installed for the refrigerator circuits. Winnebago will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuses. The recall is expected to begin in early January 2013. Consumers may contact Winnebago Industries owner relations at 1-641-585-6939. Winnebago’s recall campaign number is 127.
• Spartan Chassis Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 K2, K3, and MM motorhome chassis, manufactured July 23, 2012, through November 7, 2012 and equipped with an independent front suspension that has the ABS modulator valve mounted in a forward position. The front brake hoses or the ABS sensor cable may be damaged as a result of contact with the swaybar. Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan’s recall campaign number is 12015.
• Winnebago Industries is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Winnebago Journey and Tour motorhomes, and certain model year 2010-2013 Itasca Meridian and Ellipse motorhomes, manufactured June 18, 2010, through November 17, 2011. The chassis are equipped with connectors for diode jumpers that may come loose, resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use. Daimler Trucks North America will be conducting the recall on behalf of Winnebago Industries. Daimler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall is expected to begin on January 28, 2013. Owners should contact Winnebago at 1-641-585-3535 or Daimler Trucks at 1-503-745-6910.
• Thor Motor Coach is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Tuscany, Astoria, Ultrasport, Montecito, and Palazzo recreational vehicles manufactured from May 17, 2010, through October 30, 2012, built on Freightliner brand XB and XC custom chassis. The vehicles are equipped with diode jumpers that may come loose in their connectors resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use. Daimler Trucks (DTNA) will notify owners on behalf of Thor, and Freightliner dealers will inspect the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall is expected to begin January 28, 2013. Owners should contact DTNA Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, e-mail address DTNA.Warranty.Campaigns@Daimler.com, or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) FTL-HELP after normal business hours.
• Winnebago is recalling one model year 2008 Aspect motorhome manufactured on September 12, 2007. The motorhome is equipped with a Ricon manufactured wheelchair lift which has an optional armored pendant cable. The cable may have been installed such that it doesn’t clear the wheelchair lift and without a protective cover, or a misinstalled protective cover. Ricon will be conducting this recall on behalf of Winnebago. Ricon will notify the affected owner and will provide a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-641-585-3535 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
• Newmar Corp. is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Ventana Class A, Dutch Star Class A, and Mountain Aire Class A model motor homes manufactured from January 25, 2010, through September 19, 2012, built on Freightliner brand XB and XC custom chassis. The chassis are equipped with connectors for diode jumpers that may come loose, resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use. Daimler Trucks (DTNA) will notify owners on behalf of Newmar, and Freightliner dealers will inspect the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall is expected to begin January 28, 2013. Owners should contact DTNA Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, e-mail address DTNA.Warranty.Campaigns@Daimler.com, or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) FTL-HELP after normal business hours. DTNA’s recall campaign number is FL-634.
• Airstream Inc. is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Interstate motorhomes manufactured August 2007, through December 2012 and equipped with the rear sofa floor plan. The electrical equipment underneath the sofa may come in contact with the seat belt buckle or metal cables from the seat. If the metal sofa components come in contact with the electrical components, electrical arcing could occur. Arcing may lead to a vehicle fire. Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will install a cover over the electrical components, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by late January 2013. Owners may contact Airstream at 1-877-596-6111.
• Keystone RV Co. is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Springdale travel trailers, model 266RLSSRWE, manufactured from October 18, 2011, through December 5, 2012. The suspension may contact the copper propane line for the range. Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will modify the propane line to route it away from the suspension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during early January 2013. Owners may contact Keystone Customer Service by calling 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s recall campaign number is 12-186.
• Prevost Car Co. is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 X3-45 Prevost coaches manufactured from March 25, 2011, through March 20, 2012. The left side radius rod support for the front I-beam suspension system may have been made from the wrong materials and thus, may suddenly break. Prevost will notify owners, and dealers will insepct the vehicles and replace any affected radius rod supports, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided the agency with a remedy schedule. Owners may contact Prevost at 1-418-883-2888. Prevost’s recall campaign number is SR13-01.

 

RV RELATED RECALLS FOR JANUARY FROM NHTSA


From RV Business:

Editor’s Note: The following is a list of RV-related recalls for January compiled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA).
• Forest River Inc. is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Berkshire and Charleston diesel motorhomes. The chassis are equipped with connectors for diode jumpers that may come loose, resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use. Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) is performing this recall on behalf of Forest River. DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall began in January 2013. Owners should contact Daimler Trucks Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, e-mail address DTNA.Warranty.Campaigns@Daimler.com, or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) FTL-HELP after normal business hours.
• Fleetwood RV Inc. is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Bounder Classic model 30T motorhomes manufactured from February 17, 2012, through November 30, 2012. The Federal Certification Tag information relating to front and rear tires is incorrect. Due to the inaccurate label, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Part 567, “Certification.” Fleetwood RV will mail new federal certification tags to owners. Owners who are not comfortable installing these labels may have them replaced at a dealer, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2013. Owners may contact Fleetwood RV Owner Relations at 1-800-509-3418.
• Entegra Coach is recalling certain model year 2013 Aspire Class A motorhomes manufactured April 11, 2012, through August 30, 2012. On the affected vehicles, the Certification label incorrectly identifies the size of the tires on the rear axles. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, “Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars.” Entegra Coach will notify owners and dealers will replace the Certification label. The recall is expected to begin during February 2013. Owners may contact Entegra Coach at 1-800-945-4787.
• Prevost is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 H3 and X3 coaches and MTH XLII-45E coach shells manufactured between June 29, 2009, up to June 4, 2012, and equipped with an Automatic Fire Detection and Suppression System (AFSS). There is the possibility that the AFSS could unintentionally activate due to wear of the linear thermal detection cable. The recall is expected to begin during February 2013. Owners may contact Prevost at 1-418-883-2888 x 6558. Prevost’s campaign recall number is SR13-03.
• Dutchmen Manufacturing Inc. is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Grand Junction; model year 2008-2009 Victory Lane and Winners Circle; model year 2009-2010 N’Tense; model year 2010 Freedom Spirit and model year 2009 Monte Vista recreational trailers. The affected trailers are equipped with Iota ITS-50R transfer switches. Wiring connections inside the transfer switch are not adequate and, as a result, the switch may overheat. An overheated switch could result in a fire. Dutchmen will notify owners and replace the Iota transfer switch, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Dutchmen at 1-574-537-0700.
• Entegra Coach is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Aspire and Anthem Class A motorhomes; and 2012-2013 Cornerstone Class A motorhomes, manufactured March 14,2011, through September 25, 2012. A wiper link was installed which is shorter than required for proper function of the wiper system. Entegra Coach will notify owners and dealers will replace the wiper link, at no charge. The recall is expected to begin during February 2013. Owners may contact Entegra Coach at 1-800-945-4787.

 

RV RELATED RECALLS FOR FEBRUARY FROM NHTSA

From RV Business:


Editor’s Note: The following is a list of RV-related recalls for January compiled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA).
• Forest River Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Lexington, Forester andn Sunseeker Class B and C motorhomes built on Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana chassis. It may be possible to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle is running or the transmission is not in the Park position. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, “Theft Protection.” General Motors (GM) will notify owners on behalf of Forest River. GM dealers will replace the ignition lock cylinder and the two associated keys. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on Feb. 28. For more information, GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463 and Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Owner’s may also contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600.
• Prevost Car Co. is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 X3-45, H3-41 and H3-45 coaches, model year 2011-2013 H3-45 VIP coaches, model year 2012-2013 X3-45 VIP coaches, and model year 2009-2013 XLII-45 Entertainer coaches manufactured from May 16, 2007, through Feb. 6, 2013 and equipped with Volvo engines. Certain conditions may cause the affected coaches to go into a software mode that would result in the throttle signal being fixed at 1700 rpms regardless of throttle pedal input from the driver. Prevost will notify owners and dealers will remedy the affected coaches free of charge. A notification schedule has not been provided. The Prevost recall campaign number is SR13-07.
• Keystone RV Co. is recalling certain model 2013 Springdale 266RLSSR and 267BHSSR travel trailers, manufactured from Nov. 19, 2012, through Feb. 5, 2013. These vehicles were manufactured with the incorrect information on the Federal Identification Tag and Tire and Loading Information Label. The tire inflation pressure is incorrectly listed as 448 KPA (65 PSI) instead of 345 KPA (50 PSI). Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, “Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars.” Keystone will notify owners and provide corrected labels. The recall began on Feb. 27. Owners may contact Keystone at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s recall number is 13-189.
• Navistar International Corp. is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Workhorse Custom Chassis LLC W42 and W62 vehicles, manufactured from July 18, 2011, through July 12, 2012, and equipped with hydraulic brakes. The brake fluid level indicator (FLI) may not properly detect a low brake fluid level situation and warn the driver. Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FLI switch free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin by April 22. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar’s recall campaign number is 13503.
• Prevost is recalling certain model year 1993 thru 2013 model H3-40, H3-41, H3-45, and H3-45 VIP Prevost coaches manufactured from December 1993 through Feb. 12, 2013. Under certain conditions, the drag link collar position combined with an over torque of the collar retaining bolt may create a contact with the pitman arm. Prevost will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any affected drag link, free of charge. The manufacturer has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Prevost at 1-418-883-2888. Prevost’s recall campaign number is SR13-08.
• Northwood Manufacturing LLC is recalling certain model year 2013 Arctic Fox 29-5K and 29-5T fifth wheel trailers; model year 2013 Desert Fox 29SB toy hauler trailers; model year 2013 Fox Mountain 235RLS and 285RLS fifth wheel trailers; and model year 2013 Snow River 266RDS travel trailers. These vehicles were manufactured with incorrect information on the Federal Identification Tag, Tire and Axle Information Label and the Trailer Weight Information Label. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, “Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars.” Northwood will notify owners and provide corrected replacement labels free of charge. Northwood mailed labels on March 13. Owners may contact Northwood at 1-800-766-6274.
• Keystone is recalling certain model year 2013 Montana fifth-wheel vehicles manufactured Jan. 16, 2013, through Feb. 18, 2013; and 2013 Fuzion fifth-wheel vehicles manufactured Jan. 22, 2013, through Feb. 18, 2013. These vehicles are equipped with Progressive Dynamics power converters with serial number prefix A13014 through A13039. The converters have a internal components that may short circuit. Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected internal components of the power converter, free of charge. The recall will begin in March. Owners may contact Keystone Customer Service by calling 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s recall campaign number is 13-191.

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