Recall Corner — October 2005

Damon Motor Coach Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 05V361000, which affects some 2005 and 2006 Astoria motorhomes built between November 2004 and July 2005. The potential number of coaches involved is 61.

Some Pacific/Waldorf Edition motorhomes 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.” Under certain loading conditions, the front gross axle weight rating (GAWR) could be exceeded, increasing the risk of crash.

Dealers will replace both front tires with those that have a greater load-carrying capacity, which will increase the front GAWR. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about these recalls, contact Damon at (800) 860-6362. Owner notification was expected to begin in August 2005.

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Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 05V333000, which affects some 2005 and 2006 Bounder Diesel, Discovery, Excursion, Expedition, and Providence motorhomes that were built between June 1, 2004, and April 11, 2005. The potential number of coaches involved is 2,435.

On certain diesel-powered type A motorhomes, the manufacturer’s tow hitch receiver information label was printed with an incorrect weight carrying capacity of 10,000 pounds and an incorrect tongue weight value of 1,000 pounds. The correct weight carrying capacity is 5,000 pounds, and the correct tongue weight value is 500 pounds.

The weight label on the hitch receiver provides the maximum trailer weight rating and the maximum tongue weight rating. It is important that these ratings not be exceeded. Failure to comply could result in damage to the motorhome frame, body, or hitch receiver and could cause unstable driving and handling characteristics, which may result in a vehicle crash.

Fleetwood will mail a correct tow hitch receiver weight information label and installation instructions to current owners of the coaches. Owners also can take their motorhome to a dealer who can affix the label for them. If you do not receive a new label from Fleetwood in the mail, contact a Fleetwood dealer. The repair should take less than 10 minutes.

For more information about this recall, contact Fleetwood at (800) 509-3418. Owner notification was expected to begin in July 2005.

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Jayco Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 05V354000, which affects some 2004 and 2005 Jayco Greyhawk and Starcraft Ambient motorhomes built between June 20, 2003, and May 19, 2004. The potential number of coaches involved is 285.

On certain motorhomes, the cable ties that attach the main wiring harness to the frame rails may break and cause the wire harness to drop onto the exhaust system. This could cause the cable to melt, creating an electrical short that could result in a fire.

Dealers will inspect the motorhome and attach new cable ties. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about these recalls, contact Jayco at (574) 825-0608. Owner notification was expected to begin in August 2005.

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Monaco Coach Corporation has announced two separate recalls.

The first is NHTSA recall 05V291000, which affects some 2006 Holiday Rambler Neptune and Monaco Cayman motorhomes; 2004, 2005, and 2006 Safari Cheetah motorhomes; and 2005 Safari Sahara motorhomes. The affected units were manufactured from July 12, 2003, through July 27, 2005. The potential number of coaches involved is 647.

Certain motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, “Air Brake Systems.” Two delivery air lines on the brake system were installed incorrectly.

Dealers will switch the port hookups of the two delivery lines on the air brake system. The repair is expected to take approximately one hour. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

Owner notification was expected to begin in June 2005.

The second is NHTSA recall 05V362000, which affects some 1998 and 1999 Safari Renegade motorhomes. The number of coaches involved is 21.

On certain motorhomes built on Spartan chassis and equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 40 engines, the turbocharger can fail, allowing lubricating oil to spill onto the engine. This can result in a fire in the engine compartment.

Dealers will inspect and replace the turbocharger. The repair is expected to take approximately four hours. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

The recall is being conducted by Spartan Chassis. For more information, contact Spartan at (517) 543-6400 or Monaco at (800) 685-6545. Owner notification was expected to begin in August 2005.

For more information about these recalls, contact Monaco at (800) 685-6545.

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