2001 Western Alpenlite Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Certain motor homes, truck campers, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, 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.

Risk: Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

Fix: Western rv will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06e076). 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 you 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 western rv at 1-866-567-4133.

Problem: Vehicle description: fifth wheel travel trailers equipped with dexter axles that were manufactured with a bearing option known as nev-r-lube. The optional hub utilizes a sealed cartridge bearing which is held in place with a retaining ring that prevents the hub from shifting on the bearing. Some of these axle assemblies were produced without the retaining ring.

Risk: The absence of the retaining ring can allow the hub to shift inward and may result in brake interference or tire contact to the vehicle structure. Braking problems can result in a loss of control of the vehicle. Tire contact to the vehicle structure can result in overheating and potentially lead to a fire or cause the tire to blowout.

Fix: Dexter axle will inspect and repair the affected axles free of charge.

Problem: Vehicle description: fifth wheel trailers equipped with tekonsha or bargman breakaway switch assemblies. The subject switches are base parts 2011 and 2011p, and are branded tekonsha (2011) and bargman (50-85-009). These may be packaged in kit numbers 1026, 1028, 2011-23, 2028-23, 2011p, 2011ap, 20005, 20010, 20015, 20020, 2026, 2026-lb, 2028, 1026-lb, 50-85-200, 50-85-201, 50-85-250, 5061404, 5061406, 5061407, 5061408, 5061410, 5061506, 5061507, 5061508, 5067406, 5067407, 5067408, 5067409, and 5067410. The internal switching mechanism may fail to make proper contact and provide electrical continuity when the breakaway pin is pulled. This condition may result in no electrical power to the trailer brakes in the event of a trailer breakaway situition and could occur without warning.

Risk: In the event of a trailer breaking loose from a tow vehicle, the malfunction of a breakaway switch could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, property damage or both.

Fix: Dealers will replace the defective breakaway device with new breakaway kits free of charge. Tekonsha is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact western rv at 1-517-767-4142 or tekonsha towing systems at 1-800-325-5860.