Recall 2007-2009 Newmar Motorhome (diesel) Trailer Hitches

[saydiver]

If the following info has already been posted, I apologize in advance. Also sorry for using all caps, but I just cut and pasted, instead of rewriting the info.

RECALL: 2007-2009 NEWMAR MOTOR HOMES (DIESEL): TRAILER HITCHES
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
NEWMAR / ALL STAR MID-ENGINE 2007
NEWMAR / ALL STAR MID-ENGINE 2008-2009
NEWMAR / DUTCH AIRE DIESEL PUSHER 2009
NEWMAR / DUTCH STAR DIESEL PUSHER 2007-2009
NEWMAR / KOUNTRY STAR DIESEL PUSHE 2007-2008
NEWMAR / MOUNTAIN AIRE DIESEL PUSH 2007
NEWMAR / VENTANA DIESEL PUSHER 2009
Manufacturer: NEWMAR CORPORATION Mfr's Report Date: NOV 17, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 08V596000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: TRAILER HITCHES
Potential Number of Units Affected: 913
Summary:
NEWMAR IS RECALLING 913 MY 2007-2009 ALL STAR ME, DUTCH STAR DP, MY 2007-2008 KOUNTRY STAR DP, MY 2007 MOUNTAIN AIRE DP, AND MY 2009 DUTCH AIRE DP AND VENTANA DP MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH PUTNAM HITCHES. AFTER SOME PERIOD OF USE, CERTAIN TRAILER HITCHES MAY DEVELOP STRESS FRACTURES DUE TO SHARP RADII AND /OR TOOL MARKING.
Consequence:
FRACTURES IN THE SUSPECT HITCHES MAY RESULT IN HITCH SEPARATION, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy:
NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH SPARTAN WHO WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 08V567). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.
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.

Sue

[Lug_Nut]

Interestingly I don't see the '07 Essex on the list, yet the '07 MADP is. It is the same chassis with a turned down engine. What's up with that?

Peter

[Dav5942]

Thanks for the heads up! Just checked, ours is a Putnam hitch-no recall notice as of yet. Hitch "looks" OK(but as the recall notice says no visable signs will be apparent), the bracket from the hitch to the frame sure looks flimsy. Wonder if its a bolt on replacement?

[Lane]

Peter,

Product Separation!

Feel free to go check mine and compare to yours.

[Lug_Nut]

John, Your what? Last week's Riverbend Special was, buy a lot, get a free coach. It was your turn in the barrel. What can I say?

Looking forward to seeing you and Pam back here..............Okay, okay............Not so much you, more the Pamster!

Your coach house is finished, don't worry about the coach. Suck it up! OH! Yeh, about your finished coach house. It is surprising the name "Finished" and your coach house. Did someone already call you and tell you? Darn, now I feel bad about your coach, and all. Anyway, after the big wind, your lot is here and doing well, hmmmmmmmmmmm...........,Well, poor choice of words. Talking about wells, and you know, water, well.............. The flooding will recede soon. Of course "Soon" being a relative word describing a point in time within a century or so. Anyway, hope you and the Pamster are having a wonderful time in Snowland. See you soon.

Peter

[Latitude]

Hi John

I was the 'Lucky' Winner!!!!!!

Be gentle when you Break the 'News' to Pam.

Cecile is ecstatic!!!!

However I do have an '05 KS for sale!!!

I can give you a Good deal.

Rick

[Lug_Nut]

As I recall, Bob Gregory's London Aire, I believe, had a failed hitch. It was discovered when he was at Newmar. I'm pretty sure it was not his Essex. I think the issue related to having too much hitch weight. May be he is still lurking in the bushes and will jump in with the whole scoop.

Peter

[Route 66]

I too believe it was the LADB.

However, Bob was pulling a 24' long, 13' high stacker trailer with his Hummer, golf cart, and maybe a Harley at times inside.

It was too much hitch weight.

[Lane]

Peter and Rick,

Just presented the "news" to my bride. She is okay with the deal (sometimes you win and sometimes you loose) but (there is always a but) her sewing machines were not part of the deal and she wants them returned immediately.

As all coachless members of this forum have done in the past we will now go away.

So good bye and good night.

John and the Pamster.

[Latitude]

Well John!!

That's a Deal Breaker!!! No sewing machines No Deal!!

You will just have to take the Coach back and keep on posting HERE!!!

You can't get away That easy

Rick

[69RoadRunner]

For some reason, I think my 2009 Ventana has a Hidden Hitch brand hitch. It's at the storage lot, so I can't check.

[Nathan Focht]

I just spoke to Spartan. They have found fractures on the hitches bt claim there have been NO break-aways. They told me that Putnam has an issue that is causing the fail and Putnam is "gone" and refusing to assist. Spartan is trying to source a replacement and will not be ready to perform this repair until January.

Here is the kicker. They then tell you that you should not us the hitch with ANY tongue load and pulling nothing over a "light truck". I fulltime pulling an F250 with a truck camper on it. If you want to pay for the work yourself they will pay $250.00!!!! Not even close to the cost of that work.

Will update when I hear more.

[Jetsmania]

Hi! Thanks for the heads up. I sent a copy of this link to the couple who purchased our MADP. Paul

[Route 66]

IMHO, those of us pulling toads with no tongue weight are the least likely to have a problem, whereas the higher the tongue weight, the greater the chances for problems.