NHTSA Complaint #10037399 — 2000 FORD F-550 SD

I OWN A 2000 FORD F550 MODIFIED BY FONTAINE MODIFICATION COMPANY, LOUISVILLE, KY TO TOW A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER, GVR 15,900 LBS. THIS WAS A DEMO VEHICLE FOR FONTAINE AND HAD 2598 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME AS A NEW VEHICLE WITH A 3 YEAR 36,000 MILES WARRANTY ON 9-29-2002. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, THE DEALER, CUNNINGHAM CAMPERS HAD TWO BLOW OUTS ON THE RIGHT REAR DUAL 225/70R-19.5/F GENERAL TIRES ON 8-6-2002. TWO MORE BLOW OUTS, (EXPLOSIONS) OCCURRED IN OF JUNE 2003, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I REPLACED THE GENERAL TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES. THIS VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITHOUT HIGH PRESSURE VALVE STEMS WHICH I REPLACED WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE VALVE STEMS AFTER THE SECOND BLOWOUT. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON MY COMPLAINT AND BLAMED CONTINENTAL TIRE COMPANY (GENERAL) AND CONTINENTAL BLAMED FORD FOR THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT THE ZIPPER TEARS WERE CAUSED BY INFERIOR VALVE STEMS. I HAVE ANOTHER TIRE THAT IS VERY QUESTIONABLE AND I AM AFRAID TO GO ON THE HIGHWAY TOWING A 5TH WHEEL THAT WEIGHS 15,900 WITH TIRES EXPERIENCED 4 BLOW OUTS IN THE PAST YEAR AND A QUESTIONABLE 5TH TIRE AND 4 MORE ORIGINAL TIRES LEFT ON THE VEHICLE WHICH NEITHER FORD NOR CONTINENTAL WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I WILL BE TAKING SEVERAL LONG TRIPS IN THE NEXT YEAR TOTALING OVER 5,000 MILES--HELP .*AK