NHTSA Complaint #10135433 — 2005 LANCE CAMPER

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 LANCE TRUCK CAMPER WITH SLIDEOUT MODEL 1180. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN THE CAMPER OFF THE TRUCK (AFTER FULLY LOADING THE 40 GAL WATER RESERVOIR WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE.) THE CAMPER WAS AT A STATE PARK ON OLD BLACKTOP AND A FAIRLY LEVEL SURFACE. AFTER PULLING THE TRUCK OUT WITHOUT INCIDENT, WE WERE LOWERING THE REMOTE JACKS WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE JACK COLLAPSED OUTWARD. THIS CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT JACK TO TWIST AND SLIDE THE FRONT OF THE CAMPER ABOUT 9 INCHES TO THE LEFT. THIS FRONT JACK FAILURE RESULTED IN A NEAR COLLAPSE AND ROLLOVER OF THE UNIT. SINCE THE UNIT WAS 1/2 WAY DOWN IT WAS NO LONGER AN OPTION TO DRIVE THE TRUCK BACK UNDER IT. THE WATER WAS EMPTIED TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD AND THE TRUCK BUMPER WAS USED TO TAKE SOME OF THE WEIGHT OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE JACK. THE LEG WAS THEN PULLED AND KICKED BACK INTO PLACE. ALTHOUGH BENT, IT DID RAISE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE TRUCK BACK UNDER IT. THE WATER WAS EMPTIED TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD AND THE TRUCK BUMPER WAS USED TO TAKE SOME OF THE WEIGHT OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE JACK. THE LEG WAS THEN PULLED AND KICKED BACK INTO PLACE. ALTHOUGH BENT, IT DID RAISE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE TRUCK BACK UNDER IT. I RETURNED IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE JACKS AND SAID HE HADN'T HEARD ABOUT ANY JACK FAILURES. HE CALLED LANCE AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY FAILURES EITHER. THEY SUGGESTED WE CONTACT ATWOOD. I CONTACTED LANCE SINCE THIS IS A NEW MODEL AND THE LARGEST TRUCK CAMPER IN THE SERIES. THE JACKS ARE ATWOOD AND THEY SWING OUT AND OPERATE REMOTELY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS JACK IS NOT ABLE TO BEAR THE 2 TON CAMPER WEIGHT. THE DEALER SAID AFTER INSPECTING THE JACKS WE WERE VERY LUCKY IT DIDN'T COMPLETELY ROLL OVER ON US. FUN TIME CAMPERS IN TERE HAUTE, INDIANA PROVIDED EXCELLENT AFTER SALE SERVICE AND COULDN'T HAVE BEEN NICER. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT JACKS, RETAINED THE DAMAGED JACKS AND WOULD BE WILLING TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED. LANCE THE MANUFACTURER, WASN'T AS CONCERNED. *JB