NHTSA Complaint #10147481 — 1999 FLEETWOOD TIOGA

1999, TIOGA 26F, FLEETWOOD, CLASS C, MOTOR HOME, APPROX 45000 MILES, PURCHASED NEW. THE PORTION OF THE MOTORHOME OVER THE FORD CAB WAS ATTACHED USING ABOUT 24 #10 SELF TAPPING SHEET METAL SCREWS, DRIVEN UPWARDS, THROUGH HOLES IN THE FORD SHEET METAL, THROUGH A SPONGE RUBBER GASKET, AND INTO THE PLYWOOD FLOOR OF THE "CAB-OVER" PORTION OF THE MOTORHOME. MANY OF THOSE SCREWS FELL COMPLETELY OUT AND THE REMAINDER HAD ALL BACKED OUT AT LEAST 1/4 INCH AND WERE LESS THAN FINGER TIGHT. AS A MINIMUM, RAIN WATER OR WASH WATER COULD EASILY ENTER THE CAB AREA. I AM CONCERNED THAT A STRONG WIND, OR THE BLAST OF AIR CAUSED BY PASSING HEAVY TRUCKS, ETC, COULD TEAR THE OVERHANG OF THE COACH OFF IN TRAFFIC. I DID CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FLEETWOOD AND WAS TOLD THEY STILL BUILD THE ASSEMBLY THE SAME WAY. FURTHER I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITH POP-RIVETS - - I KNOW IF NO POP-RIVETS LONG ENOUGH OR STRONG ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB. I AM CURRENTLY REBUILDING USING APPROX. 50 #10 X32 ROUND HEAD MACHINE SCREWS, WASHERS, LOCK WASHERS, AND LOCK TIGHT IN A "THROUGH-BOLT" MANNER TO ENSURE A SECURE SEAM. *JB