NHTSA Complaint #10158231 — 2004 KEYSTONE OUTBACK

I PURCHASED AN OUTBACK TRAILER FROM KEYSTONE RV IN 2004 AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 3000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE TIRES ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAVE STARTED TO CRACK, AND DURING THE TIRE REPLACEMENT THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE HUBS ARE LOOSE ON BOTH AXLES ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I THEN TOOK THE TRAILER TO GENERAL RV IN MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN FOR REPAIR AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE HUBS ARE BOTH LOOSE DUE TO A LACK OF COTTER PINS THAT HOLD THE CASTLE NUT ON TO THE TRAILER ON BOTH HUBS. THE HUBS HAVE NEVER BEEN SERVICED BY REMOVAL ONLY BY ADDING GREASE THROUGH THE ZERK FITTINGS. THE DEALERS MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY INDICATION OF THE COTTER PINS INSIDE THE HUBS. SO, ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THEY DID NOT EVER ADD THE COTTER PINS TO THE ASSEMBLY. THE CASTLE NUT HAD VIBRATED NEARLY OFF THE SPINDLE ON BOTH WHEELS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE TRAILER HAS DUAL AXLES FROM AL-KO KOBER CORPORATION. I TEND TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS ON THE ROAD, AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME JEFFERY K PLAMP. *JB