NHTSA Complaint #10192242 — 2005 FLEETWOOD PROWLER

WELD FAILURE ON THE REAR AXLE OF MY FIFTH WHEEL. THE AXLE TWISTED CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO ALL FOUR TIRES. A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS DONE IN KANSAS WHERE I WAS STAYING AT THE TIME SO THAT I COULD GET THE RIG TO A AXLE REPAIR SHOP IN OKLAHOMA. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AXLES WERE HUNG OUT OF TRUE ORIGINALLY WITH IMPROPER HANGERS FOR THE WEIGHT SPECS FOR THE AXLES. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED WITH BEEFED UP HANGARS AND ADJUSTED TO BE IN TRUE. THE TECHNICIANS AT THEAXLE COMPANY THAT DID THE REPAIR WERE AMAZED THAT THE 5VER ONLY HAD 2 AXLES. THEY TOLD ME THAT FOR THE WEIGHT AND LENGTH OF THE UNIT IT SHOULD HAVE 3 AXLES. WHEN I CONTACTED FLEETWOOD THEY TOLD ME THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT WARRANTY WAS FOR ONE YEAR AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. (2005 UNIT PURCHASED IN 9/05.) LOW TOWING MILAGE OF ABOUT ONLY 5,000 MILES OR LESS. LUCKILY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY ABSORBED MOST OF THE COSTS BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $1,800 OUT OF POCKET. *TR