NHTSA Complaint #10202237 — 2007 DUTCHMEN COLORADO

WHILE CONDUCTING A PRE TRIP INSPECTION ON MY RV I FOUND THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE WEARING ON THE INSIDE. I WEIGHED MY RV AND WAS WELL UNDER MY AXLE RATINGS. I TOOK A CLOSE LOOK AT THE AXLES AND SAW THAT THE SPINDLE WELDS LOOK LIKE THEY WERE WELDED IMPROPERLY. IT APPEARS THAT TOO MUCH HEAT WAS APPLIED AT THE END OF THE WELD AND THE WELD FELL THROUGH INSIDE THE AXLE PIPE LEAVING A FLAT SPOT AND ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCH RUNS THE RUNS LOOK LIKE PAINT RUNS BUT ARE STEEL RUNS THAT DID NOT PENETRATE AND CAN BE BROKEN OFF BY HAND. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THIS CAUSED THE STEEL TO BECOME BRITTLE AND THAT THE EXCESS HEAT CAUSED THE AXLES TO BE WARPED OR EVEN STRESS CRACKED. MY RV IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP WAITING TO BE LOOKED AT. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE WELDS THAT I CAN E-MAIL THE POOR WORKMANSHIP CAN BE EASILY SEEN IN THE PHOTOS. *TR