NHTSA Complaint #10267643 — 2008 DUTCHMEN DENALI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DUTCHMEN DENALI TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE U BOLTS ON THE REAR AXLE, LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE CAMPER, BECAME LOOSE. THE AXLE TWISTED SIDEWAYS, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT GOT UNDERNEATH THE CAMPER AND NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE U BOLTS WERE LOOSE. IF THE BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, A LOT MORE DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. HE MANAGED TO TIGHTEN ALL OF THE U BOLTS AND DID NOT NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PLACING THE BOLTS ON CORRECTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 400. UPDATED 5/26/09 *CN THE U-BOLTS ON BOTH AXLES WERE N EVER TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REAR AXLE AND LEAF SPRINGS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TIGHTENING OF THE U-BOLTS ON THE FRONT AXLE. UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB