NHTSA Complaint #10268379 — 2008 NEWMAR GRAND STAR CA

DURING A SERVICE AT A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS CENTER, THEIR SAFETY INSPECTION REVEALED BOTH INNER TIRES ON THE REAR DUALS ARE COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE COACH FRAME. AT 5K MILES, ONE TIRE NEAR FAILURE, THE OTHER LESS SO. VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWS A TOO CLOSE GAP BETWEEN THE TIRE TREAD AND COACH BODY WHEN VEHICLE IS UNLOADED. APPROXIMATE 1/4" GAP ON LEFT, 1/2" ON RIGHT AT THE TREAD. AS THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSES OR THE VEHICLE IS LOADED, THE SIDEWALL , AS IT WIDENS TOWARDS THE WHEEL, IS IN CONSTANT, INCREASING CONTACT WITH A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON THAT IS BOLTED TO THE COACH FRAME ON BOTH SIDES. THE TIRE SIDEWALL IS THEN SLOWLY SHAVED OFF AND FRICTION CAUSES SIGNIFICANT HEAT INCREASES. DEFECT IS SO OBVIOUS IT IS DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND IT PASSING SAFETY AND QUALITY CONTROL, AND ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE FACTORY. NEWMAR SAYS THE FIX IS TO RE-WORK THE COACH BODY TO ACCOMMODATE ROOM FOR THE TIRES. MAY INVOLVE REPLACEMENT OF A HOLDING TANK, CUTTING OF THE FLOOR, ECT. VEHICLE AT THIS TIME COULD NOT PASS A MN DOT INSPECTION. *TR