NHTSA Complaint #10478661 — 2011 COACHMEN MIRADA

NOTE: WE HAVE SINCE LEARNED THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN CHARACTERIZED AS "THE DEATH WOBBLE" AS FOLLOWS: THIS OCCURRED ON OUR FIRST "SHAKEDOWN" (PUN INTENDED) TRIP OF 300 MILES TAKEN IN A NEW 29 FT COACHMEN MIRADA (LEFTOVER 2011 MODEL) CLASS A MOTORHOME W/F53 CHASIS WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED BY FORD IN OCT 2008. ITS NOTEWORTHY THAT, INITIALLY, A SLIGHT SHUTTER IN COACH BODY COULD BE FELT WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING OVER MINOR BUMPS OR SURFACE DISCONTINUITIES. AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES, WE DROVE AT 55 MPH OVER A HIGHWAY BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT - KIND OF A QUICK DOUBLE BUMP, WHICH SET OFF AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT RAPID SHAKING OF THE ENTIRE COACH RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING AND A HARROWING EXPERIENCE. THANKFULLY, THERE WAS LIMITED TRAFFIC, TRAVELING IN RIGHT LANE, AND ROOM ON SHOULDER TO PULL OVER. THIS VIOLENT SHAKING CONTINUED UNTIL < 5 MPH. CHECKED TIRES AND UNDER CHASIS - ALL SEEMED OK. CONTINUED DRIVING HOME TO COMPLETE THE BALANCE OF TRIP, AVOIDING AS MANY BUMPS AS POSSIBLE, AND WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT. RV IS CURRENTLY AT A FORD SERVICE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND RESOLUTION. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION, AND COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR TRAFFIC INCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC AND LIMITED ROOM TO PULL OVER. *TR UPDATED 11/25/13