NHTSA Complaint #10653642 — 2014 PALOMINO COLUMBUS

NOTE - AXEL INFO IS: FRONT AXEL SERIAL# 045-002512768, REAR AXEL SERIAL# 045-002512757, NV# 284479, DOM IS 1-16-14. PURCHASED TRAILER NEW WITH FIRST USE IN APRIL 2014. OVER NEXT FEW MONTHS TRAILER WOULD NOT STOP AS EASILY AND QUICKLY AS IT DID WHEN WE FIRST STARTED USING IT. THE CONTINUED REDUCTION IN BRAKING ABILITY OVER TIME REQUIRED THAT I CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE BRAKE CONTROLLER SETTINGS UNTIL I REACHED THE HIGHEST SETTING OF 10. WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE WHILE PULLING THIS TRAILER. ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT I ASKED OUR DEALER TO INSPECT. WHEN THEY DID THEY FOUND THAT 3 WHEELS HAD BLOWN SEALS AND ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS COVERED IN GREASE, THE 4TH WHEEL ALSO HAD A BLOWN SEAL BUT ALTHOUGH IT WAS COMPROMISED IT WAS NOT AS BAD AS THE OTHERS. LIPPERT MFG SENT A MECHANIC TO THE DEALER AND REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH NEW DRUM/BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. I ASKED THE LIPPERT MECHANIC WHAT CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE NEW BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND HE STATED THEY ARE USING NEW SEALS. TRAILER IS NOW IN WINTER STORAGE SO IT WILL BE NEXT SPRING BEFORE WE CAN USE THEN INSPECT AFTER SOME LIMITED USE TO DETERMINE IF WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW PARTS. *TR