NHTSA Complaint #10662102 — 2012 FOURWINDS 23U

CAR TYPE: MOTORHOME (~2 YEARS OLD) FAILURE: THE LOW-PRESSURE (LP) GAS REGULATOR FAILED WITH A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE-MODE. ABOUT 8LBS OF PROPANE WERE "VENTED" INTO A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, WITHIN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. ANY SMOKING PEDESTRIAN WALKING BY MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN SEVERELY BURNED AND THE MOTORHOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS. THE WHOLE LP GAS TANK WOULD HAVE BEEN VENTED IF NOBODY CAME BACK TO SHUT THE MAIN VALVE OFF. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE RV STEPPED OUTSIDE THE RV FOR A SHORT SHOPPING TRIP, COMING BACK TO A LOUDLY "HISSING" RV, THAT DUMPED PROPANE AT A VERY HIGH RATE. IN MY OPINION THIS GAS REGULATOR SHOULD BE ANALYZED TO IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, TO PREVENT POTENTIAL FUTURE BODILY HARM TO OTHER PEOPLE. COULD BE AN INSTALLATION PROBLEM, OR A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *JS