NHTSA Complaint #10748116 — 2015 WINNEBAGO ITASCA

NOTHING YET, FORTUNATELY. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS MOTORHOME AND JUST BECAME AWARE THAT FORD SHIPS THE LARGER F53 CHASSIS' TO THE COACH BUILDER (THIS CASE WINNEBAGO) WITHOUT ANY WAY OF THE END CUSTOMER CHECKING THE REAR, INSIDE DUAL TIRE PRESSURE. THE ONLY WAY TO CHECK THE PRESSURE IS TO REMOVE THE OUTER TIRE AT $100+ PER TIME AT A TIRE DEALER (THEY HAVE TO JACK THE 26,000 LB. VEHICLE UP & REMOVE THE 2 OUTSIDE TIRES). THIS CREATES AN UNNECESSARY COST BURDEN, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE CONSUMER. FOR INSTANCE, AFTER PURCHASING THIS MOTORHOME AND DRIVING IT 1400 MILES HOME, I CHECK TO FIND THE 4 TIRES I CAN CHECK AT 94 LBS. PSI WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE AT 100 PSI. I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE INSIDE DUAL TIRES ARE BECAUSE I CANNOT CHECK THEM. IN FORDS OWNER MANUAL THEY STATE TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE DAILY, OR AT LEAST WHEN LEAVING ON A TRIP, OR ANOTHER PAGE STATES AT LEAST MONTHLY--THAT'S $1200+ FOR ME, JUST BECAUSE THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE INSIDE TIRE VALVES. IT'S ACTUALLY A SAFETY ISSUE AS ON THE ROAD I, (AND MOST OTHERS) WILL NOT PAY OUT $100+ EVERY COUPLE DAYS TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE, SOMETHING I DID EASILY ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH MY OLDER WORKHORSE CHASSIS. THIS MEANS DRIVING MANY MILES, GUESSING, AND NOT KNOWING IF A TIRE IS UP OR DOWN ON PRESSURE. FORD SHOULD STOP THIS PRACTICE AND FIX THE EXISTING UNITS UNDER NEW VEHICLE WARRENTEE! THANKS