NHTSA Complaint #11228257 — 2014 FOREST RIVER XLR

WHILE PULLING OUR CAMPER DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT OF THE CAMPER SNAPPED (2ND DECK OF A FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER). WE WERE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 89 EAST OF THE GRAND CANYON WHERE THE ROADWAY HAS MULTIPLE DIPS IN THE ROAD. WE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE CAMPER. WHEN WE STOPPED FOR FUEL IN PAGE AZ, WE DISCOVERED MANY DENTS AND SPLITS IN THE FRONT OF THE SIDEWALKS OF THE CAMPER. I TOOK PHOTOS TO SEND TO XLR WARRANTY DEPARTMENT WHERE I WAS REFERRED TO LIPPERT, THE MFG OF THE CAMPER FRAME. WHEN I PULLED DOWN THE FRONT TRIM PIECE TO SEE WHAT BROKE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME JUST WAS ASSEMBLED WITH WELDS THAT LOOK LIKE AN 8TH GRADER DID IN METAL SHOP. THE TOP 5 BRACE SUPPORTS ALL HAVE BROKEN WELDS, AS WELL AS A BROKEN WELD AND CRACKED MAIN 2ND DECK FRAME MEMBER ABOVE THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAMPER. THE ENGINEERING, OR LACK THEREOF, OF THE WELDS AND THE FRAME MEMBERS USED WOULD HARDLY HOLD A MOUNTAIN BICYCLE FRAME TOGETHER, LET ALONE TRYING TO USE SUCH POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP ON A 21,000LB 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. IF WE WOULD HAVE TRAVELED MUCH FARTHER DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENTIRE FRONT END COULD HAVE BROKE OFF, LEAVING A 10 TON PROJECTILE ROLLING INTO WHO KNOWS WHAT.*DT *JB