NHTSA Complaint #11594829 — 2022 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND

The contact owns a 2022 Fleetwood Southwind RV built on a 2021 Ford Chassis. The contact stated while driving 69 MPH with a 2021 Jeep Wrangler hitched to the RV, the tow hitch failed, causing the Jeep vehicle to detach. The contact stated that the vehicle drove off the highway and into a 200-yard-steep ditch. The contact veered to the side of the road. The State police troopers were able to locate the vehicle after 1 hour. The vehicle was towed and totaled. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact stated that he purchased a new tow hitch that was reinforced with three steel plates by an auto welding repair shop. The contact later received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V351000 (Trailer Hitches), which he related to the failure. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer denied reimbursement. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500.