NHTSA Complaint #728728 — 1979 FLEETWOOD TAURUS

THE PROPANE LINE TO THE STOVE IS 3/8 INCH COOPER AND IS EXPOSED JUST BEHIND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. ONE OF THE DUAL TIRES BLEW ITS TREAD AND HIT THE LINE CAUSING IT TO BE MANGLED TO THE POINT OF ALMOST BEING SEVERED. BECAUSE THE FRIG IS GAS, YOU MUST RUN WITH THE GAS LINE ON. IF THIS LINE HAD BURST, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE LIKELYHOOD OF A FIRE THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE LOSS OF THE RV. THIS SITUATION MUST BE CORRECTED AS ANY SORT OF DAMAGE FROM BLOWN TIRES TO ROCKS OR STICKS BEING THROWN UP COULD CAUSE THIS LINE TO RUPTURE. FLEETWOOD DECLINES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN OLD RV, THERE ARE MANY ON THE ROAD AND SEVERAL MODEL YEARS ARE PROBABLY EFFECTED. ACTION IS NEEDED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. MY REPAIR SHOP WILL RETROFIT A STEEL PIPE IN PLACE OF THE THIN COPPER TUBE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.