NHTSA Complaint #737715 — 1999 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY

THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST FIVE FAILURES OF LEFT FRONT TIRE (MICHELIN XRV) ON DISCOVERY MOTORHOMES. THESE FAILURES ARE ARGUABLY SIMILAR TO THOSE ON THE FLEETWOOD AMERICAN COACH PRODUCT LINE WHICH WAS RECALLED AFTER SIX REPORTED DEATHS EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE REPORTS ARE FILTERING IN ON THREE INTERNET SITES; DISCOVERY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INTENET DISCOVERY MOTORHOME CLUB AND DISCOVERY INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER OF FMCA. THE SUSPECTED CAUSE IS A LOAD IMBALNCE DUE TO ADDTION OF LIVING ROOM SLIDE ON 1999/2000 MOTORHOMES. THE NEWEEST MODELS HAVE HAD TIRES INCREASED FROM 235 TO 255 AS WELL AS A SUBSEQUENT INCREASE IN AXLE CAPACITY WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THIS FAILURE MODE. NEEDS FURTHER RESEARCH ON URGENT BASIS IN MY OPINION. *AK