NHTSA Complaint #766955 — 1998 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS

5TH WHEEL TRAILER: THE BARGMAN 7-WAY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR PLUG CAME LOOSE FROM ITS BARGMAN SOCKET MOUNTED IN THE WHEEL WELL OF THE OWNER'S TOW VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE ELECTRICAL BRAKES ON THE 32 FOOT 5TH WHEEL TRAILER WERE NOT WORKING AS THE OWNER AND HIS WIFE DESCENDED THE VERY STEEP WEST SIDE OF THE TETON MOUNTAINS IN WYOMING. AS A RESULT THE BRAKES ON THE TOW VEHICLE BURNED OUT LEAVING THE ENTIRE RIG WITHOUT BRAKES CAUSING A TRAGIC ACCIDENT RESULTING IN THE EVENTUAL DEATH OF THE PASSENGER/ WIFE OF THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED TO THE FACT THE BARGMAN NO. 67 PLUG HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE DRAW-TITE BRAKE CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED BY THE DEALER IN THE CAB OF THE TOW VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE AN INDICATOR LIGHT ON IT TO ADVISE THE DRIVER THAT THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE ELECTRICAL TRAILER BRAKES WAS LOST.*AK