2019 HEARTLAND MALLARD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

June 2023 from the inside of the RV we noticed the back end of the RV sagging. I inspected the frame and found it was broken in several places. The right side of the 'I' beam was cracked just above the rear leaf spring hanger. On the left side of the trailer the leaf spring hanger was broken off the 'I' beam and the 'I' beam was bent. This rendered the trailer extremely dangerous to pull. This trailer was purchased in 2019 and was not driven recklessly to cause this to happen. Just normal driving. The RV is available for inspection however it has been repaired, and the frame has been re-enforced with steel plates. The RV forum I am on indicated both the RV manufacture and the frame manufactures blame each other for these failures, thus avoiding the cost of taking responsibility. The vehicle was not inspected by any manufacture of government agency. There were no symptoms of any eminent failure other than the many other broken trailer frames. Knowing these trailers have a high frame failure rate is what caused me to inspect it, which I have done frequently since buying it.

My Mallard 25 manufactured by Heartland was in the shop for another issue (black water tank). As they removed the under-belly, they noticed 4 cracks/fractures in the I-Beam on both sides behind all 4 wheels. The cracks vary in length. They told me to contact Heartland to see what can be done. I have done that and have received no response. I believe this is a dangerous driving condition and that NHTSA should be notified immediately. Kennedy’s RV technicians will confirm their findings through pictures. I also have copies of the pictures. Thank you in advance for your quick response.

My Mallard 25 manufactured by Heartland was in the shop for another issue (black water tank). As they removed the under-belly, they noticed 4 cracks/fractures in the I-Beam on both sides behind all 4 wheels. The cracks vary in length. They told me to contact Heartland to see what can be done. I have done that and have received no response. I believe this is a dangerous driving condition and that NHTSA should be notified immediately. Kennedy’s RV technicians will confirm their findings through pictures. I also have copies of the pictures. Thank you in advance for your quick response.

Camping World did a warranty axle repair in March 2021. During this repair, they mounted the axle but did not connect the electrics - I have pictures of coiled wires they left after mounting the new axle. This meant that the rear axle did not have the electric brakes, or the emergency breakaway disconnect. I had a electrician crimp the brakes during a trip in april 2021, after I discovered this. Since I'm not a technician, I did not know that the emergency breakaway also needed to be connected. It remains unconnected to this day. The emergency breakaway issue was discovered during a routine Virginia state safety inspection. The breakaway is related only to the rear axle, which was replaced, not the front axle, which is working. I contacted camping world immediately after failing the state inspection on June 13, 2022. I brought the unit in to be fixed on June 26th, for the 1st appointment on the 27th. Camping world refuses to connect the breakaway, which they were contracted to do under the original warranty fix in 2021. They are using a variety of lies and excuses - even trying to claim that I damaged the wiring myself. It is Camping World's responsibility to connect all wires/brakes as a part of this installation. They didn't do it properly, and refuse to fix it. The unit is at camping world today - July 15, 2022, almost 3 weeks after I left it there for servicing. Camping world is derelict in it's duty to correct a safety problem. Camping World Manassas has undoubtedly done many of these jobs. They have likely put many travel trailers like mine out on the road without braking power, and the owners haven't discovered it yet. This poses loss of life and serious injury risk on both occupants and other motorists in the event of a motor vehicle accident, or a close call. Can you please open an investigation into Camping World's maintenance practices, particularly as they pertain to brake repairs.

Camping World did a warranty axle repair in March 2021. During this repair, they mounted the axle but did not connect the electrics - I have pictures of coiled wires they left after mounting the new axle. This meant that the rear axle did not have the electric brakes, or the emergency breakaway disconnect. I had a electrician crimp the brakes during a trip in april 2021, after I discovered this. Since I'm not a technician, I did not know that the emergency breakaway also needed to be connected. It remains unconnected to this day. The emergency breakaway issue was discovered during a routine Virginia state safety inspection. The breakaway is related only to the rear axle, which was replaced, not the front axle, which is working. I contacted camping world immediately after failing the state inspection on June 13, 2022. I brought the unit in to be fixed on June 26th, for the 1st appointment on the 27th. Camping world refuses to connect the breakaway, which they were contracted to do under the original warranty fix in 2021. They are using a variety of lies and excuses - even trying to claim that I damaged the wiring myself. It is Camping World's responsibility to connect all wires/brakes as a part of this installation. They didn't do it properly, and refuse to fix it. The unit is at camping world today - July 15, 2022, almost 3 weeks after I left it there for servicing. Camping world is derelict in it's duty to correct a safety problem. Camping World Manassas has undoubtedly done many of these jobs. They have likely put many travel trailers like mine out on the road without braking power, and the owners haven't discovered it yet. This poses loss of life and serious injury risk on both occupants and other motorists in the event of a motor vehicle accident, or a close call. Can you please open an investigation into Camping World's maintenance practices, particularly as they pertain to brake repairs.