2016 KEYSTONE MONTANA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owns a 2016 Keystone Montana RV. The contact stated that the front driver’s side of the sidewall had started to detach. The contact stated that he was concerned that while driving, the sidewall might detach and cause an accident or injury. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The RV had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

I HAVE A 2016 KEYSTONE MONTANA 3402RL 5TH WHEEL AND ENCOUNTERED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THIS PAST JULY. WHILE TOWING FROM KENTUCKY BACK TO NY, I NOTICED MY REAR AXLE NOT TRACKING PROPERLY IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I PULLED INTO AN INTERSTATE REST STOP AND FOUND THAT THE REAR SPRING BOLT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN. IT WAS REPAIRED TEMPORARILY TO GET ME HOME AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE PROPER PARTS. IT IS A CORRECT TRACK SUSPENSION MANUFACTURED BY LIPPERT. THIS FALL BEFORE PUTTING THE CAMPER AWAY FOR THE WINTER, I CHECKED ALL OF THE BOLTS AND THE ONE THAT WAS JUST REPLACED IN JULY WAS ONLY FINGER TIGHT. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS SUSPENSION AND FORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS. I AM CONCERNED WITH WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THOSE NOT WATCHING THEIR LOADS LIKE I DO. I CONTACTED LIPPERT TWICE AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE AND HAVE PICTURES OF THE ISSUE. SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC WHO ASSISTED ME AT ROAD SIDE SAID THAT HE HAS ABOUT 4 OF THOSE ISSUES EACH WEEK AND HAD ANOTHER CALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE WHILE REPAIRING MINE. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US AND EVERYONE ELSE WITH THIS SUSPENSION TO GET LIPPERT TO CORRECT THIS? ROADSIDE REPAIRS WERE NECESSARY AND EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. ATTACHED ARE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE AND WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE. THERE IS NOTHING TO PREVENT THE NUT FROM LOOSENING. IT IS NOT A LOCKING NUT, NOR DOES IT HAVE ANY TYPE OF RETAINER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

PURCHASED A 2016 KEYSTONE MONTANA HC RV ON 2/15/19. ALL FOUR TIRES APPEARED TO HAVE GOOD TREAD ON THEM AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. FIRST TRIP FROM ST. LOUIS TO MORTON MS IN JUNE 2019 WE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT ON THE WAY TO MORTON AND ONE BLOWOUT ON THE RETURN TRIP, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE RV, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. AFTER CONTACTING UNICORN TIRE (MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR), THE PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIM DEPT HANDLED OUR CASE. A LOT OF DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE TO THE RV AND WE REQUESTED THAT UNICORN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. 1) THEY REQUESTED THE TIRES BE RETURNED TO THEM FOR INSPECTION - WE DID. 2) REQUESTED 2 ESTIMATES. ONE FOR $19,716.83 & $21,096.88 - WE SUBMITTED. ONE FROM PURCHASING DEALER & ONE FROM ANOTHER LOCAL DEALER. 3) PHOTOS-100+ SENT OF DAMAGES INSIDE AND OUT & TIRES. 4) DETAILED EXPLANATION. SENT 5)TIRE RECEIPTS FROM REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. SENT. AFTER THEY REC'D THE TIRES THEY DETERMINED FAULT BEING TREAD SEPARATION. DIRECTLY AFTER THAT THEY SENT AN EMAIL STATING THEIR POLICY HAD CHANGED AND WE WOULD HAVE TO FILE WITH OUR INSURANCE AND HAVE THEM SUBROGATE. THE COPY OF THE "POLICY" IS A THREE SENTENCE JOKE. THEY OFFERED A SETTLEMENT OF $5,000 AND WANTED A RELEASE AGREEMENT SIGNED. WE DID NOT. WE FEEL THAT THEY HAVE ADMITTED FAULT HOWEVER ARE NOT TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE MALFUNCTIONING TIRES CAUSED. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND GOT THE RV UNDER CONTROL AND NO INJURIES HAPPENED. ALL WE ASKED IS THE DAMAGES BE RECTIFIED. WE HAVE ALL EMAILS AND DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. IN TOTAL TWO IDENTICAL TIRES BLEW ON THE SAME TRIP, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE RV. BOTH TIRES HAD IDENTICAL REFERENCE INFORMATION. *TR*JB

METAL PROPANE SUPPLY LINE SECURED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT PART OF THE CAMPER BODY/FRAME CUTS INTO THE SUPPLY LINE AND IT LEAKS PROPANE IN THE FRONT STORAGE BAY WHERE THERE ARE MANY ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, 12 V BATTERIES, SOLENOIDS, BREAKERS ETC THAT CAN CREATE A SPARK AND WITH THE FRONT BAY FILLED WITH PROPANE, IT CAN CREATE A FIRE/EXPLOSION.

I TOOK MY TRAVEL TRAILER IN TO MY DEALERSHIP, SMALLWOODS TRAILERS, TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL FAULT. THE FAULT WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. SPECIFICALLY THE BACKING PLATE ON ONE WHEEL HAD BROKEN AND THE OTHER THREE BACKING PLATES HAD CRACKS IN THEM. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE ON ANY OF THE AUTOMOBILES I HAVE OWNED. SEEMS ODD. ARE OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM? THIS TRAILER WEIGHS OVER 13,00 POUNDS.