2013 NOVAE SURE TRAC — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

APRIL 20, 2013 : PURCHASE TRAILER BRAND NEW. IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS: BROKEN BEARING ON TARP KIT, HYDRAULIC LEAKS FROM BOTH RESERVOIR AND CYLINDER. BOTH PROBLEMS WORKED ON BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY WITHIN A WEEK, HOWEVER THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM STILL LEAKS. MONDAY OCTOBER 21, 2013: ATTEMPT TO ORDER REPLACEMENT TAILGATE FROM VAN KAM (SURE-TRAC DEALER). NOVEMBER 25, 2013, RECEIVE THE THIRD REPLACEMENT TAILGATE SINCE THE FIRST TWO WERE BUILT INCORRECTLY BY SURE-TRAC.. IT FIT, BUT HAD FLAWS IN THE POWDERCOAT. THE DOORS HAVE NEVER CLOSED OR LATCHED AS SMOOTHLY AS THE ORIGINALS. APRIL 2014, TRAILER OUT OF STORAGE (STORED SINCE DECEMBER 1) TO FIND MULTIPLE RUST BUBBLES FROM 1-5" DIAMETER. THE POWDERCOAT IS FALLING OFF FROM EVERY SURFACE OF THE TRAILER. I EXPECT WEAR AND TEAR INSIDE THE DUMP BOX, AS WELL AS AREAS OF DAMAGE. THE FINISH SHOULD NOT BE FALLING OFF FROM UNDAMAGED AREAS, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT ONLY HAD EIGHT MONTHS OF USE. SURE-TRAC'S SUPPOSEDLY EXCELLENT SURFACE PREP AND FINISHING PROCESS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I BOUGHT THIS TRAILER. ESTIMATES FROM LOCAL POWDERCOATING SHOPS ARE BETWEEN $2500-$3000 TO REPAIR THE FINISH. WEDNESDAY MAY 28, 2014: COUPLER FAILS WHILE UNLOADING KUBOTA L5740 (5,700 LBS) FROM THE TRAILER. THE COUPLER WAS PROPERLY ATTACHED TO A 2 5/16" BALL OF ADEQUATE CAPACITY WITH THE LATCH PINNED IN THE CLOSED POSITION. AFTER IT PULLED OFF THE BALL, THE LATCH WAS STILL PINNED IN THE CLOSED POSITION. WE DO DOCUMENTED PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS BEFORE EVERY DAY AND KNOW FROM A VISUAL INSPECTION THAT ALL PORTIONS OF THE TRAILER COUPLING WERE INTACT BEFORE WE LEFT. I REMOVED THE FAILED COUPLER AND REPLACED IT WITH A PINTLE RING. BOTH BOLTS ATTACHING THE COUPLER TO THE TRAILER WERE ATTACHED WITH CONVENTIONAL NUTS, NOT LOCK NUTS AND CAME OFF EASILY. THE ORIGINAL REAR TIRES ARE NEARLY BALD WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON THEM AS WELL. *TR