2019 PLEASANT VALLEY TEARDROP TRAILER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

I used this carrier 3x (last was in Aug 2021), primarily due to Covid-19, or other travel that did not include use of the carrier. The fourth and last use was on [XXX]. The carrier was securely mounted to the A-frame of my travel trailer, as per the mfg's instructions. I had driven 150 miles from my home (via U.S. Interstates XXX and XXX), when I stopped at a rest area near Gila Bend, AZ, to stretch my legs. When I exited my truck, I observed the carrier support system had failed. My two "Specialized" brand bicycles, weighing 30 lbs. each, were leaning back at a 45-degree angle from their original vertical position. The carrier is rated to support up to 80 lbs. For unknown reasons, the steel "Y-base" (aka Stem) arms had failed (i.e., the steel arms bent/twisted backward), allowing both bikes to lean backward, causing them to repeatedly bang against the aluminum roof of my trailer, resulting in damage to the trailer. Fortunately, the bikes did not fall off the carrier. They were secured with the carrier tie-down straps and my cable locks. I have contacted both Let's Go Aero (original designer) and Lippert Components on multiple occasions seeking compensation for the damages caused, pursuant to the implied warranty of merchantability. But, I primarily wanted to inform them of the failure and safety concerns. Both companies denied responsibility, relying on the one-year product warranty having expired (which I did not deny.) Neither expressed any intent to investigate further to determine the cause, or to report my concerns to the CPSC, NHTSA, or consumers. I am unaware of the same specific failure being reported by others, but I have read multiple online reports (some with photos) of weld and steel split failures (generally b/w 2018-2020.) One report described a bicycle falling off the carrier and onto the side of a highway. The Jack-IT continues to be sold. See also: [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)