Theurer 1985 Trailer Hitches recall
Recalled December 9, 1985 · NHTSA recall 85V163000 · Theurer
Description
TWO WELDS CONNECTING THE PINTLE HOOK CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY TO THE TRAILERS SUSPENSION SUBFRAME HAVE BEEN OMITTED. THIS CAUSES CRACKS TO FORM ON CROSSMEMBER WHEN TOWING ANOTHER TRAILER. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THESE FATIGUE CRACKS WILL RAPIDLY DEVELOP IN THE PINTLE HOOK CROSSMEMBER AND CONTINUE TO GROW UNTIL THE CROSSMEMBER SEPARATES FROM THE TRAILER'S SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. A SEPARATED TOWED VEHICLE WOULD BE OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL ITS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM BRINGS IT TO A STOP. HOWEVER, AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR DURING THE TIME IT IS OUT OF CONTROL.
What to do
ADD ANY MISSING WELDS AND APPLY REINFORCEMENT GUSSETS. REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE ANY CRACKED PINTLE HOOK CROSSMEMBERS.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official recall notice on nhtsa.gov →