Awining Recall Dated May-8-2013

[dickandlois]

I have not read this anywhere until tonight.

Link.

http://rvnewsservice.com/2013/05/08/recall-tells-thousands-of-rvers-dont-drive-your-rig/

Body of the information.

RV awnings recalled. Don’t use your RV, feds advise May 8, 2013 by Russ De Maris | Filed under Misc..

ELKHART,
IND – While there’s never a good time for a recall, the opening of
spring RV season is certainly a bad time for telling potentially
thousands of RV owners to NOT use their recreational vehicle. But that
seems to be the sad case for a potential 27,000 RV owners whose rigs may
be equipped with certain powered awnings manufactured by Indiana’s
Dometic Corporation.

In the most recent release of vehicle recall information, the U.S.
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that
several models of Dometic’s WeatherPro motor powered awnings could have
an assembly problem that could cause these awnings to “unfurl
unexpectedly,” at any time, with the RV at rest, or on the road. To that
end, NHTSA is telling anyone who owns one of the awnings not to take
the RV out on the road until the unit is repaired.

RV News Service staff have attempted to get a comment directly from
Dometic regarding the situation, but the company has not yet returned
calls. However, a representative of one of the major RV manufacturers
whose units had the suspect awnings in use, Jayco, says at least 27,000
of the power awnings are in the recall. Other manufacturers specifically
affected by the recall include Keystone, Winnebago, and Thor. However,
Dometic also sold an aftermarket motor service kit which could also
cause the problem.

Not all RV manufacturers have provided a starting date for when
they’ll begin servicing customers affected by this recall. If you have
one of the affected Dometic units, having your awning unfurl while
driving puts you at risk for a serious accident. The text of the NHTSA
recall is reproduced below:

[update: 5/9/2013: RV News Service was contacted by Richard Anderson,
a representative of Dometic. Anderson was quick to reassure the RVing
community that not all 27,000+ of the possibly defective units have been
released into the consumer stream. Some units are still in the hands of
RV manufacturers, others are on RVs that have not yet been sold to
consumers. However, neither Dometic nor Anderson can be clear on just
how many units are in the hands of final customers. ]

Dometic is recalling certain WeatherPro motor powered awning models
805, 815, 825. 835, 845, 885, 855, and 905: 9100 Power awning models
910, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, and 91; and certain awning motor
service kits with part numbers starting with 3307923 and 3310423. The
serial number range for the WeatherPro and 9100 motor powered awnings is
306XXXXX thru 314XXXXX. These motor powered awnings were either sold
in the aftermarket as replacement equipment or installed as original
equipment on various recreation vehicles and horse trailers. The awning
motor service kits were sold in the aftermarket as service parts for
product already installed on recreation vehicles or horse trailers and
do not carry an individual serial number.

The awning motor service kit must be located by the part number shown
above. The motor powered awnings and awning motor service kits were
manufactured between February 13, 2013 and April 9, 2013. If the awning
or service part installation sequence is not completely followed, the
awning motor may unknowingly become damaged. If motor damage occurs, it
is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the
coach is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal
injury or a vehicle crash. Dometic will send notices to purchasers of
the replacement awnings and will work with the vehicle manufacturers to
identify and notify owners of the coaches that had the affected awnings
installed on their recreational vehicles. Dometic staff will replace the
affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence
installation error. The recall has already begun. Owners should contact
their RV manufacturer or Dometic at (888) 447-0003 for more
information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle
until repairs can be performed.

Update history: 5/9/2013 4:44 PM (PDT) to clarify the number of units that may be in consumer hands.

Rich.