2016 Keystone Montana problems

STRUCTURE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11545700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #11286294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

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

NHTSA complaint #11268729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #11193303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11191804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11191804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-250 HAULING A 2016 KEYSTONE MONTANA. THE TRAILER WAS EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER KING ST RADIAL TIRES, SIZE: 235/80/R16. WHILE THE TRAILER WAS PARKED, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER AND TIRE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,013. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11110509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KEYSTONE MONTANA TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER KING TIRES, TIRE LINE: UNKNOWN, TIRE SIZE: 235/80R16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AAA WAS CONTACTED AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. WHILE ON THE WAY TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AAA WAS CONTACTED AGAIN AND ANOTHER TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE AAA TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT THE CORRECT TIRES FOR THE TRAILER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND SENT A PRODUCT LIABILITY FORM TO BE COMPLETED BY THE CONTACT. THE COMPLETED FORM AND THE FAILED TIRES WERE RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER RESPONDED THAT THE TIRES WERE OVERLOADED OR UNDER INFLATED. WHILE TRAVELING TO GET NEW TIRES, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE ALSO BLEW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TRAILER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT THE CORRECT TIRES FOR THE TRAILER. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.

NHTSA complaint #11102863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

TRAILER IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. CAME ORIGINAL WITH TRAILER KING TIRES. DATE CODE 1015. ON JULY 21ST, 2017. I CHECKED TIRE PSI BEFORE LEAVING OVERNIGHT STAY. ALL TIRES WERE BETWEEN 78-80PSI. AFTER 49-50 MILES INTO TRIP ON I 75 NORTH BOUND. THE RR TIRE BLEW OUT. ROAD SPEED AT WHICH TIRE WAS RUN WAS BETWEEN 64-66 MPH. WE WERE AT 65 MPH WHEN BLOW-OUT OCCURRED. NO DEBRIS IN ROADWAY. CHANGED TIRE & DROVE TO NEAREST SERVICE FOR REPLACEMENT TIRE. AT THIS SERVICE I NOTICED RUST IN BELT PACKAGE. LIKE THIS TIRE WAS ASSEMBLED WITH RUSTED BELTS. ON RETURN TRIP HOME JULY 24TH. STOPPING AFTER 2 HOUR DRIVE AT REST AREA SOUTH OF OCALA,FL. I DID A WALK AROUND INSPECTION & NOTICED THE LF TIRE BELT SEPARATING. TIRE PSI WAS 78. NO DAMAGE TO TIRE. RELEASED AIR FROM TIRE TO AVOID INJURY & DROVE TO NEAREST SERVICE. HAD REMAINING TRAILER KING TIRES REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #11010412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CENTRAL A/C SYSTEM ALLOWS RAIN-WATER TO COME INTO THE COACH THRU THE EXTERIOR SHROUD HOUSING AND IT FLOWS/DRIPS INTO THE AIR RETURN IN THE CEILING (WHERE THERE IS ALSO ELECTRICAL/WIRING) AND THE RAIN WATER THEN RUNS TO THE AIR FILTER, SATURATES IT AND THEN DRIPS ONTO THE TOP OF THE KITCHEN CABINETS, DOWN THE WALL TO THE STOVE AND COUNTER IN THE KITCHEN. THIS MAY RESULT IN A SAFETY ISSUE SOON DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AT THE ENTRY LOCATION (A RETRANGLE CUTOUT ON THE ROOF WHERE THE A/C MARRIES TO THE RUBBER ROOF. ALSO, THE EXPOSURE TO WATER WHERE I LIVE IN SW FLORIDA NOW MAY HAVE CAUSED "MOLD" TO BEGIN GROWING INSIDE MY WALL AND THE CEILING AND ROOF MATERIALS. UPON TAKING RV TO A CERTIFIED DEALER, THEY FOUND A 3" HOLD TORN AWAY UNDER THE A/C SYSTEM WITH A HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE EXPOSED WOOD ROOF MATERIALS. AFTER THEY PATCHED THE HOLE THE COACH WAS FOUND TO STILL LEAK WATER INSIDE THE COACH DURING A RAIN STORM. 6 WEEKS LATER AT A DIFFERENT CERTIFIED DEALER, A WATER TEST WAS PERFORMED WITH THE TECH AND OWNER PRESENT WHERE AS THE COACH IS STILL LEAKING, NOW THRU THE EXTERIOR SHROUD ALLOWING THE WATER INTRUSION INTO THE COACH. AGAIN, THERE IS WIRING PRESENT AT THE PLACE OF ENTRY OF THE WATER. WATER & ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE A HAZARD. COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR A ELECTRICAL SHORT TO HAPPEN AT ANY TIME THE COACH IS IN USE. THE COACH WAS INITIALLY PARKED IN A CAMPGROUND WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED. THE WHOLE IN THE RUBBER ROOF WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY WORKER OR PROCESS. THE "SHROUD" ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. I AM UNABLE TO SNAP A PICTURE OF THE SHROUD PROBLEM DUE TO TIGHT CONFINED AREA (1" SPACE IN THE AIR RETURNS ABOVE THE CABINETS). ATTACHED PHOTO OF THE HOLE IN RUBBER MATERIALS. HOWEVER THE RECTANGLE CUTOUT FOR THE A/C SHOWS THE WIRING THAT IS IN CLOSE RANGE OF THE WATER COMING INTO THE COACH THRU THIS CUTOUT.

NHTSA complaint #11005442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.