Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Fasteners may Loosen – Keystone Husky Towing Products Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E022
Manufacturer Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc.
Components TRAILER HITCHES
Potential Number of Units Affected 25,000

 

Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Fasteners may Loosen

If the jaws unexpectedly open, the fifth wheel trailer will not be secured to the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

Summary

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. (Keystone) is recalling certain Husky Towing Products, fifth wheel trailer hitches, part numbers 31569/14-1706, and 31570/14-1707. The fasteners in the fifth wheel trailer hitch may loosen, potentially causing the jaws to unexpectedly open or preventing the jaws from being able to be unlocked.

 

Remedy

Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected hardware using thread locker, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-800-432-8063.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE     18E – 022

 

Dear [Name],

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

 

Husky Towing Products has decided that a defect, which relates to fifth wheel towing safety, may exist in the 16KW and 26KW fifth wheel hitch head assemblies manufactured between 2010 and 2017. These hitch heads are used in the final assembly of the Husky Towing Products fifth wheel hitches. Please see the list at the bottom of the page for the potentially affected units. It is extremely important to take steps now to repair your hitch to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

 

WHY DOES MY HITCH NEED REPAIRS? 

These part numbers may have been manufactured without Loctite on bolts used in the handle guide and the jaw. This condition could result in the bolts becoming loose. If this occurs you may not be able to unlock the jaws to separate your trailer from the hitch or, in the worst case, the jaws may open unexpectedly, inadvertently releasing the trailer from the hitch, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

HOW DO I RESOLVE THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE?

Husky Towing Products will repair your hitch free of charge (parts and labor). To do this, your dealer will remove the hitch head assembly and apply Loctite Red to the necessary bolts subject to this recall. The estimated repair time is 30 minutes. We recommend that you schedule a service appointment with your dealer to minimize your inconvenience. Alternatively, give us a call at 877-544-4449 and the Husky Warranty Department will help direct you to an authorized repair facility. Please bring this letter with you to your dealership.

 

WHAT IF I ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THIS REPAIR COMPLETED?

If you have already experienced this specific condition and have paid to have it repaired, please email techinfohuskytow@coastdist.com to submit your reimbursement request online. Please include a copy of the receipt, work order detail and name of dealership that completed the work. Once we receive and verify the required documents, reimbursement will be sent to you within 60 days. If you have had previous repairs performed and/or already received reimbursement, you may still need to have the recall repair performed.

 

WHAT IF I NO LONGER OWN THE HITCH?

If you have sold your hitch, please email the name of the new owner to techinfohuskytow@coastdist.com so that we can contact the new owner.

 

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions regarding this recall, please contact Husky Towing Products by email at techinfohuskytow@coastdist.com or call 877-544-4449.

Affected Parts in this recall:

 

Possible SKU’s the Heads were sold under

Heads		Kitted Parts				Head & Crossmember		OEM PUCK
31569/14‐1706		16KW		26KW		16KW & 26KW		System
31570/14‐1707		31666/14‐1512		31688/14‐1512		31318/14‐1308		33011K/81‐0834
31578/45‐0074		31666KIT/14‐1718		31688KIT/14‐1733		31318KIT/14‐1713		33013K/81‐0832
31581/45‐0077		31667/14‐1504		31690/14‐1503		31326/14‐1333		33017K/81‐0835
		31667KIT/14‐1719		31690KIT/14‐1734		31326KIT/14‐1714		33021K/81‐0836
		32392/14‐1513
		32392KIT/14‐1720

 

If after having attempted to take advantage of this recall you believe you have not been able to have your hitch remedied without charge and within a reasonable amount of time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll-free vehicle safety hotline at 1888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

 

Please have these repairs completed as soon as possible since we are concerned for your safety. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

 

Customer Care

Husky Towing Products

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

TO:     All Dealers

Husky Towing Products has initiated a safety recall on four-part numbers manufactured from 2010 through 2017.  The four part numbers are:

• 31569/14-1706
• 31570/14-1707
• 31578/45-0074
• 31581/45-0077

 

These four parts are associated with the heads of the 16,000 pound KW and 26,000 pound KW fifth wheel hitch products.  All product with a “Packed On” date in 2010 through 2017 is affected by this recall.  The picture below shows you how to identify the “Packed On” date:

 

These part numbers may have been assembled without Loctite on three bolts used in the handle guide and the jaw.  This condition could result in a user not being able to unlock the jaws to separate the trailer from the hitch or, in the worst case, cause the jaws to open unexpectedly, releasing the trailer from the hitch.  Husky Towing Products is not aware of any injuries associated with this potential non-conformity, but we seek your help in addressing the potential hazard out of an abundance of caution.

Owners will be notified by mail about the recall and will be instructed to call Husky’s Technical/Warranty Department.  We need your help gathering owner information so we can contact the owners with information about the recall and possible repair at your location. Please see page two of this notice for a complete listing of the fifth wheel kit part numbers.  Also enclosed is a technical bulletin walking you through the steps in repairing of these heads.  There is no cost to owners for this recall and you will be reimbursed for the labor in repairing these heads should you decide to perform the repairs within your shop.

It is a violation of Federal law for you to sell any of the above listed part numbers manufactured prior to 2018 until a replacement part has been provided or a repair has been performed.  Repair authorization and tracking must happen through the warranty department for each repair or replacement of each part.

Please use this letter as official notice for these four parts (31569/14-1706, 31570/14-1707, 31578/45-0074 and 31581/45-0077).  Replacement parts and new inventory are available.  Please work with the Warranty Department to satisfy each customer.

The following is a list of the affected fifth wheel kits that are subject to this recall. We will need owner information current through the date you provide the owner information.  A prompt response with the owner information would be greatly appreciated.

Possible SKU’s the Heads were sold under
Kitted Parts				Head & Crossmember		OEM PUCK
16KW		26KW		16KW & 26KW		System
31666/14‐1512		31688/14‐1512		31318/14‐1308		33011K/81‐0834
31666KIT/14‐1718		31688KIT/14‐1733		31318KIT/14‐1713		33013K/81‐0832
31667/14‐1504		31690/14‐1503		31326/14‐1333		33017K/81‐0835
31667KIT/14‐1719		31690KIT/14‐1734		31326KIT/14‐1714		33021K/81‐0836
32392/14‐1513
32392KIT/14‐1720

 

Your assistance with this recall is appreciated.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Husky Technical Service at 1-877-544-4449.

Thank you for your support.

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Owner Notification Letter

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCONL-18E022-1415.pdf

 

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Manufacturer Notice

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCMN-18E022-1923.pdf

 

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Manufacturer Notice

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCMN-18E022-5641.pdf

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

April 25, 2018

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCAK-18E022-6146.pdf

 

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