Zieman Recall 80V005000: Trailer Hitches

NHTSA recall 80V005000 · announced January 22, 1980 · filed by Zieman Mfg. Co. · 30 units affected

The problem

THE DEFECT IS DUE TO A DESIGN ERROR IN THE COUPLING SYSTEM OF THE TRAILER AND TOWING VEHICLE. IN NORMAL OPERATION, THE SURGE BRAKE HITCH COUPLER ACTIVATES THE TRAILER BRAKES AS THE TOWING VEHICLE DECELERATES. A TRANSVERSE PIN, LOCATED IN THE REAR PART OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR, MAY PULL OUT OF THE FIXED EARS AT ITS EXTREME ENDS. THIS WOULD ALLOW TRAILER SEPARATION, EXCEPT FOR THE SAFETY CHAINS.

What to do

DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLE AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE.

Official NHTSA recall notice →

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRAILERS.SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; SURGE BRAKE HITCH COUPLER.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE SAFETY CHAINS BREAK, THE TRAILER WOULD ROLL FREEAND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PARTIAL SEPARATION COULD ALSO CAUSE LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 1979 Zieman D2
• 1980 Zieman D2
• 1979 Zieman D2w
• 1980 Zieman D2w

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.