Theurer Recall 85V163000: Trailer Hitches
NHTSA recall 85V163000 · announced December 9, 1985 · filed by Theurer Inc. · 162 units affected
The problem
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.
Official NHTSA recall notice →
Notes
SYSTEM:SUSPENSION/CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:28 FOOT LONG, SINGLE AXLE VAN TRAILERS EQUIPPED TO TOWANOTHER TRAILER.
Vehicles covered by this recall
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.