ALERT to any Crusader 2017 295RST - SAFETY ISSUE!!

[toberek]

Hello - We came across what we believe to be a significant safety issue with our trailer. We were driving down the road when we noticed the "decorative skirting" over the tires on the kitchen slide out was loose. We stopped and took it off until it could be secured, and then noticed the placement of the slide "up/down" bracket that was between the two trailer tires. The issue is that the bracket is very close to the tire when driving. We were unaware of this issue as the skirting around the tire area conceals this. We became aware when the skirting came loose, and we then saw both the bracket location and the witness marks on the tire. The distance between the bracket and the tire is less than the width of a quarter...meaning any small bump in the road could cause a catastrophic event with a tire blowout. This feels like a significant safety issue for anyone using this trailer.
Attaching pictures of the bracket near the tire.

The tires on the trailer are original - no change.

The pictures are taken while the trailer is hooked to the truck.

We are contacting the manufacturer for advice on next steps. Appreciate any advice and also wanted to warn anyone else with this model. Like us, you may not notice it with the skirting cover concealing this issue.

Thanks.

[SeaDog]

From the pics it looks like the problem could be remedied by using a shorter bolt and cutting the left side of the bracket square to remove the portion so close to the tire. I doubt for slide adjustment that heave of a bracket is required. JMHO

[kenandterry]

toberek.....

I can’t really comment on your posting other than.....

Excellently detailed and with equally excellent photos.

You da man.

[sportsman]

toberek

had the exact issue with our 2014 295 only we were not so lucky we blew a tire from the bolt contacting the tire. anyway pt had a recall on the 2014 315 for that reason the 315 is the same coach from the door back only difference was the 315 came with 16" wheels and the 295 had 15" wheels we ordered our unit with the optional 16" wheels thus the clearance issue with the tire from you're picks looks like you also have 16" wheels. if so they have an updated bracket for the slide. email pt with safety issue and send picks of issue with measuring tape showing issue and one of the tire size label on the side of the coach . they sent the bracket to my dealer and paid to have it replaced. sorry some picks loaded upside down

[JohnD10]

To me that looks very similar to a problem I had with my previous SOB TT.

Take a look at your springs to see if they are flat (see first photo below).

In your photo your trailer looks to be sitting too low, just as mine was, only my TT was bottoming out on top of the tires and wearing holes through the floor of the TT on one side and the slide on the other side.

The TT had roughly 4000 miles on it when this was discovered.

Ended up replacing and upgrading both axles, all brakes and springs, wheels and tires (including the spare).

What really made me realize what was happening was when I pulled up beside a similar model but same brand and year TT when I noticed that his TT was sitting about six inches higher than mine was (second photo, my TT at left).

$4G's later and I got that lift back (photo three before, photo four after repair), and traded it in a week later for my current 5'ver.

[toberek]

Thanks to all for responding...thought we would provide a quick update on the latest info we have.
As pointed out by others, there was a recall of the bracket shown in our pictures in both US and Canada on the 2014 Crusader for the EXACT same issue.

Here is the recall notice from US:
NHTSB Recall of the 2014 Crusader -NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V140000.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/F...USADER#recalls

Owner Notification: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/201...4V140-0123.pdf

The "Fix": https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/201...4V140-6723.pdf

In reviewing both the description and the recall fix instructions, this matches the issue are experiencing on our 2017 Crusader. The recall fix provides a modified bracket and a 1 inch suspension lift placed on each axle.

In talking with Forest River, they have agreed to provide our dealer parts - but so far, not pay for labor....in fact, the parts they are ordering are the SAME parts provided for the 2014 recall.

We are hopeful that by the time the parts arrive, we will have received word that they will pay for labor too - which is what was covered under the 2014 recall (both parts and labor) for the same issue.

We are also worried for other 2017 Crusader owners that may not know about this issue - we are hopeful that any other owners will be contacted by the company to address the issue.

Also, does anyone have further advice on how to ensure that the labor is covered too? Thank you!