Storage Rack Beams May Fail - 2019 Forest River Rockport

August 16, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V604000

If the beams fail, components may fall off and strike occupants, increasing risk the risk of an injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V604

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 51

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Rockport box vans and service bodies, equipped with Uline Bulk Storage racks. Due to improper welding, the bulk storage beams may fail when loaded.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install replacement beams that were correctly welded, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 29, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-522-7599 or Uline customer service at 1-800-295-5510 or email at [email protected]. Forest River’s number for this recall is 29-1074.

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.

August 5, 2019

Re: Product Recall— Bulk Storage Racking Shelf Beams

Bulk Storage Beams

Dear Customer:

We have been informed that our manufacturer of Bulk Storage Racking has issued a voluntary recall for Bulk Storage Beams manufactured between May 15, 2019, and July 10, 2019. Our records indicate that you purchased Bulk Storage Racking from Uline that may be affected by this recall. Please refer to the chart on the following page.

Our manufacturer discovered that the automated robotic welding system used for the Bulk Storage Beams could, on rare occasions, weld incorrectly. The weld bead that connects the beam and beam ends may not be centered along the seam between the components, leaving gaps or bubbling in the weld. As a result, the beam may fail when loaded. Please note, the uprights, particle boards/wire decking and shelf supports are not affected.

You can determine whether you have a defective beam by reviewing the examples provided in the Bulk Storage Beams Weld Reference Guide included with this letter.

Please remove product from your Bulk Storage Racking and inspect your beams immediately. In the event that you find your product to be defective or have any questions regarding this voluntary recall, please contact Uline’s Customer Service Department at 1-800-295-5510 or [email protected] for information on how to receive a replacement beam. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sincerely,

Customer Service Department
Uline, Inc.

Item Number	Item Description
H-2873	72X24X72″ BULK STORAGE RACK

Bulk Storaqe Beams Weld Reference Guide

Good Beam Example

A good beam will have a proper weld along the diagonal following the seam. There will be no visible gaps in the diagonal weld, and there may be one minimal gap in the bend that will measure 3/8″ or less.

Bad Beam Examples

A bad beam will typically have inconsistencies in the weld, such as gaps in the weld bead. A gap of 3/8″ or greater is considered defective.

A bad beam will typically have inconsistencies in the weld, such as bubbling or holes within the weld bead.

A bad beam will typically have inconsistencies in the weld, such as a weld that is visibly missing or off the seam.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 19V604

<<VIN>>
<<OWNER NAME/DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

08/26/2019

This Notice applies to your vehicle VIN listed above. Dear Forest River Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (US) and the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada). Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to the motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2019 model year Rockport RPAA1470 Work Trucks.

WHAT IS THE DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE?

According to the defect notice received from ULINE: “Our manufacturer discovered that the automated robotic welding system used for the Bulk Storage Beams could, on rare occasions, weld incorrectly. The weld bead that connects the beam and the beam ends may not be centered between the components, leaving gaps or bubbling in the weld.”

EVALUATION OF THE RISK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPERATOR(S) RELATED TO THE RECALL.

According to the defect notice received from ULINE: “As a result, the beam may fail when loaded.” Increasing the risk to personal injury and property damage.

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER AND OUR DEALERSHIPS GOING TO DO?

The remedy for this recall is available upon receipt of this notification. Forest River is notifying dealerships of the recall and providing dealers with the remedy instructions. You may have the recall corrected at any Forest River dealership. However, it is preferable if you have your selling dealership perform the remedy. Forest River completely covers your cost for the remedy; you will not receive any bill of sale for anything covered under the above recall number.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Please contact your dealer without delay and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy. The vehicle

Owner is responsible for making arraignments to have the work completed. Please state you have been notified by Forest River of having a recall in process for your vehicle and provide the recall number for the dealership. It is also helpful to the dealership to have a copy of this letter when you take your vehicle in for the recall remedy.

You may also visit www.forestriverinc.com for dealer locations.

HOW LONG WILL THE REMEDY PROCESS TAKE?

The estimated time of repair is 2.00 hours. However, the dealership may need to keep your vehicle or schedule an appointment with you for a later date to fit into their regular service schedule.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR REPAIRS TO YOUR VEHICLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONDITION?

If you have already paid for a repair that is within the scope of this defect under recall, you still need to have this recall inspected and/or performed to ensure the correct parts and procedures were utilized.

Additionally, you may be eligible for a refund of previously paid repairs. Refunds will only be provided for within the scope of this defect under recall.

Please send the service invoice to the following address:

Rockport
Forest River, Inc.
Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER
2323 Middlebury St.
Elkhart, IN 46516

What if you no longer own this vehicle?

If you no longer own this vehicle and have the address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner. You have received this letter because government regulations require that a notification is sent to the last known owner of record. Our records indicate that you are the current owner.

PLEASE NOTE: FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT ANY VEHICLE LESSOR RECEIVING THIS RECALL NOTICE MUST FORWARD A COPY OF THIS NOTICE TO THE LESSEE WITHIN TEN DAYS.

MAY FOREST RIVER ASSIST YOU FURTHER?

If you have difficulties getting your vehicle repaired, please contact your Forest River Representative listed below:

CONTACT	PHONE
Uline Customer Service	(800) 295-5510
Uline Customer Service	[email protected]
Rockport Customer Service	(574) 327-2392

If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle/towable repaired in a reasonable amount of time or without change, you may write to the following address:

Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590

Or you may call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or (TTY: 1-800-424-9153).

Or visit www.safercar.gov and search;

Recall ID: 19V604

Sincerely,

Forest River, Inc.
Engineer
Office of Corporate Compliance

1 Affected Product

Vehicle