Guide Block May Fail – 2016-2019 ATC Quest Stacker Trailers

December 23, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V921000

Guide Block May Fail

While in tilt position, lift may become unseated from the ladder causing front end of lift to fall, increasing the risk of injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V921

Manufacturer Aluminum Trailer Company

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 232

 

Summary

Aluminum Trailer Company (ATC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Quest Stacker trailers. The guide block may fail causing the car lift to drop into the tilt position.

 

Remedy

ATC will notify owners and dealers will replace the existing guide blocks with an improved guide block made from Nylatron, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 10, 2020. Owners may contact ATC customer service at 1-877-441-2440, extension 342.

 

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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NHTSA is missing critical, required information for this safety recall. This information must be supplied through the NHTSA Recalls Portal within 5 working days of confirming its accuracy:

– A description of the basis for your company’s determination of the recall population (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(2)).

– A description of how the products to be recalled differ from similar products that are not included in the recall (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(2)).

– The percentage of products estimated to contain the defect or noncompliance (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(4)).

– A statement that defscribes the safety consequence of a guide block failing. (49 CFR 577.5).

– A description of the manufacturer’s program for remedying the defect or noncompliance (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(8)(i)).

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Guide Block & Fail-Safe Installation

Post With Angle Design

 

Components Included

Fasteners Required

• #128044 (12) 1/4″-20 x 1/2″ Long, Socket Head Screw
• #127866 (7) 3/8″-24 x 1/2″ Long, Socket Head Screw
• #128039 (1) 3/8″-24 x 3/4″ Long, Low-Profile Socket Head Screw

 

Steel Plates

#128486 (2) Lift Side

#128089 (2) Support Side

#128016 (1) Drilling Template

 

NSM Guide Blocks

#128372 (1)
Front Lift Side

#127952 (6)
“Universal”

#128373 (1)
Rear Lift Side

 

Instructions

1. Remove all guide blocks & safety cover plates from the lift cross-beams.
2. Examine the front lift side guide blocks. If the guide blocks match below with the holes close to each other, proceed to the next step.  If the guide blocks match below with the holes spaced further apart, contact ATC for assistance.
3. Drill a 1” hole to create an access holes through the front lift side post channel and angle & the rear lift side post channel and angle approximately 16” from the floor and 1” from the front face of the angle as shown in Figure 3.
4. Repeat step 3 on the backside of the front lift side post channel & rear lift side post channel side without the angle. The hole should 3/4” from the front face of the channel as shown in Figure 3.
5. Drill a 1” hole to create an access holes through both sides of the front support side post channel & the rear support side post channel approximately 16” from the floor and 3/4” from the front face of the channel as shown in Figure 4.
6. Fasten the drilling template to the front plate of the front lift side cross-beam as shown in Figure 5 using the (2) ¼” tapped holes furthest away from the post.
7. Lift or lower the platform so that one of the holes in the drilling template is visible through the access hole in the post.
8. Use a #7 drill bit to drill through the cross-beam plate using the template as a guide.
9. Lift or lower the platform so that the other hole in the drilling template is visible through the access hole in the post.
10. Use a #7 drill bit to drill through the cross-beam plate using the template as a guide.
11. Repeat steps 6-10 on the rear plate of the front lift side cross-beam, the front plate of the rear lift side cross-beam, and the rear plate of the rear lift side cross-beam.
12. Fasten the drilling template to the front plate of the front support side cross-beam as shown in Figure 6 using the (2) ¼” tapped holes furthest away from the post.
13. Lift or lower the platform so that the top hole in the drilling template is visible through the access hole in the post.
14. Use a #7 drill bit to drill through the cross-beam plate using the template as a guide.
15. Repeat steps 12-14 for the front plate of the rear support side cross-beam.
16. Fasten the drilling template to the rear plate of the front support side cross-beam as shown in Figure 7  using the (2) ¼” tapped holes furthest away from the post.
17. Lift or lower the platform so that the bottom hole in the drilling template is visible through the access hole in the post.
18. Use a #7 drill bit to drill through the cross-beam plate using the template as a guide.
19. Repeat steps 16-18 for the rear plate of the rear support side cross-beam.
20. Lift or lower the platform so that the top hole on the front plate of the front support side cross-beam is exposed as show in Figure 8.
21. Use a ¼”-20 tap to tap the top hole inside the post.
22. Repeat steps 20-21 for the front plate of the rear support side cross-beam
23. Lift or lower the platform so that the bottom hole on the rear plate of the front support side cross-beam is exposed as show in Figure 9.
24. Use a ¼”-20 tap to tap the bottom hole inside the post.
25. Repeat steps 23-24 for the rear plate of the rear support side cross-beam
26. Lift or lower the platform so that the bottom hole on the rear plate of the front lift side cross-beam is exposed as show in Figure 10.
27. Use a ¼”-20 tap to tap the bottom hole inside the post.
28. Repeat steps 26-27 for the rear plate of the rear lift side cross-beam.
29. Lift or lower the platform so that the bottom hole in the front plate of the front cross-beam is exposed through the post access hole as shown in Figure 11.
30. Use a “Q” drill bit to enlarge the diameter of the front side hole shown in Figure 11.
    • Then Tap this hole using a 3/8”-24 fine thread
31. Lower the platform so that the top hole in the front cross-beam is exposed through the post access hole as shown in Figure 12.
32. Use a “Q” drill bit to enlarge the diameter of the front side hole shown in Figure 12.
    • Then Tap this hole using a 3/8”-24 fine thread
33. Use a “Q” drill bit to enlarge the diameter of the 2 holes outside the post shown in Figure 13.
    • Then Tap these holes using a 3/8”-24 fine thread
34. Repeat steps 29-33 for the front plate of the rear lift side cross-beam.
35. Install the new guide blocks provided starting with the Front Lift Side & Rear Lift Side guide blocks as shown in Figure 13.
    • Please note that the Rear Lift Side guide block should have a Chamfered face.
    • Use the 3/8″-24 x 3/4″ Low-Profile screw for the Rear Lift Side guide block in the bottom hole inside the post with the chamfered face.
    • Use the 3/8″-24 x 1/2“ screws in the remaining holes to fasten the blocks to the cross-beam.
36. Install the Universal guide blocks on the back plates of the Front Lift Side, Rear Lift Side, Front Support Side, & Rear Support Side into the bottom holes as shown in Figure 14.
    • Use the 1/4″-20 x 1/2″ Screws to fasten the blocks to the cross-beam.
37. Install the remaining Universal guide blocks on the front plates of the Front Support Side & Rear Support Side into the top holes as shown in Figure 15.
    • Use the 1/4″-20 x 1/2″ Screws to fasten the blocks to the cross-beam.
38. Verify all fasteners are tightened and the guide blocks sit flush against the cross-beam.
39. Test fit the support side stop plate on the back plate of the front support side cross-beam as shown in Figure 16. The top of the stop plate should be approximately 1 ¼” down from the top of the cross-beam plate, and the face parallel with the post channel should be 3/16” away from the post as shown in Figure 17. Mark the outline of the support side stop plate.
40. Use a Bandfile or an angle grinder to remove the powder coat around the marks from the support side stop plates on the back plate of the front support side cross-beam to prep the surface for welding.
41. With the platform lowered to the floor, install the support side stop plates in the same location shown in Figure 17 by welding the top, around the outside vertical edge, and the bottom of the stop plate.
42. Repeat steps 39-41 for the rear support side cross-beam.
43. Loosen the top chain anchor 5/8” nut on the front lift side cross-beam as shown in Figure
44. Test fit the lift side stop plate on the top plate of the front support side cross-beam by tilting the plate up inside the post and then sliding it down with the slot around the anchor as shown in Figure 19. Mark the outline of the lift side stop plate around the large radius edge and the slot, then remove the plate.
45. Use a Bandfile or an angle grinder to remove the powder coat from the top face of the top plate around the marks on the front lift side cross-beam to prep the surface for welding.
46. Re-install the lift side stop plate on the front lift side cross-beam. Place the stop plate so that the edges highlighted in Figure 19 are flush with the existing top plate.
47. Verify that the edges of the lift side stop plate do not extend past the guide block as shown in Figure 20, so that the block always contacts the post before the plate. Then tighten the 5/8” nut on top of the stop plate.
48. With the lift side stop plate in position, weld around the highlighted edges shown in Figure 21.
49. Repeat steps 42-47 for the rear lift side cross-beam.
50. Clean the steel stop plates and around the welded surfaces. Finish by painting the steel stop plates and touch up other surfaces as needed.

 

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Guide Block & Fail-Safe Installation

Current Post Design

 

Components Included

Fasteners Required

• #128044 (12) 1/4″-20 x 1/2″ Long, Socket Head Screw
• #127866 (11) 3/8″-24 x 1/2″ Long, Socket Head Screw
• •#128039 (1 ) 3/ 24 x 3/4″ Long, Low Profile Socket Head Screw

 

NSM Guide Blocks

#128088 (2) Lift Side

#128089 (2 ) Support Side

 

NSM Guide Blocks

#127952 (2)
Lift Side Back

#127950 (1)
Front Support Side

#127948 (1)
Front Lift Side

#128442 (2)
Support Side Back

#127951 (1)
Rear Support Side

#127949 (1)
Rear Lift Side

 

 

1. Remove all guide blocks & safety cover plates from the lift cross-beams.
2. Lift the platform so that the bottom tapped hole in the front plate of the front cross-beam is exposed through the post access hole as shown in Figure 1.

3. Use a “Q” drill bit to enlarge the diameter of the front side hole shown in Figure 1.
   • Then Tap this hole using a 3/8”-24 fine thread
4. Lower the platform so that the top tapped hole in the front cross-beam is exposed through the post access hole as shown in Figure 2.
5. Use a “Q” drill bit to enlarge the diameter of the front side hole shown in Figure 2.
   • Then Tap this hole using a 3/8”-24 fine thread
6. Use a “Q” drill bit to enlarge the diameter of the 2 holes outside the post shown in Figure 3.
   • Then Tap these holes using a 3/8”-24 fine thread
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for the front plate of the rear lift side cross-beam.
   • Please note that only the plates on the cross beams towards the front should be modified. The plates on the cross beams towards the rear will still use the ¼” holes and will not need to be modified.
8. Move to the front plate on the front support side cross-beam.
9. Use a “Q” drill bit to enlarge the diameter of the 2 holes outside the post shown in Figure 4.
   • Then Tap these holes using a 3/8”-24 fine thread
10. Repeat step 9 for the front plate on the rear support side cross-beam.
    • Please note that the support side holes inside the post will not change.
11. Install the new guide blocks provided starting with the Front Support Side & Rear Support Side as shown in Figure 5 below.
    • Please note that the Rear Support Side guide block should have a Chamfered face.
    • Use the 1/4″-20 x ½” screws for the holes inside the post to fasten the blocks to the cross-beam.
    • Use the 3/8”-24 x ½” screws for the holes outside the post to fasten the blocks to the cross-beam.

 

12. Install the Front Lift Side & Rear Lift Side guide blocks as shown in Figure 6.
    • Please note that the Rear Lift Side guide block should have a Chamfered face.
    • Use the 3/8″-24 x 3/4″ Low-Profile screw for the Rear Lift Side guide block in the bottom hole inside the post with the chamfered face.
    • Use the 3/8″-24 x 1/2“ screws in the remaining holes to fasten the blocks to the cross-beam.
13. Install the smaller back side guide blocks to the rear side of all beams into the bottom holes as shown in Figure 7.
    • Please note that the Support Side Back blocks should have a chamfered end.
    • Use the 1/4″-20 x 1/2″ Screws to fasten the blocks to the cross-beam.
14. Verify all fasteners are tightened and the guide blocks sit flush against the cross-beam.
15. Test fit the support side stop plate on the back plate of the front support side cross-beam and the rear support side cross-beam as shown in Figure 8. The top of the stop plate should be approximately 1 ¼” down from the top of the cross-beam plate, and the face parallel with the post channel should be 3/16” away from the post as shown in Figure 9. Mark the outline of the support side stop plate.
16. Use a Bandfile or an angle grinder to remove the powder coat around the marks from the support side stop plates on the back plate of the front support side cross-beam and the rear support side cross-beam to prep the surface for welding.
17. With the platform lowered to the floor, install the support side stop plates in the same location shown in Figure 9 by welding the top, around the outside vertical edge, and the bottom of the stop plate.
18. Loosen the top chain anchor 5/8” nut on the front lift side cross-beam and the rear lift side cross-beam as shown in Figure
19. Test fit the lift side stop plate on the top plate of the front support side cross-beam and the rear support side cross-beam by tilting the plate up inside the post and then sliding it down with the slot around the anchor as shown in Figure 11. Mark the outline of the lift side stop plate around the large radius edge and the slot, then remove the plate.
20. Use a Bandfile or an angle grinder to remove the powder coat from the top face of the top plate around the marks on the front lift side cross-beam and the rear lift side cross-beam to prep the surface for welding.
21. Install the lift side stop plate on the front lift side cross-beam and the rear lift side cross-beam by tilting the plate up inside the post and then sliding it down with the slot around the anchor. Place the stop plate so that the edges highlighted in Figure 11 are flush with the existing top plate.
22. Verify that the edges of the lift side stop plate do not extend past the guide block as shown in Figure 12, so that the block always contacts the post before the plate. Then tighten the 5/8” nut on top of the stop plate.
23. With the lift side stop plate in position, weld around the highlighted edges shown in Figure 13 for the front lift side cross-beam and the rear lift side cross-beam.
24. Clean the steel stop plates and around the welded surfaces. Finish by painting the steel stop plates and touch up other surfaces as needed.

 

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The Aluminum Trailer Company
751 N. Tomahawk Trail P.O. Box 396
Nappanee, IN 46550
(877) 441-2440

 

February 10, 2020

 

RE: IMPORTANT CONSUMER SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 

The Aluminum Trailer Company # 19V-921

 

Dear Smith Site Development:

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

 

Reason For This Recall

The Aluminum Trailer Company (“ATC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain ATC stacker trailers with a lift design manufactured by ATC from September 2016 until September 2019.

 

! Important !

• Your ATC stacker model trailer is being recalled
• You should contact the dealer you made your purchase from or contact ATC to find a qualified service facility near you.

 

Why Is A Recall Being Conducted?

The lift was designed in such a way that the current guide block material is not holding up to dynamic load conditions, causing guide block failure. If this happens, while in the tilt position the lift may become unseated from the ladder causing the front end of the lift to fall, becoming a safety risk and potentially causing property damage and serious personal injury.  Safety of all past and present ATC trailers is our top priority.

Our records indicate that you purchased model — Quest Stacker trailer; VIN 5JXAE263; from Trailers of the East Coast – Mocksville, NC in November of 2016.  If you are still the current owner of the trailer, we need your help to make arrangements to inspect this trailer.

 

What We Will Do

ATC will remedy the defect without charge to you by replacing the guide blocks that guide the platform up and down the posts, as well as installing steel stop plates.   Once contact has been made with a dealer you can expect the dealer to receive the parts in one weeks’ time. ATC will reimburse any customer who incurred costs to repair the defect before our notification was sent.

 

What You Should Do

Please contact Customer Support at The Aluminum Trailer Company by mail, P.O. Box 396 Nappanee, IN 46550; by phone (877) 441-2440, or electronic mail customersupport@aluminumtrailer.com.  We will then make arrangements to refer you to the closest dealer to make the required repairs. We estimate the time to perform the labor required to correct the defect to be approximately 10 hours. Please ask the dealer directly if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your trailer.

If you have already paid to have your trailer repaired for this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the charges you paid for the repair or replacement, as applicable. To learn more about what you need to do to obtain reimbursement, contact Customer Support above.  

 

What if you no longer own the trailer

If you have sold or traded your trailer, please let us know by contacting customer support by phone (877) 441-2440 or electronic mail customersupport@aluminumtrailer.com or via the contact us link on aluminumtrailer.com website.

After contacting the ATC customer support number, if you still are not able to have the safety defect remedied without charge and within a reasonable time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1–888–327–4236 (TTY: 1–800– 424–9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov, if you believes that  ATC has failed or is unable to remedy the defect or noncompliance without charge.

We take great pride in the quality and safety of our products.  Your participation in this process helps us achieve our goal of continuing to provide our customers with many more years of safe travel trailer use. We are sorry for this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Aluminum Trailer Company

 

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The Aluminum Trailer Company
751 N. Tomahawk Trail P.O. Box 396
Nappanee, IN 46550
 (877) 441-2440

 

2/10/20

RE: IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTIFICATION – NHTSA Recall Notice 19V-921 – ATC

Stacker Trailers

 

To:  All Dealers

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

The Aluminum Trailer Company (“ATC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain ATC stacker trailers with a lift design manufactured by ATC from September 2016 until September 2019.

The lift was designed in such a way that the current guide block material is not holding up to dynamic load conditions, causing guide block failure. If this happens, while in the tilt position the lift may become unseated from the ladder causing the front end of the lift to fall, becoming a safety risk and potentially causing property damage and serious personal injury.  Safety of all past and present ATC trailers is our top priority.

Owners will be notified by mail about the recall.  ATC will remedy the defect by replacing the guide blocks that guide the platform up and down the posts, as well as installing steel stop plates.

Once contact has been made with ATC you can expect the repair facility to receive the parts in one weeks’ time. We estimate the time to perform the labor required to correct the defect to be approximately 10 hours.  There is no cost to owners for this recall.  ATC will reimburse any customer who incurred costs to repair the defect before our notification was sent.

Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you to sell or lease the trailers covered by this notification until this recall has been performed on these trailers.  Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.

Your assistance with this recall is appreciated.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Customer Support at The Aluminum Trailer Company by mail, P.O. Box 396 Nappanee, IN 46550; by phone (877) 441-2440, or electronic mail customersupport@aluminumtrailer.com.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Aluminum Trailer Company

 

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4 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
ATC	QUEST	2016-2019

 

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10 Associated Documents

Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-19V921-2162.pdf 177.628KB

 

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V921-6792.pdf 193.104KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V921-1200.pdf 245.708KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V921-7109.PDF 214.437KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V921-5298.PDF 211.123KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V921-2841.pdf 871.013KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V921-9290.pdf 1097.94KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-2

RCLQRT-19V921-0601.PDF 211.222KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1

RCLRPT-19V921-6004.PDF 215.721KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-3

RCLQRT-19V921-8199.PDF 211.306KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V921&docType=RCL

 

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