September 7, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V693000
Fender Clearance Lights May Fail
Inoperable fender clearance lights can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V693
Manufacturer LDJ Manufacturing, Inc.
Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Number of Units Affected 279
Summary
LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. (LDJ) is recalling certain 2021 Thunder Creek Fuel & Service Trailers (FST), Multi-Tank Trailers (MTT), Multi-Tank Oil Trailers (MTO), Service & Lube Trailers (SLT), Double Wall Trailers (DW), Split-Tank Trailers (STT), and DEF Tank Trailers (DEF). The wiring for the fender clearance lights may have been improperly routed, which could cause the lamps to fail.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and reroute the harness as necessary, and repair any damaged wires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owners may contact LDJ’s customer service at 1-641-620-4034.
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.nhtsa.gov.
SERVICE BULLETIN
TCE-SB100 | August 30, 2021
Recall ID: 21V693
THUNDER CREEK EQUIPMENT
ThunderCreek.com
SERVICE CONTACT
Ryan Baarda
1833 Highway 163 | Pella, IA 50219
P: 866.535.7667 | F: 641.620.8302
Subject: Fender Clearance Lamp Wire Not Routed Properly
Affected Products: FST, MTT, MTO, SLT, DW, STT, DEF units produced from 4/15/2021 to 8/27/2021.
Issue Description: The wires, if incorrectly routed, may rub between the axle and frame, resulting in failure of clearance lights.
Repair if damaged: Splice the damaged coating or pinched wires. Reconnect the wires with butt connectors and seal with a repair sleeve.
Solution: Reroute the wires on the inside of the trailer frame.
DAMAGED WIRE HARNESS REPAIR KIT
Parts included if every joint is damaged and needs repaired:
- (8) 14-16 gage – heat shrink butt connectors
- (4) repair sleeves
- Zip ties
Other tools needed:
- Electrical pliers
- Butane torch
- Floor jack and jack stands
- 5/16” nut setter
PROBLEM
Harness between the axle and the frame
SOLUTION
Harness routed inside the frame and the side of the axle
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT INFORMATION
WARNING
Refer to your trailers Owner’s Manual for more safety information and function of your trailer.
- After repairing the wiring system, ensure all clearance lights are on and functioning BEFORE driving the vehicle.
- Wear proper safety glasses, electrical gloves and remove all jewelry and medal objects when working on the wiring system.
- Never position yourself under the trailer unless it is supported with safety stands. Failing to do so could lead to injury or death.
- Park the trailer of a firm level surface. Movement of the trailer while installing any equipment can lead to injury or death.
- Unplug your harness from the trailers hitch on your vehicle before handling equipment to remove any live circuitry.
- Observe precautions against electrical shock when operating and servicing the system.
1 REMOVE THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE AXLE AND FRAME
Remove the wires between the axle and frame
- Refer to the section “Uncoupling the Trailer” of your trailers Owner’s Manual and follow steps 1-5 for uncoupling instructions.
- Park the trailer on a level surface. Secure the trailer tires with wheel chocks. Insert the wheel chocks on both sides of the tires on the side of the trailer opposite the side of the trailer you will be servicing. Lift your trailer with a jack, and secure with jack stands to allow for access to the harness between the axle and the frame (raise the trailer similar to changing the trailer tire).
- If the wire is correctly routed on the inside of the frame (see solution photos above and photos in section 3), no further action is required, proceed to section 5. If the wire is routed incorrectly on the outside of the frame (see problem photo above), proceed to the next step.
- If damage to the wires or coating has occurred, your wire may look similar to the wires in photo 1.1.
The wires will need repaired if:
- The wire insulation is cracked
- A cut or corrosion has occurred
- The coating is frayed
- The harness has been pinched
- Remove the screw to the fender bullet light cover with a 5/16” nut setter (photo 1.2). Set the screw and cover aside. Disconnect the white bullet light wire from the white wire of the harness, repeat with the black and green wires.
- Locate the wires between the axle and the frame (photo 1.3). Gently pull the harness to guide the wires out from the fender guide and then out from the axle and frame.
- If your wires have any damage, contact Thunder Creek Equipment for the repair kit and refer to section 2 for repair. The damage must be repaired BEFORE rerouting the wires. If there is no damage to your wires, refer to section 3 or 4 for rerouting instructions. Front and rear routing instructions are not similar, make sure you follow the correct instructions bellow.
2 REPAIR DAMAGED WIRES
NOTE: Left and right, front axle routing methods are similar.
- Option 1: Cut the harness in the middle of the damaged area.
- Option 2: Cut the harness on the outside of the damaged area to remove any damaged wires.
- Carefully cut the harness coating with electrical pliers. Peel back the coating to expose 1” of the wires. Use the electrical pliers to strip ¼” of the insulation off the white wire. Twist the wire end so the wires inside the insulation are conjoined. Repeat with the green wire, complete this step with both wire harness ends that were cut (photo 2.2).
- Insert 1 repair sleeve, provided in the kit, onto the wire harness BEFORE connecting the wires to the butt connectors (photo 2.2).
- Fully insert the white wire into 1 butt connector. Firmly crimp the butt connector with electrical pliers to secure the white wire inside the connector. Repeat with the green wire using a second butt connector (photo 2.3).
- Repeat this step with the other side of the wire harness that was cut. Insert the wires into the connectors: White & White | Green & Green. Firmly crimp the butt connectors with electrical pliers to secure the wires inside the connectors. Before torching the connectors, plug your trailer into your vehicle and test the lights. If the lights work, carefully torch the plastic ends of the butt connectors to further secure the wires inside the butt connectors (photo 2.3).
- Slide the repair sleeve over the connectors, covering any exposed wires. Make sure the sleeve connects the braided harness. Carefully torch the repair sleeve so it firmly covers the exposed wires and butt connectors (photo 2.4).
3 REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS | FRONT AXLES
NOTE: Left and right, front axle routing methods are similar.
- Route the wires above the axle on the inside of the frame. Guide the harness through the bottom cut out in the cross channel (photo 3.1).
- Guide the wires around the outside of the axle bracket and up into the fender guide (photo 3.2). Carefully insert the wires through the fender guide until they reach the bullet light wire harness (photo 3.3). The bullet light harness is the harness disconnected after the fender cover plate was removed (if more wire is needed, remove the zip ties along the trailer frame to loosen the extra harness wire).
- Attach the wire harness to the bullet light wires. Plug the white wire from the harness into the white bullet light wire. Repeat with the green and black wires. Before securing the harness to the frame, insert the electrical connector into your vehicle and test the lights. Make sure the harness is NOT loosely hanging in the fender cover or around the frame (photo 3.4). Secure the harness with zip ties as needed to prevent the extra wire harness from hanging or moving around.
- Attach the fender cover plate to the bottom of the fender. Insert the pointed end of the fender cover on the inside of the fender tab. Line up the cover plate cut out, with the fender cut out and insert the screw. Tighten with a 5/16” nut setter (photo 3.5).
After repairing the wiring system, ensure all clearance lights are on and functioning BEFORE driving the vehicle.
4 REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS | REAR AXLES
NOTE: Left and right, rear axle routing methods are similar.
- Route the wires around the bottom of the trailer frame, behind the axle. If your trailer has a hole cut out, guide the wires through the hole in the same location (photo 4.1 & 4.2).
- Insert the wires into the fender guide located on the outside of the frame (photo 4.2).
- Carefully insert the wires through the fender guide until they reach the bullet light wire harness (photo 4.2 & 4.3). The bullet light harness is the harness disconnected after the fender cover plate was removed (if more wire is needed, remove the zip ties along the trailer frame to loosen the extra harness wire).
- Attach the wire harness to the bullet light wires. Plug the white wire from the harness into the white bullet light wire. Repeat with the green and black wires. Before securing the harness to the frame, insert the electrical connector into your vehicle and test the lights. Make sure the harness is NOT loosely hanging in the fender cover or around the frame (photo 4.3). Secure the harness with zip ties as needed to prevent the extra wire harness from hanging or moving around.
- Attach the fender cover plate to the bottom of the fender. Insert the pointed end of the fender cover on the inside of the fender tab. Line up the cover plate cut out, with the fender cut out and insert the screw. Tighten with a 5/16” nut setter (photo 4.4).
After repairing the wiring system, ensure all clearance lights are on and functioning BEFORE driving the vehicle.
5 REIMBURSEMENTS
You must submit a photo of the wire harness routed between the axle and frame and the corrective wiring to [email protected], along with your trailers VIN number for payment reimbursement of 1 hour/trailer. Contact Ryan Baarda whose contact information can be found at the beginning of this document for more questions.
THUNDER CREEK EQUIPMENT | 866.535.7667
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. has decided a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety in certain trailers purchased from April 15, 2021 to August 27, 2021.
What is the concern?
The defect, which is detailed below, may cause the trailer’s clearance lamps to fail during transport and if repairs are not made this could cause a serious accident. LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. recommends that owners not operate the trailer when lights are needed until the necessary repair has been performed.
A vehicle manufacturing concern has been identified with the trailer clearance lamp wiring which could cause the trailer clearance lamp wire to pinch. If the wire pinches, it could short out which could cause the clearance lamp lights to fail. If the clearance lamps fail, it could increase the risk of a crash after dark, during rain, or at other times where lights are needed.
What will LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. and an authorized LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. service representative do?
LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. is carrying out a recall on the vehicles mentioned above. An authorized LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. service representative will inspect fender clearance lamp wires to ensure the wire is properly routed on the inside of the trailer. If the wire is routed on the outside of the trailer frame but has not pinched or been damaged, the wire will be rerouted inside the trailer frame. If the wire is routed on the outside of the trailer frame and has been pinched or damaged, the representative will splice the wire, reconnect the wire with butt connectors, the wire covering and wire loom will be heat shrunk, and the wire will be rerouted inside the trailer frame. There will be no charge for this repair under this program.
What should you do?
LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. will remedy the issue without charge to the owner of the vehicle. To have your vehicle repaired, contact Ryan Baarda whose contact information can be found below. Inform Ryan that you received a copy of this notice and provide your vehicle identification number (VIN). Ryan will assist you in locating an authorized LDJ Manufacturing service representative who can complete the work required under this recall. He will also provide a service bulletin to this representative instructing them how to complete the recall remedy and parts necessary to complete the recall remedy.
How long will it take?
Repairs for impacted trailers are available once the service representative has received the parts needed to make the repairs. The reimbursement rate for service providers will be 1.0 hour per trailer. All reimbursement expenses will be covered by LDJ Manufacturing, Inc.
What if you have already paid to have repairs completed at another location?
If you have paid to have your trailer repaired prior to receiving this letter, you may be eligible for reimbursement through LDJ Manufacturing, Inc.’s program for reimbursing pre-notification remedies for repairs related to this issue. For more information on how you can be reimbursed for repairs you have paid out to remedy these matters, please contact Ryan Baarda. Prior repairs will be reimbursed for up to 1.0 hour per trailer to have the service work completed.
7 Affected Products
Vehicles
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
| THUNDER CREEK | DEF | 2021 |
| THUNDER CREEK | DW | 2021 |
| THUNDER CREEK | FST | 2021 |
| THUNDER CREEK | MTO | 2021 |
| THUNDER CREEK | MTT | 2021 |
| THUNDER CREEK | SLT | 2021 |
| THUNDER CREEK | STT | 2021 |
7 Associated Documents
Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1
RCLRPT-21V693-6207.PDF 214.857KB
Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
RCONL-21V693-2857.pdf 196.771KB
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-21V693-1795.pdf 646.102KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-21V693-5621.PDF 214.815KB
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-3
RCLQRT-21V693-2651.PDF 211.118KB
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-4
RCLQRT-21V693-1637.PDF 211.216KB
Remedy Instructions and TSB
RCRIT-21V693-0293.pdf 1097.742KB
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SEOCONTENT-START
1 This notice applies to your vehicle 56ZL1UG If you have resold the vehicle, please provide the contact information of the purchaser to whose contact information can be found below. Safety Recall: Fender Clearance Lamp Wiring Defect Vehicles Affected: FST, MTT, MTO, SLT, DW, STT, DEF units produced from April 15, 2021 to August 27, 2021 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recall Number: 21V693 Dear Thunder Creek Trailer Owner, This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. has decided a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety in certain trailers purchased from April 15, 2021 to August 27, 2021. What is the concern? The defect, which is detailed below, may cause the trailer’s clearance lamps to fail during transport and if repairs are not made this could cause a serious accident. LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. recommends that owners not operate the trailer when lights are needed until the necessary repair has been performed. A vehicle manufacturing concern has been identified with the trailer clearance lamp wiring which could cause the trailer clearance lamp wire to pinch. If the wire pinches, it could short out which could cause the clearance lamp lights to fail. If the clearance lamps fail, it could increase the risk of a crash after dark, during rain, or at other times where lights are needed. What will LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. and an authorized LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. service representative do? LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. is carrying out a recall on the vehicles mentioned above. An authorized LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. service representative will inspect fender clearance lamp wires to ensure the wire is properly routed on the inside of the trailer. If the wire is routed on the outside of the trailer frame but has not pinched or been damaged, the wire will be rerouted inside the trailer frame. If the wire is routed on the outside of the trailer frame and has been pinched or damaged, the representative will splice the wire, reconnect the wire with butt connectors, the wire covering and wire loom will be heat shrunk, and the wire will be rerouted inside the trailer frame. There will be no charge for this repair under this program. 2 What should you do? LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. will remedy the issue without charge to the owner of the vehicle. To have your vehicle repaired, contact Ryan Baarda whose contact information can be found below. Inform Ryan that you received a copy of this notice and provide your vehicle identification number (VIN). Ryan will assist you in locating an authorized LDJ Manufacturing service representative who can complete the work required under this recall. He will also provide a service bulletin to this representative instructing them how to complete the recall remedy and parts necessary to complete the recall remedy. How long will it take? Repairs for impacted trailers are available once the service representative has received the parts needed to make the repairs. The reimbursement rate for service providers will be 1.0 hour per trailer. All reimbursement expenses will be covered by LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. What if you have already paid to have repairs completed at another location? If you have paid to have your trailer repaired prior to receiving this letter, you may be eligible for reimbursement through LDJ Manufacturing, Inc.’s program for reimbursing pre-notification remedies for repairs related to this issue. For more information on how you can be reimbursed for repairs you have paid out to remedy these matters, please contact Ryan Baarda. Prior repairs will be reimbursed for up to 1.0 hour per trailer to have the service work completed. Attention leasing agencies: If you are the owner of a trailer leasing the trailer to another individual, federal regulations require that any vehicle lessor receiving this notice must forward a copy of the Owner Letter to the vehicle lessee within ten days. What should you do if you have further questions? If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Customer Product Support and Quality Manager Ryan Baarda at: 866.535.7667 toll-free or 641.620.4037 direct, or email [email protected]. If you need to contact LDJ by mail, please use the following address: LDJ Manufacturing, Inc. ATTN: Ryan Baarda 1833 IA-163 Pella, IA 50219 If after having attempted to take advantage of this recall, you believe you have not been able to have your vehicle remedied without charge and within a reasonable amount of time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C., 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. 3 Sincerely, Ryan Baarda Product Support & Quality Manager
SEOCONTENT-END