Coupler Improperly Welded – 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16′, 18′ & 20′ Trailers

May 20, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V366000

Coupler Improperly Welded

Trailer separation from a tow vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V366

Manufacturer Joe’s Trailer Mfg.

Components TRAILER HITCHES, EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 20

 

Summary

Joe’s Trailer Mfg. (Joe’s) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16′, 18′ and 20′ trailers. The coupler was improperly welded, which may cause the trailer to separate from the tow vehicle.

 

Remedy

Joe’s will inspect and replace the coupler as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed in July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Joe’s customer service at 1-734-261-0050.

 

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.

 


Joe’s Trailer Mfg. has decided that a defect, which relates to recreational vehicle/Trailer safety, may exist in some 2021 and 2022 16’,18’, and 20’ Tandem Trailer/vehicles.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD

Joe’s Trailer has determined that they may have received some couplers that may have been manufactured to specification. A batch of incomplete welded couplers were mixed with completed weld couplers at the manufacturer. This could cause the trailer to separate from the tow vehicle without prior warning, leading to a potential crash.

 

REPAIRS

To correct this condition, Joe’s Trailer will replace the coupler at no cost to you.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

You should immediately contact Joe’s Trailer to determine if your coupler was manufactured out of specification. If you prefer not to operate your trailer until repairs are made, please contact Joe’s Trailer to make arrangements to have your trailer towed to a repair shop at no cost to you.

There are several important precautions you should take until this repair has been performed. The welds in question are on the bottom side of the coupler, and holds the bracket towards the trailer side in place for proper ball placement and securement. A coupler welded out of specification will only have a few small “tack” welds holding the bracket on, not a complete weld (approximately 1” long on both sides of the bracket)

 

HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?

The actual time to replace your vehicle/trailer coupler is 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle/trailer for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow for flexibility in scheduling. Please present this letter to Joe’s Trailer at the time this repair is performed.

 

IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSITANCE:

If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 734‐261‐0050
Mondays and Thursdays – 8:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 8:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
Saturdays – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm ET
Mailing Address: 13374 Farmington Rd. Livonia, MI 48150

 


Chronology :

We were contacted by our supplier of a possible defect on the coupler. We cross checked our Purchase orders and found that we had received 10 during the 8/6/2021-10/25/21 dates provided in their 573. Our inventory levels automatically reorder at a minimum inventory level of 5. To cover for any potential mix up of new/old inventory, we are recalling 20 trailers to cover all potentially affected trailers. We did have two units that were sold as replacement parts, which we will be contacting our customer to reach out to their customer they may have installed the part on. We strictly manufacture for ourselves, so we do not have any dealers that we sell to.

 


22E003 – Coupler Improperly Welded – Pacific Trailer RAM A Frame 2 5/16″ Couplers

 

http://oemdtc.com/7220/22e003-coupler-improperly-welded-pacific-trailer-ram-a-frame-2-5-16-couplers

 


6 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
GREAT LAKESTANDEM 16′2021-2022
GREAT LAKESTANDEM 18′2021-2022
GREAT LAKESTANDEM 20′2021-2022

 


4 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V366-5648.pdf 646.423KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V366-6546.PDF 215.261KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2022-3

RCLQRT-22V366-9185.PDF 211.113KB

 


Issued Owner Notification Letter

RCONL-22V366-7311.pdf 125.646KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

 


 

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