Bulldog coupler recall for some LE2s

[Steph and Dud B]

Looks like this is related to the earlier report of a mislabeled Bulldog coupler failing: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V322000

Good that OTT is following through with this.

[routlaw]

I just received this in the mail a couple of days ago. Went out to check our Oliver bought in 2015 and as it turns out has aa 7000 lb rating not the 5000 lb. After 9 years of use looks like we were ok anyway.

[Geronimo John]

If it is a recall, I wonder why it is not posted here:

GJ

[Geronimo John]

More info here:  https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V322000

Then download additional documents at bottom.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V322-5775.PDF

GJ

[Geronimo John]

This response to inspection was included in the recall notice info.

Would be helpful if we could just E-mail them to OTT.  But sadly, the Government does not generally accept E-mails as legal documents.

GJ

 

Edited May 27 by Geronimo John

[Steph and Dud B]

"Potential Number of Units Affected 1,304" So, are they recalling all LE2s for inspection?

[rich.dev]

5 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

 

"Potential Number of Units Affected 1,304" So, are they recalling all LE2s for inspection?

 

Maybe all the LE2s with 2” bulldog couplers, we have the 2 5/16” bulldog coupler. 

[Patriot]

1 hour ago, Steph and Dud B said:

"Potential Number of Units Affected 1,304" So, are they recalling all LE2s for inspection?

My understanding is Oliver is simply asking owners to inspect their hitch and make sure they have the proper bulldog hitch. If they don’t, there are 1304 dealers that sell the Bulldog hitch and they can replace the bulldog hitch on an Oliver. 
 

Oliver Travel Trailers, INC. (OTT) is recalling certain 2009-2024 Elite II trailers. The towing coupler may be under rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer. 1,304 Dealers will replace the towing coupler, free of charge.

Edited May 27 by Patriot

[Steph and Dud B]

3 hours ago, Patriot said:

there are 1304 dealers that sell the Bulldog hitch

The 1304 number came from NHTSA site as the "potential number of units affected," not the number of dealers. Since our 2022 is #1150, and some others were delivered with 2 ⁵/¹⁶" couplers, it seems reasonable that 1304 is the number of LE2s manufactured with 2" Bulldog hitches between 2009 and 2024. I suspect(?) they want them all checked. 

The form posted by @Geronimo John seems to indicate they want the hitch inspected by a "service facility."

I know ours is stamped 7000#. Next time I have it in the shop for something else, I'll have them sign the certificate, too. The recall won't matter unless I want to sell it later. 

[Geronimo John]

Their records will reflect who has the 2 5/16 versions.  I just signed it myself as I could use "Russell Engineering" for which I am legit to use.  I don't think those with OTT upgraded ones should be worried that the feds will track you down, it's just to cover OTT that it has been done.

5 hours ago, Patriot said:

Dealers will replace the towing coupler, free of charge.

I wonder if the Bulldog folks are picking up the tab as OTT just ordered the larger ones?

GJ

[Patriot]

3 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Their records will reflect who has the 2 5/16 versions.  I just signed it myself as I could use "Russell Engineering" for which I am legit to use.  I don't think those with OTT upgraded ones should be worried that the feds will track you down, it's just to cover OTT that it has been done.

I wonder if the Bulldog folks are picking up the tab as OTT just ordered the larger ones?

GJ

It appears Oliver is stepping up to address and remedy the repair and covering costs.

Edited May 28 by Patriot

[Steph and Dud B]

This is good. I wonder if OTT will allow us to go to a nearby non-Oliver RV tech if we don't have an OTT dealer nearby? 

[jd1923]

In the 5 pages of recall info OTT sent us, all it states is "Your unit must be inspected..." Everything else is about replacement and reimbursement. 

Manufactures are responsible to communicate recalls. Consumers are not legally bound to reply. I have received over 100 recalls through the year and everybody here has too. I have never replied to Dodge, Ford, Toyota or any other. I will call for a service appointment when service or replacement is required, but if not I merely file the paperwork in my file for that vehicle.

I was about to do the same here, but since @Geronimo John found the NHTSA website and the "Customer Reply Card" I will reply as a courtesy to OTT. OTT will have hundreds that do not reply, for trailers sold, people thinking it's junk mail... The GOV will likely audit OTT later to see they have complied and their records of such responses.

I plan to print the from, write "SELF" as the inspecting BUSINESS, attach the photo I took months ago when this subject came up on our forum, and mail it Attn: Regina OTT - task completed from my point of view.

[jd1923]

Oh and BTW, the NHTSA should have Bulldog Manufacturing run a recall too! They mislabeled a 5000 LB coupler with a 7000 LB label!

Check page 4 of this thread. @Jason Foster asked for a better picture of the label, then I wrote a commentary re wrong labeling, Bulldog being at fault, not OTT. 

 

[rideadeuce]

SAFETY RECALL REPORT

RCLRPT-24V322-5775.PDF

I am glad the recall was done looks like there was a 2nd unit found with incorrect coupler during service in April (See Chronology section). Appreciate Oliver for following through with this but agree with @Geronimo John and @jd1923 it should be posted in Safety/Recalls and it seems like Bulldog MFG should be doing their own recall. Also, it looks like OTT is planning to send out letters to owners by July 17th, 2024 just waiting on approval.

Stay safe, 

Mike

Edited May 28 by rideadeuce

[Jason Foster]

I just hope it gets out there soon enough to prevent someone from having a bad day.

[srthomsen]

We don't have an Elite II but I went out to check on the unit that we have on our 2023 #1403 Elite and found that our trailer is equipped with a 2" ball 7000# coupler. 

[Patriot]

We received the recall notice today, and inspected our 7000# bulldog hitch/coupler. Then completed and mailed the enclosed coupler recall short form to Oliver stating that our bulldog coupler is stamped 7000# and Hull #634 XPLOR is in compliance. Done! ✅

Onward!

[CRM]

Just saw that someone on the Oliver Trailers Owners FB group said their 2019 has a 5k coupler on it. 

[MAX Burner]

3 hours ago, Patriot said:

Then completed and mailed the enclosed coupler recall short form to Oliver stating that our bulldog coupler is stamped 7000#

Same here - indicated inspection was completed by "SELF"....  Mailed, one and done for Hull #226.

[John Dorrer]

5 hours ago, CRM said:

Just saw that someone on the Oliver Trailers Owners FB group said their 2019 has a 5k coupler on it. 

That person didn't clarify whether they had an Elite 1 or 2. Not sure if Oliver was installing 7,000 on Elite 1's also

[CRM]

12 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

That person didn't clarify whether they had an Elite 1 or 2. Not sure if Oliver was installing 7,000 on Elite 1's also

I could be wrong, but I thought someone here said that Oliver only orders 7k hitches to prevent any mix ups. 

[John Dorrer]

17 minutes ago, CRM said:

I could be wrong, but I thought someone here said that Oliver only orders 7k hitches to prevent any mix ups. 

I think you are correct. The thing I really wondered was what the E-1 got before they started building E-2's. That wouldn't affect this.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

We received our recall notice yesterday.   Thankfully, we have the correct hitch. 😊