| Issue ID | 1286078 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10871054 |
| Manufacurer | Forest River, Inc. |
| Brand | FOREST RIVER |
| Model | ROCKWOOD |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| File date | 24/03/14 |
| Component | WHEELS |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | We were on the highway in northern kentucky when a motorist brought to our attention that he saw the grease cap blow off and there was smoke was coming from the right front wheel of the 5th wheel. Upon inspection the mechanic determined that the hub bearing overheated and lost all the grease in the bearing. Upon further inspection the spindle was damaged beyond repair. Replacement of axle was needed. This axle was not available and would have to be manufactured by the company in indiana that made the original axle. The part had to be shipped from indiana to the repair center in kentucky where the 5th wheel was waiting to be repaired. Safety is the key issue for our family and for that of other motorist. We did not drive the 5th wheel any further nor did we have assurance in the remaining, original axles, manufactured by al-ko, that were still on the vehicle. Having the same manufacturer (al-ko) replace the broken axle did not make us feel safe. On april 2 we were sent a return form to have the 5th wheel unit picked up in kentucky and taken to the forest river facility in indiana for repair. The part was being shipped from al-ko to the quality auto care, in kentucky, in order for them to install the axle so the 5th wheel could be moved to in. The unit was then moved to indiana to have final repairs as needed. Repairs were completed in indiana and we were notified on april 29, 2014 that the unit was being delivered to us in kansas. We have been inconvenienced and put at great risk towing this unit. We are skeptical that a new axle was installed or repaired by forest river since we had an additional axle failure in 2015. This is incident #3 of 5 we will be posting. Serial#: rl1844723 unit model#: 8289ws |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 2000 |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | OLATHE, KS |
| VIN pattern | 4X4FRLE20C1XXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 65 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |