2019 Fleetwood Discovery

The contact owns a 2019 Fleetwood Discovery. The contact stated that while doing a post-inspection on the RV, he noticed that the passenger’s side rear tire was flat. The passenger side rear tire valve stem extension rubbed on the wheel rim, causing loss of tire pressure. The failure was a recurring failure even after the dealer performed a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V529000 (Tires). The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that multiple failures after the recall repair were not experienced before. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,150.

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 40E AT 70 MPH IN OUR 2019 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY 38N, THE WHIRLPOOL 19 CUBIC FOOT, 200 POUND REFRIGERATOR BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED 3/4 PERFORATED RESTRAINING STRAPS AND SLID OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR COMPARTMENT. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED SEVERE PANIC TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHO TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION TO AVOID ANY FURTHER DAMAGE AND VEHICLE ACCIDENT. PASSENGER HAD TO RESTRAIN REFRIGERATOR WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING AND UNTIL WE MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP. THE SEPARATION OF THIS APPLIANCE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRIM AND ATTACHED FOOD PANTRY CABINET. NOTE: ACCORDING TO THE GRAINGER WEBSITE, THE 24 GAUGE SUPPORT STRAP SPECIFICATION SHEET, SIMILAR TO THE STRAPS USED BY FLEETWOOD TO SUPPORT THE REFRIGERATOR ONLY HAVE A 10# MAX LOAD. THESE PERFORATED STRAPS ARE MADE FOR HANGING PIPE, NOT FOR SUPPORTING A 200 POUND REFRIGERATOR WITH VARIOUS DIRECTIONAL FORCES . *DT *JB