Introduction November 2019

     My "RV Recalls That Might Affect Trailers We Are Looking At" Webpage started after ordering our 2019 Subaru Ascent, with Premium trim and the towing receiver hitch installed, in August of 2018.

     I continued to research possible travel trailers that could be "reasonably" and safely pulled by the Ascent with its maximum 5000 lb. towing capacity and maximum 500 lb. tongue weight. I shared my findings, online, through May 16 of 2019, the date that we purchased our Coachmen Apex Nano 187RB from Haylett RV in Coldwater, MI.

This is a link to a LONG YouTube video with a lot of information, in minute detail, about OUR Apex Nano 187RB.

This is a link a Webpage that compliments and extends the information in the video. The page contains much, much information, including more problems and fixes, regarding OUR Apex Nano 187RB.

     Learning what "reasonably" and safely actual meant was completed by investigating what "experts" had to say online about this topic. The information garnered during the investigation played a large part in our final decision. On this page, and its linked pages, I shared my findings.

     The Webpages were frequently updated online when new information was found or modified.

     We also had to determine if this was something that we really wanted to do once again.

     During the thought and research period, I joined the Ascent Forums. I became very active in the Towing Forum using the user name of Ken Myers.

     The members of the Towing Forum were exceptionally helpful and welcoming. I shared my thoughts with them and they, in return, provided a lot of useful information about towing with the Subaru Ascent.

     At the beginning of November, 2019, I created a Webpage titled, "Subaru Ascent Real World Towing Examples". That page contains all of the trailers that have been reported as being towed by a Subaru Ascent on the Ascent Forums. Most of that information was originally posted to the Towing Forum. ALL TYPES of trailers are listed on that Webpage, not just travel trailers.

     The "Subaru Ascent Real World Towing Examples" page is a good place to start to get an idea of the type of trailers that the Ascent is actually reported as towing.

     The information found on all of my Webpages is also useful for people with tow packages on the Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer and other vehicles with tow packages and that are rated with a 5000 lb. towing capacity and 500 lb. tongue weight.

     The information on this page was left as is, so that anyone wanting more detailed information could still find it. It is also interesting to note that there are a few broken links, and yet the links were created only one year ago or less. That demonstrates how transient the information found on the World Wide Web actually is.

     The original, last updated, Webpage follows as an archival document.

Forest River recalls are found at https://dealers.forestriverinc.com/Recalls/. The Brands Effected link is not accessible, but he Document Link PDFs are. (Note: it should be Affected not Effected.) The document PDF includes the letter to the dealer, which describes the defect and its remedy and what the dealer is to do. It also includes the letter to the registered owner and what the owner is to do.

I can't find a Gulf Stream recall page provided by Gulf Stream but could find them with Google.

Keystone recalls are found at https://www.keystonerv.com/owners/recalls/.

I can't find a Jayco recall page provided by Gulf Stream but could find them with Google.

I can't find a Winnebago recall page provided by Gulf Stream but could find them with Google.

I can't find a KZRV/Venture RV recall page provided by Gulf Stream but could find them with Google.

A Website, http://www.arfc.org/ list RV recalls using the RV tab at the top of the page.

These recalls only go back through January of 2018

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Cascade and Cherokee recreational trailers. The trailer wiring may have been improperly routed, allowing the wires to be pinched between the chassis and the vehicle body. Pinched wires may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Forest River’s number for this recall is 64-0456.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Cherokee recreational trailers. The amber side marker lights are not located as far to the front as feasible on the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicles may also be missing the intermediate side reflex reflectors located at, or near, the midpoint of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.” If the marker lights are in the wrong location or if the reflectors are missing, it can reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Forest River’s number for this recall is 75-0613.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Palomino PaloMini recreational trailers. The mounting bracket for the single liquid propane (LP) bottle may break allowing the LP bottle to detach from the vehicle. If the LP bottle detaches from the vehicle, there is an increased risk of injury or crash. Forest River’s number for this recall is 400-0612.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff, and Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers, and 2017-2018 Palomino and XLR ToyHauler and Coachmen Viking recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The laminated plastic touch pad on the jack may crack or separate allowing water to enter, potentially causing the jack to operate unintentionally. If the tongue jack retracts or extends unexpectedly, there could be an increased risk of a crash or injury. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-0610.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Viking recreational trailers, models T17BHS and T17FQS. The Federal Placard states that the tires have an inflation pressure of 65 PSI, when the tires actually require 75 PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.” The incorrect Placard could cause the operator to underinflate the tires, possibly causing tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Forest River’s number for this recall is 121-0734.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forest River Prime Time recreational trailers. The Federal Placard incorrectly states that the tire pressure should be 65PSI when the correct tire pressure is 80PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.” The incorrect tire information may cause the operator to underinflate the tire, leading to premature tire wear and increasing the risk of a crash. Forest River’s number for this recall is 48-0756.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Prime Time recreational trailers. The stove is not isolated from the furnace return air, which potentially causes an inverted flame on the cooktop. The inverted stove top flame can cause the propane supply line to fail, increasing the risk of injury. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a panel to separate the stove top from the furnace return air feed, free of charge. Forest River’s number for this recall is 48-0755.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may have been improperly wired such that it is not connected to a constant power source, thereby possibly preventing the trailer brakes from automatically applying if the trailer were to separate from the tow vehicle. If the trailer does not brake when it becomes detached from the tow vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness, free of charge. Forest River’s number for this recall is 69-0764.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. These vehicles are equipped with an axle equalizer that can allow the axle to contact the chassis. If the axle contacts the chassis, it could result in axle failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the axle equalizer kit with a taller equalizer kit, free of charge. Forest River’s number for this recall is 72-0753.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forest River Wildwood, and 2016-2019 Forest River Salem recreational trailers. The outside auxiliary shower faucet cover may cover the water heater exhaust panel when opened. The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury. Forest River’s number for this recall is 44-0762.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Forest River Rockwood and Flagstaff trailers. The inner wheel bearings may seize, which can cause the trailer wheels to lock up. If a wheel locks up, there would be an increased risk of a crash. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inner wheel bearings, free of charge. Forest River’s number for this recall is 10-0786.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup recreational trailers, models CKTR15SW-D, CKTR16BHS-D, CKTR16FQ-D, CKTR18RJB-D and CKTR18TO-D. These trailers have single propane bottle brackets with two mounting legs that may break at the mounting point. If the LP bottle ring bracket breaks, the propane cylinder may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LP bottle ring bracket, free of charge. Forest River’s number for this recall is 17D-0805.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle. If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. Forest River’s number for this recall is 22/30-0824.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Catalina and Apex travel trailers and Forest River Shasta, Wildwood, Salem, Vibe, Sierra, Sandpiper, XLR and Prime Time travel trailers. The axles may be missing inner bearing races on the hubs, which can cause the bearing to burn out or cause the hub to overheat. The missing bearing race may cause premature hub bearing failure, possibly resulting in a separation of the hub from the axle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-0851.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Flagstaff and Rockwood recreational trailers. The brake mounting flanges on the torsion axles may be incorrectly oriented, which can result in premature brake failure. Premature brake failure can increase the risk of a crash. Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the axles or hubs, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-2640 or Dexter customer service at 1-574-295-7888.

Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2019 Jayco Jay Flight travel trailers. The turn signal and brake lights were wired incorrectly causing the lights to work intermittently, preventing other drivers from knowing the intentions of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.” If the rear turn signals and brake lights do not operate as intended, other drivers will not be properly notified of stopping or turning, increasing the risk of a crash. Jayco has notified owners, and dealers will correctly wire the rear turn signals and brake lights to the 7-way trailer cord, free of charge. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9901408.

Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2019 Jayco White Hawk, Jay Flight, and Jay Flight SLX travel trailers. The axles may be missing inner bearing races on the hubs, which can cause the bearing to burn out or cause the hub to overheat. The missing bearing race may cause premature hub bearing failure, possibly resulting in a separation of the hub from the axle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9901410.

KZRV, LP (KZRV) is recalling certain 2017-2019 KZRV Sonic 190VRB travel trailers. The liquid propane (LP) manifold may be located close to the axle tube, which can result in damage to the manifold, causing a leak. A damaged and leaking LP manifold can increase the risk of a fire. KZRV will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the LP manifold, free of charge. KZRV’s number for this recall is KZ-2018-09.

Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. (Gulf Stream) is recalling certain 2019 Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser recreational trailers. The inner hub bearings may not have been sufficiently greased, which can cause the bearings to overheat and fail. If the bearings overheat, the hub may fail, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash. Gulf Stream will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the hubs and bearings, as necessary, free of charge. Gulf Stream’s number for this recall is GS03122018.

Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2019 Jayco White Hawk, Jay Flight SLX, and Jay Feather travel trailers. The inner wheel hub bearings may not have been sufficiently greased, which can cause the bearings to overheat and fail. If the bearings overheat, the hub may fail, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash. Jayco will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the hubs and bearings, as necessary, free of charge. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9901422.

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2019 Keystone Cougar, Outback, Passport, Springdale, Bullet and Hideout recreational trailers and 2019 Dutchmen Aerolite and Atlas recreational trailers. The inner hub bearings of the axles may not have been sufficiently greased, which can cause the bearings to overheat and fail. If the bearings overheat, the hub may fail, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash. Keystone’s number for this recall is 18-340.