NHTSA recall 11V289000
Trailer hitches › Fifth wheel assembly
Freightliner Business Class M2 106V and 2 more
The defect
Dtna IS recalling certain model year 2011 business class M2, and coronado, model year 2011-2012 cascadia vehicles equipped with fontaine ultra LT fifth wheels and manufactured from april 7, 2010, through march 7, 2011. During the coupling process on vehicles equipped with pre-modification fontaine ultra LT fifth wheels, it IS possible for the driver to partially close the fifth wheel lock, and if relying on a tug test (pull test), and not performing the required visual inspection, think that the fifth wheel lock IS properly coupled to the trailer king pin, when in fact, it IS not.
The risk
If the tractor IS not fully connected to the trailer, the trailer may disengage while in use, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Fontaine notified owners in february 2011, and IS handling the remedy for this campaign. fontaine IS in the process of retrofitting all affected vehicles, free of charge. owners may contact fontaine at 1-800-874-9780 or dtna at 1-800-547-0712.