NHTSA recall 81V099000
Trailer hitches
Freightliner Freightliner
Reported Aug 25, 198170 vehicles affectedFREIGHTLINER CORP.Built Sep 1, 1979 – May 1, 1981
The defect
The safety chain bale portion of the towing attachment may have a defective weld in a critical area. If the trailer hitch should become unlatched or in the event of an accident causing the truck and trailer to become separated, the resulting forces could cause a failure of the safety chain bale. A failure of this part would allow complete separation of the truck and trailer without prior warning.
The remedy
Upon separation, the trailer would travel out of control until the emergency braking system could bring it to a stop. A vehicle accident could result. Corrective action: the safety chain bale will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced with a new one.