Four Winds Dutchmen Express problems & recalls

Problem: Four winds is recalling 104 my 2008-2009 dutchmen express, chateau sport, and four winds 5000 motor homes. these motor homes may have improper routing of the propane gas line within the slide-out room.

Risk: Continued operation of the slide-room may result in a rupture of this propane supply line potentially causing a gas leak, fir or explosion resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Four winds will instruct owners to immediately turn off the propane supply valve, suspend use of propane appliances, and take the motor home to their nearest four winds dealer or service center for repair. dealers will reconfigure the propane supply line to allow proper movement of the line without binding or chafing. the recall began on may 18, 2008. owners may contact four winds at 1-574-266-

Problem: Certain motor homes built on ford e-450 chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, 'tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars.' the tire pressure is incorrectly listed on the label for the rear tires.

Risk: At the incorrectly stated pressure, the rear tires are unable to support the gross axle weight rating (gawr) for the rear axle.

Fix: Owners and dealers will be mailed supplementary tire labels containing the correct rear tire inflation information. owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or four winds at 1-574-266-1111.

Problem: On certain class b and class c motor homes, the spare wheels contain an incorrect offset. the center of the wheel was welded in the wrong position.

Risk: The wheel may rub against the brake caliper which could result in a brake failure increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: The spare wheels will be replaced free of charge. the recall beagn on may 13, 2005. owners may contact four winds at 1-574-266-1111.

Problem: Certain motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, 'hydraulic and electric brake systems,' and no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." some of these motorhomes were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.

Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.

Fix: Gm is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. owners should contact gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or four winds at 937-295-2983.

Problem: On motor homes built on ford e-series chassis , a diode in the anti-lock braking system (abs) module may experience an electrical short.

Risk: The electrical short may cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. this condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.

Fix: Ford motor company is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. dealers will install a new fuse in the abs circuit and install a heat shield over the abs module. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or four winds at 937-295-2983.

Problem: On motor homes built on ford e-series chassis, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. this change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.

Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.

Fix: Ford is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or four winds at 937-295-2983.

Problem: Certain motorhomes were manufactured with generators that could receive excess fuel supply pressure when the chassis engine is in operation.

Risk: This could result in rough generator engine operation due to flooding and potential gasoline leakage which could result in a fire causing death or injury to the occupants.

Fix: Dealers will mount a regulator bracket and reroute the fuel line to the back side of the generator. the recall began april 5, 2004. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact four winds at 1-574-266-1111.

Problem: On certain travel trailers equipped with samsung microwave ovens, these ovens were produced with a defective panel. an electrical short can occur between circuit patterns on the membrane panel, especially overlapped by a "jumper" or jump wire. this may cause the oven to activate without pressing any key pads.

Risk: An electrical short can occur causing the oven to activate without pressing any key pads. this could result in excessive heat, smoke, or possibly a fire.

Fix: Samsung will notify customers and repair the panel free of charge. in the meantime, consumers should unplug their microwave, if possible. if the consumer is unable to unplug the microwave, they should leave the door ajar until the panel is replaced. consumers should never use the microwave oven for storage or leave any towels, paper, cloth or other products in the microwave after use. owners w