Safety
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SAFETY

Updated 3-26-08


Dometic Announces 

Refrigerator Recall

 

 

Certain Dometic two-door refrigerators manufactured between June 1, 2003 and September 30,2006.

Models affected include NDR1062, RM2652, RM2662, RM2852, RM2862, RM3662, RM3663, and RM3862.

 

These refrigerators where installed in certain Recreational Vehicles as original equipment and sold as aftermarket equipment.  A fatigue crack may develop in the boiler tube which may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

 

The release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

 

The vehicle manufactures will notify owners of Recreational Vehicles that had the refrigerators installed as original equipment and Dometic will notify owners of the aftermarket refrigerators.  Dometic will install a secondary burner housing free of charge.  

 

To find out if your refrigerator falls within either of the recalls, visit http://www2.dometicusa.com/recall.php and enter the model and 8-digit serial number of your Dometic refrigerator. Owners may contact Dometic at (888) 446-5157.

 

NHSTA Campaign ID: 08E032000

 

Click here to see copy of NHTSA announcement

 


 

Norcold Announces 

Refrigerator Recall 

Extension

 

 

Norcold has recently announced a recall of several models of gas absorption refrigerators.  Affected models include 1200LR, 1200LRIM and 1201LRIM.

 

The following is information from Norcold regarding the recall:


Norcold has voluntarily recalled 1200LR, 1200LRIM and 1201LRIM model gas/electric refrigerators built from 1996 through February of 2001. Affected models have a cooling unit serial number (found on the solution chamber and viewed through the refrigerator vent door outside the RV) from 1008701 and 1273700.

The defect is a potential cooling unit leak caused during AC electric mode operation. If a leak occurs, the refrigerator's cooling performance will deteriorate and a yellow powder residue will be evident at the cooling unit's heating element. Because extended operation of a leaking cooling unit in the AC electric mode may result in a fire, immediate repair.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause, and want to assure that your refrigerator provides you years of safe, reliable and dependable service.

An affected refrigerator without a leak must still be serviced to have its cooling unit repaired to prevent any potential future problem.

Persons owning one of the affected models should:
  • Turn Off the refrigerator. Do not use it until it has been repaired.
  • Contact a Dealer/Service Center to arrange a service date as soon as possible. The cooling unit will be replaced. There is no charge for parts and labor.

For more information you should call Norcold at 1-800-767-9101 for additional important information and to obtain the location of the nearest Norcold Service Center. Information is also available at www.norcold.com (select Customer Support, then Recall Info).

Letters detailing the recall extension will be sent to all Manufacturers, Distributors, Dealers and Service Centers. Owners will be contacted as address information becomes available.  

NHSTA Campaign ID: 08E030000 

Click here to see copy of NHTSA announcement


 

Rear Brake Chamber Air 

Hose Chaffing - Air Line leaks

 

 

Several FCOC members have noticed rear service brake chamber air hoses rubbing and chaffing...a couple of owners actually had an air hose leak ...fortunately they were at a fuel stop and it didn't happen driving down the road.

 

Note, this is not a catastrophic failure...if your air hoses are rubbing and create a leak, there is a good chance in the beginning that the leak will be small and your engine air compressor will 'over power' the leak and your air brakes will continue to work.  This is why a 'walk around' is important, looking and listening for strange happenings.

 

As the leak(s) get bigger, there will come a time when the air compressor can't keep up and you will notice a loss of air pressure in the system. Remember that your front brakes are on a separate air system and will continue to work in this case. As the air losses get bigger, you may notice a reduction in air pressure on your gauges...when the air pressure gets down to ~60-65psi, you will get a low air pressure alarm...a light on the dash and an audible alarm.  That is your queue to find a safe place to get off the road and seek assistance.

 

Remember, your emergency/parking brake is AIR RELEASED & SPRING APPLIED.

 

In the advent of a faster leak...as the air pressure continues to reduce below ~60 - 65psi, the alarm will continue to operate and at ~40-45psi, the rear parking brakes will set. This is also not a catastrophic event as you are only operating 1/2 your brakes (rear).  You will NOT go crashing thru the windshield...you will come to a safe, gradual stop.  At the first sign of an air pressure alarm and reducing air in the system, it is time to find a safe place to pull over and stop.

 

FCCC discovered this problem in Feb. 2006 and issued a Service Bulletin to their dealers in March 2006 (SB 47-15). The bulletin was released to address vehicles built prior to November 4, 2005.

 

If your chassis is built after Nov. 4, 2005, you should be OK. If your chassis was built BEFORE Nov. 4, 2005, you should make a visual inspection to see if you might have a problem...see pics. below.  In my opinion, you should do a visual inspection regardless of mfg. date.

 

Thanks to Bob Harbin, President FCCC for this SB information.

 

Here are some pictures courtesy of George Zaft from his MH showing this situation.

His leak was detected by a neighbor who heard the air leak when George started up his rig.

 

Problem pics

Rear Suspension Air Lines touching

Hoses separated showing abrasion points

Abrasion Points

Click on image for larger view


Current photos of XC-R chassis showing revised production methods.

Fix pics

FCCC XC-R Rear Axle

Rear Brakes and hoses

Closer View

Closeup

Click on image for larger view


 

Check your air hoses...these pics are made from the sides, in front of the rear axle looking towards the rear axle.

 

It is important to note that some leaks were found on hoses that HAD the protective tubing installed, but not the separator TY clamp. The rubbing penetrated the tubing.

 

For additional details, see the FCOC Yahoo Discussion Group - Msg #4214

 

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FCOC/message/4214

 

If you find any hoses touching, check for rubbing and abrasion damage...if you find any damage take your rig to a FTL dealer immediately to get it fixed.

Updated 3-10-08

Posted 2-24-08

 


 

RV Safety  Education Foundation

RV Weight & Safety

  • Q1 - How much air pressure should you put in your tires?

  • Q2 - How much does your coach weigh?

NOTE - You can't answer Q1 unless you know the answer to Q2!

Get your coach weighed - all four corners at the next FMCA convention or FCOC rally

Please Note New Address info for RVSEF

Address and Zip have changed.

Also new email address.

 

RV Safety & Education Foundation

125 E. MERRITT ISLAND Cswy.

Suite 209409

Merritt Island FL 32952

Email: wcannon@rvsafety.com

Updated 3-26-08

Posted 3-05-08

 


 

 

Fire Safety ALERT!

 

 

If you have a newer MH with a refer mounted on a slide-out with 2 side-mounted vent panels. . .check your upper vent panel area for possible interior side wall heat damage from refer vent tube being too close to your wooden wall! This problem may exist independent of MH mfg or refer mfg.

 

CHECK YOUR MH TODAY!

See photos below for an example.

 

Overview - upper refer vent area

Closer look showing heat scorched marks

Close-up of burn damage to wood wall

New heat shield added by MH mfg.

Note air gap between new heat shield and wood wall.

[ Click on pic for larger image ]

Note - These pics came from my '04 MH but based on a dealer/factory survey, this problem did not exist on all models with slide mounted refers.  It only existed on certain floor plan and year models.

If you find ANY HEAT DAMAGE, contact your MH mfg. IMMEDIATELY before you have a fire!

Posted 8-10-07


 

Fire Safety Reminder

7/07

Two MHs burned in Oregon recently. . .

 

While in Oregon recently attending a RV Rally, not one, but TWO motor homes burned in the same week!  One (pictured above) was in a small town, the fire started in the engine compartment.  The fire department was able to get the fire out, but the coach was heavily damaged. Fortunately everyone got out safely...all TEN people!  A family from California with some neighbor's kids along on vacation. Let's see...how many seat belts does one MH have anyway, duh?

 

'05 Safari Panther

7-13-07

 

 

Updated 8-30-07

Posted 8-08-07

 


April '05 - Mountainaire

Click Here to see a video clip showing the danger with MH fires.

Thanks to "Paul" from the Winnebago Owners Yahoo group


What can YOU do to increase your fire safety?  Read on down this page.

Now that you have seen the dangers of a motorhome click here to see how to help protect yourself with upgraded fire extinguishers 

 


911 Emergency Information 

If you had a medical emergency and called 911 on your cell phone...do you know where you are?

In a panic, could you tell the 911 operator your exact location, address and site number?

You need an emergency info form posted in a prominent, easy-to-find location, like on your refrigerator door, etc.

Here is a MS Word.doc with a form you can print out or use as an example to make your own.

Click Here - Word doc    Click Here - PDF


Emergency Contact Information

In addition, you should consider carrying a slip of Emergency Contact info in your wallet or purse while you are traveling in your rig or locally in your car. In case of an accident your drivers license will probably be out of state, but your Emergency Contact info will have family names and phone numbers authorities can contact if needed.

Here is a MS Word.doc with a form you can print out or use as an example to make your own.

Click Here - Word doc    Click Here - PDF