The problem
On certain combination steel/aluminum flatbed, dropdeck, and aluminum flatbed trailers equipped with mounted toolboxes, each toolbox is attached to the trailer with a mounting system that includes two aluminum brackets which may have developed fatigue cracks along the bend radius lines. Small cracks may further develop based on trailer usage. The bracket may break causing the toolbox to separate from the trailer.
The risk
If the toolbox separates from the trailer while the trailer is in motion, vehicles on the road are at risk of collision with the toolbox and its contents.
The fix
Owners of affected trailers will need to find a certified welder to have the remedy performed. Reinke is providing the aluminum gussets along with detailed instructions for the welder. If owners of affected trailers are not able to locate a certified welder, reinke will assist in locating one. The recall began on august 1, 2005. Owners may contact reinke at 1-877-762-1001.
Contacts
Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236; (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Reinke dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 05V332000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.