The problem
Certain boat trailers utilize a "swing-tongue" assembly, in which the tongue of the trailer swings on a pivot to allow the trailer to be stored in a smaller area. A flat washer was omittied or the flat washer can fail, causing the pivot bolt assembly to fall through the swing tongue assembly.
The risk
If the pivot bolt assembly fails, the tongue is likely to swing open and collapse. If this occurs while the trailer is underway, this could result in a crash without prior warning.
The fix
Owners will be provided with a hardware kit and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can perform the installation for them. The repair involves replacing the front hinge pin with a replacement hinge pin hardware kit free of charge. The recall began on may 15, 2007. Owners may contact ez loader at 800-553-7855.
Contacts
Customers may 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 EZ Loader dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 07V187000.
- 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.