2008 Heartland Cyclone Recalls & Complaints

Incident: June 23, 2012 · Filed: September 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HEARTLAND CYCLONE TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS LEANING INWARD. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A BROKEN LEAF SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. ..UPDATED 09-28-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS ALSO FAILURES WITH THE FRONT LIFTING JACKS. THE FIRST TIME THEY FAILED, THE WERE REPAIRED. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD, BY BEST RV, THAT THE TRAILER WAS TO HEAVY TO HEAVY FOR THE MOTOR ON THE JACKS. THE JACKS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE AXLES LOOKED AT TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE BLOW OUTS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE AXLES WERE TO LIGHT FOR THE TRAILER AND THE BEARINGS NEED TO BE PACKED. THE BEARINGS WERE PACKED. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON THE JACKS,AXLES, AND LEAF SPRINGS, AFTER A (1)YEAR. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE TRAILER EMPTIED IS OVER THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT. UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS UPDATED 9/26/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM THE MANUFACTURER, STATING THE AXLES DID NOT HANDLE THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT OF WEIGHT HE WAS TOLD, WHEN HE PURCHASED THE TRAILER. THE CONSUMER WAS PROVIDED STICKERS, TO PLACE ON THE TRAILER AS A REMINDER. UPDATED 10/09/12

Incident: August 28, 2008 · Filed: September 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT 2008 HEARTLAND CYCLONE RV EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR MARATHON TIRES, SIZE: ST225/75/15 D. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE CENTER TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES COULD NOT HANDLE THE AXLE WEIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

Incident: July 14, 2009 · Filed: July 10, 2011

2008 CYCLONE TOYHAULER, HEARTLAND. I HAVE HAD UP TO EIGHT BLOW OUTS ON THIS TRAILER DUE TO UNDER RATED TIRES AND AXLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE SIDES OF THE CAMPER REPAIRED ON BOTH SIDES IN 2009. THEN THIS YEAR I HAD TWO BLOW OUT AND NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE SIDE OF CAMPER REPAIRED AGAIN. CAN SOME ONE DO SOMETHING TO HEARTLAND ABOUT THIS? THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

Incident: May 29, 2011 · Filed: May 31, 2011

I HAVE AN 2008 HEARTLAND CYCLONE MODEL 4012 (41 FT LONG) 5TH WHEEL TOYHAULER RV TRAILER. IT CAME WITH 3 AXLES WITH 15" LOAD RANGE "D" TIRES ON IT. EVERYTIME I USE THE TRAILER I HAVE A BLOWOUT SCATTERING TIRE CARCASS AND TRAILER DEBRIS ALL OVER THE ROAD BEHIND ME. IT HAS COST ME TIME AND MONEY EACH TIME AND I AM AFRAID IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. AFTER CONTACTING [XXX] (SERVICE DEPT. AT HEARTLAND) CONCERNING IF A RECALL FOR HEAVIER TIRES AND AXLES HAD BEEN MADE, HE SAID A NEW "STICKER" HAD BEEN ISSUED TO ORIGINAL OWNERS DROPPING THE AXEL RATINGS DOWN. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT BY DOING THIS THEY RECOGNIZE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT INSTEAD OF RECALLING THEIR VEHICLES AND RE-FITTING THEM WITH AXLES AND TIRES APPROPRIATE TO CARRY THE WEIGHT THESE UNITS ARE DESIGNED TO THEY SEND OUT A .25 CENT STICKER AND REDUCE THE WEIGHT CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE UNIT. OVER HALF OF MY BLOW OUTS HAVE BEEN WITH NO CARGO WHAT SO EVER IN THE TOY HAULER AREA. [XXX] ALSO WANTED TO KNOW HOW MUCH WATER I WAS CARRYING ON MY LAST BLOW OUT, IT DOESN'T MATTER, HECK IF YOU CAN'T PUT WATER IN YOUR FRESH WATER HOLDING TANKS THEN WHY PUT THEM ON THE CAMPERS? HE WANTS ME TO TAKE MY TRAILER AND HAVE IT WEIGHED NOW THE WAY IT WAS LOADED DURING MY LAST BLOW OUT, HECK I AM AFRAID I WILL HAVE A BLOW OUT ON THE WAY. I KEEP NEW TIRES ON THIS THING ALSO AND ALSO HAVE UPGRADED TO LOAD RAGE "E" TIRES WHICH HAVEN'T HELPED. THE NEWER MODELS ARE COMING WITH 8 LUG AXLES AND HEAVIER TIRES, HEARTLAND KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO FORCE THEM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE NOT PUT A .25 STICKER ON THE FRAME AND SAY, ITS FIXED!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

Incident: October 1, 2008 · Filed: December 3, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HEARTLAND CYCLONE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOADED TO THE PROPER LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CONTACT HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS IT WAS INTENDED TO. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS LOADED TO CAPACITY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

Incident: September 14, 2010 · Filed: September 19, 2010

LEAVING WYOMING TRAVELING EAST. FOUND LEFT FRONT TIRE FLAT. CHECKED ALL AIR TWO DAYS EARLIER. TIRES WERE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE WHEN CHECKED. LOOKING AT FLAT ALL TREAD LOOKED NEW EXCEPT WHERE TREAD AND SIDEWALL MET. TREAD HAD WORN OFF CAUSING A FLAT. THIS TIRE LOOKED LIKE NEW TWO DAYS EARLIER. TWO WEEKS BEFORE I LEFT ON THIS TRIP I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE ON RIGHT FRONT BECAUSE OF BULGE AT THE SAME LOCATION ON THE TIRE. TREAD DEPTH ON BOTH TIRES WAS WITHIN 2/32S OF NEW. PUT ON SPARE AND HEADED HOME. WITHIN ONE THOUSAND MILES RIGHT CENTER TIRE DELAMINATED AND BLEW TEARING UP THE WHEELWELL OF RV. ALL THREE TIRES WERE AT THE PROPER INFLATION CHECKED COLD. *TR

Incident: June 8, 2010 · Filed: August 8, 2010

FROM JUNE 8, 2010 TO AUG 4, 2010 I HAD 4 TREAD SEPARATIONS RESULTING IN 4 BLOWOUTS. MISSION TIRES. *TR

Incident: April 11, 2007 · Filed: June 22, 2010

APRIL 2007, TIRE BLOWOUT ON NEW 2008 HEARTLAND CYCLONE 5TH WHEEL TRAILER MDL 4012, FORCE OF THE BLOWOUT BENT FRONT AXLE. DISCOVERED AXLE RATING 5200 AND TIRES SIZE 225 75R15 D RATING 65PSI, TIRES INSUFFICIENT FOR WEIGHT OF TRAILER, TRAILER NEEDS E RATED 80PSI TIRES. CONSULTED WITH SAFETY EXPERT FROM RECREATIONAL VEHICLE SAFETY EDUCATION FOUNDATION WHO VERIFIED THE TIRES DID NOT MEET THE STANDARDS OF FEDERAL GUIDELINES AS TO THE WEIGHT IT COULD SUPPORT OF THE AXLES RATED AT 5200LBS. CONFERENCE CALL WITH SAFETY EXPERT AND REPS FROM HEARTLAND WHO ARTICULATED THE SPECS OF THE TRAILER, AND AGAIN THE SAFETY EXPERT COMMUNICATED THE TIRES WERE UNSAFE AND INSUFFICIENT FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER. HEARING WHAT THE EXPERT HAD TO SAY HEARTLAND NOW CHANGED THEIR STORY TO A POSSIBLE TYPO AS TO THE WEIGHT OF THE AXLES THEY SHOULD BE RATED AT 5080 LBS. END RESULT HEARTLAND AGREED TO REPLACE MY TIRES WITH 7 NEW TIRES AND WHEELS WITH A E RATING AND A 80 PSI ELEMENT TO MEET THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AS OUT LINED BY THE SAFETY EXPERT. HEARTLAND SHIPPED THE TIRES THE DEALER PUT THEM ON THE 5TH WHEEL. NOV 23 ,2009 I WAS INFORMED BY A TIRE COMPANY THE VALVE STEMS ON MY TIRES WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THEY WERE FOR A 65 PSI TIRE NOT AN 80 PSI TIRE THAT THEY WERE INSTALLED IN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I FEEL HEARTLAND IS PUSHING THE ENVELOPE PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO CORRECT THE VALVE STEM ISSUE, BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO RECORDS OF EVER SENDING THE REPLACEMENT TIRES OUT. AND NOW I RECEIVED A REGISTERED LETTER WITH A NEW FEDERAL STICKER TO PUT ON MY 5TH WHEEL WITH A NEW AXLE RATING DOWN TO 5080. I TRULY BELIEVE THEY KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES AND INSTEAD OF UPGRADING THE TIRES THEY WORKED THE SYSTEM TO GET A NEW FEDERAL STICKER APPROVED INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE TIRES. I ALSO JUST FOUND OUT THAT SAME COACH HAS BEEN RE-ENGINEERED TO USE 16 IN TIRES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

Incident: July 7, 2007 · Filed: June 16, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HEARTLAND CYCLONE RV. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECURRING FAILURE OF THE TIRES WEARING PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V077000 (EQUIPMENT: OTHER: LABELS). THE CONTACT WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE RECALL REMEDY. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE UNDER THE IMPRESSION IT COULD WITHHOLD A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF WEIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY COULD NOT SEND HIM TIRES TO SUPPORT A HEAVIER WEIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Incident: November 10, 2009 · Filed: January 20, 2010

5TH WHEEL TRAILER GVWR STATED BY MFGR IS 18,000. THE 3 INDIVIDUAL AXLES ARE RATED AT 5200# EACH TOTALING 15,600# MAX.. TIRES ARE GOODYEAR MARATHON ST225/75R15 D-RATED MAX LOAD IS 2540 AT PSI 65 COLD TOTALING 15,240# MAX. UNIT HAS HAD TIRE SEPARATION AND BLOW OUTS. REMAINING TIRES ON UNIT WERE INSPECTED BY GOODYEAR WINGFOOT COMMERCIAL TIRES AND 4 OF 6 ON THE GROUND WERE SUSPECTED OF SUFFERING BELT BREAKDOWN/SEPARATION AFTER LESS THAN 6,000 MILES. INITIAL INCIDENT RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO RV TRAILER IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $2,800. ADDITIONALLY, REPLACING FAILING/SUSPECT TIRES COST $636. AXLES PROVIDE 2,400# AND TIRES 2,760# UNDER THE MANUFACTURES STATED GVWR OF 18,000# . *TR