Safety Chains Are Underrated For GVWR

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Brinkley RV (Brinkley) is recalling certain 2025 Model Z travel trailers. The installed safety chains are underrated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Risk / consequence

Underrated chains can break, allowing the trailer to detach from the tow vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the safety chains, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 8, 2024. Owners may contact Brinkley customer service at 1-574-501-4280. Brinkley's number for this recall is REC-2403.

Chronology of events

1. Sep 20, 2024

   On 9/20/24, the Brinkley RV Operations team communicated a concern to the Product Safety team that a recent GVWR change (increase) in the suspect models was made, and the corresponding upgrade in safety chains was inadvertently omitted. The shipping yard was put on hold and units were addressed (underrated safety chains were replaced with properly rated chains by the chassis supplier). On 9/25/24, the Brinkley RV Safety Committee met to discuss this issue and voted to issue a Recall to address affected units that had shipped prior to identification of the issue. There were no warranty claims, field/service reports, or any other issues such as death/injury reports related to this issue.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

OCT 02, 2024 - OCT 09, 2024

Owner notification

OCT 08, 2024 - OCT 29, 2024