Missing Kingpin Welds May Allow Trailer Separation

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Great Dane Trailers (Great Dane) is recalling certain 2025 Champion Dry Freight trailers. Missing kingpin welds may prevent the upper coupler from securely connecting the trailer.

Risk / consequence

An unsecure connect may allow the trailer to detach from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Great Dane will inspect and replace the upper couplers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may contact Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493.

Chronology of events

1. Nov 18, 2024

   11-18-24 Great Dane received a report from our customer that a trailer was discovered with a loose king pin

2. Nov 19, 2024

   11-19-24 Great Dane Manufacturing begins an internal investigation, and begins building a replacement upper coupler. The coupler is to be replaced and returned to Great Dane R&D for inspection and root cause analysis.

3. Nov 25, 2024

   11-25-24 Great Dane Manufacturing completes their yard inspection of all remaining trailers in this order, during which a second unit with improperly welded king pin is discovered.

4. Nov 27, 2024

   11-27-24 Great Dane R&D receives the coupler returned from the field.

5. Dec 2, 2024

   12-02-24 Great Dane R&D completes their investigation into the returned coupler and determines that welds were missed during the manufacturing process. Trailers that had been reinspected at the manufacturing facility and cleared were released to the customer.

6. Dec 4, 2024

   12-04-24 Great Dane initiates a Field Campaign with the customer to inspect all suspect units and replace couplers on any found to be missing welds.

7. Dec 6, 2024

   12-06-24 Great Dane provides the customer an inspection procedure, and list of suspect VINs.

8. Dec 6, 2024

   12-06-24 Great Dane Engineering determines that this issue is a saftey concern.

9. Dec 9, 2024

   12-09-24 Repairs on the initial trailer are completed and the trailer is returned to the customer

10. Dec 11, 2024

    12-11-24 Great Dane files the initial notice of defect with the NHTSA

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

FEB 07, 2025 - FEB 07, 2025

Owner notification

FEB 07, 2025 - FEB 07, 2025