Complaint 1884370

Complaint Summary

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Owner Narrative

Annual inspection of the Progress Manufacturing Equal-I-Zer (model number 90-02-1200) steel head assembly revealed cracks in the welds holding the two steel plates that support the spring bar sockets and the welds that attach the head component (part with the hitch ball) to the U-shaped bracket that attaches/bolts the head to the shank that is inserted into the receiver. I have pictures of the cracked welds. The assembly has been sent to a certified welding/fabrication shop for repair at my expense. If the welds failed, two scenarios are very likely: 1. The spring bars will separate from the head assembly, releasing two 20+ pound steel rods in an uncontrolled and unconstrained manner onto the pavement. Of the tow vehicle, trailer, or another car are struck by one or both rods, the result could be severe damage and/or injury. 2. If the welds holding the head assembly containing the hitch ball to the U-shaped bracket that is bolted to the shank failed, the entire hitch assembly and trailer would detach from the tow vehicle; the safety chains would provide the only mechanism to keep the trailer from detaching completely from the tow vehicle. Severe damage could occur to the trailer and tow vehicle. If the safety chains fail, the trailer would careen uncontrolled into other drivers on the road. A master welder and certified weld inspector looked at the pictures of the cracked welds and stated that "Lack of weld metal fusion, likely it was there when you bought it." I posted the pictures of my cracked welds on three FaceBook groups focused on RVing with approximately 300,000 members. Several members stated they, too, found cracks in their welds. The manufacturer was sent the pictures. They refused to stand behind their product and told me to buy a replacement head for $275.00. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. There may be a systemic welding problem at the PM factory.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.