We may see more of these. Last week we reported on a recall of Brinkley fifth wheels, recalled because the fifth wheel pin box could come loose, causing the tow rig and the trailer to part ways. Now the same problem has been declared by Keystone. Don’t blame the fifth wheel builders—the problem lies squarely in the lap of Lippert, which is responsible for this pin box problem.
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2025 Arcadia and Cougar trailers equipped with CURT Helux pin boxes. The pin box fasteners may have been improperly tightened. The fasteners can loosen and fall out, allowing the towed vehicle to detach from the pin box and increasing the risk of a crash. Some 303 fifth wheels may be affected by this recall.
Pin box problem remedy
Dealers will tighten the pin box fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 23, 2025. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 24-459.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.
Pin box problem background
On November 18, Keystone got a phone call from Lippert, the Indiana company that manufactures the CURT Helux pin box. Apparently, a Lippert audit revealed that some of their pin boxes left the factory without proper torquing.
Keystone didn’t let any grass grow under its feet. Before the day was over, all rigs with the suspect pin boxes were put on lockdown and inspected. Within a week, the company decided a recall was in order.
We don’t have any information available as to what other RV manufacturers, if any, have installed these pin boxes. However, here are the part numbers for the pin box problem units involved directly in this recall: 2024032921, 2024032924, 2024032925, 2024032926.
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It is just sad that the RV industry cannot get its act together in any part of the industry.
My sons 2021cougar 1/2 ton model 5th wheel came loose from his tow vehicle a couple years ago. It was on a slower road of 50 mph, so the damage was not so severe. But the solution was a lockout kit that CW knew about. That was where he bought it from, including the hitch. So the concern is there is missing info in the recall. Running half cocked.
Probably need some training on torque specifications for the size and material type being used and that of how to use a calibrated torque wrench. Should maybe introduce a clevis pin safety, safety wire or cable and or cotter pins to prevent hardware from backing off as used in the aviation industry.
Here’s the BIGGER issue. A decent percentage of RV owners are rather skillful with tools and if you have any forward thinking you have a torque wrench to periodically re-torque at minimum your alloy rims/wheels. If I received that notice my first call is to customer service to find the torque value so I can re-torque the aforementioned bolts prior to re-entering the roadway. To do otherwise is completely stupid. The catch 22 is they will deem that information PROPRIETY and not share it. Same as the recall by GD on the 120 volt circuit for the refrigerator re-call. They want it fixed but you have to DRIVE the coach to a service center. COMPLETE INSANITY!! The Fridge OK the pin box????
Thank you, Russ and Tina! I guess Lippert strikes! Too bad the manufactuters pay the price, take the PR hit. Happy new year and safe travels!