Some Newmar Super Star motorhomes may not be living up to their names. The big Class A manufacturer discovered that tire valve extensions have led to tire ruin. Is your rig one of the 111 involved?
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Super Star motorhomes. The inner wheel tire valve extension may be damaged through contact with the outer wheels, causing the inner tire to lose air pressure and overload the outer tire. Overloading may cause the rear tire to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tire ruin remedy
Dealers will remove the rear inner wheel tire valve extensions, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 22, 2024. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar’s number for this recall is 613 RSB.
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.
Background on tire ruins
Newmar got wind of the tire valve problem back in April of this year. At the time, the company got warranty claims from owners reporting “damage to rear outer wheels and damage to the rear inner tire valve extensions.”
Newmar says the rigs with the warranty claims were units that were in production after the chassis manufacturer discontinued installing the inner wheel tire valve extensions. The company investigated further to get a better understanding of what was happening.
After the research was completed, on October16, 2024, Newmar’s Product Safety Committee “met to review the scope and consequence. At that time, it was decided the issue presented an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and the recall process was initiated.”
When Newmar initiated its recall, it had received nine customer complaint/warranty claims on the matter.
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I have suggested that any valve extension needs to be short i.e. under 2″ if longer than 5″ the outer end should be solidly attached to a wheel or hub. I do not have confidence in the “rubber donuts” in the wheel handhole preventing vibration and possible loosening of the extension. I also am concerned with the force needed to measure or add air to a long metal stem as that can put enough torque on the mounting point to fail and leak in the rubber grommet at the point of attachment. When checking or adding air pressure it is better if you can support the extension with the other hand to prevent flex in the extension.
Like this.
I’m a fan of outright removing them. The “convenience” they provide just doesn’t outweigh the liabilities of making a vulnerable stem even more vulnerable. Said differently, reduce the number of places for deflation and you reduce the need for frequent inflation.
My other opinion is TPMS shouldn’t be an option. Driving without TPMS is akin to driving without headlights. You can but you shouldn’t…..
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Well. … Huh. Have a great week and safe travels!