Heartland Recall

[kakampers]

Only the Big Country 3900 FLP will have ballast added to the pin...

 

[bigdob24]

Interesting, when you go to the web page mentioned in some of the first posts. Do a search on tires and TowMax .
There is a recall or directive there on that subject too!

 

[JanAndBill]

No, Heartland said it would be added to the Pinbox. Keep in mind the root of the problem is because of the lack of weight on the pin.

Bob and Valerie

Since sliding the axles back is definitely going to increase the pin weight. If I were an owner of one of these units, my first question prior to moving the axles is what do they calculate the pin weight to be after the change. I would then compare that to my truck's cargo rating. If all is well then no problem, but if you were already close, adding more weight could create more problems.

 

[cookie]

I am no engineer, but I wonder if adding ballast to the pin would solve the problem.
Since that would be all dead weight concentrated only at the pin would it be any different than just adding weight to the bed of the truck?
I think that the fulcrum (axles) position would have to be changed.
Just a thought.

Peace
Dave

 

[jmgratz]

When the axles are moved back that will change the design of the location of the fender skirts. That means they will have to moved as well as the j-wrap replaced. That also means repainting that area of the coach. Not a tiny job. Good luck

 

['Lil Guy']

When the axles are moved back that will change the design of the location of the fender skirts. That means they will have to moved as well as the j-wrap replaced. That also means repainting that area of the coach. Not a tiny job. Good luck

A good tech can take care of this in 5 hours. I'm going to be upgrading the 1st of next year. I think I would want HL to do the repair and issue another warranty from day it's finished. I still can't understand how they could let this happen. Maybe you need to weigh your rig before taking delivery to make sure some wannabe engineer did his job. How does HL come up with the weights of pin and axles on a new rig design if they don't inspect and weigh a new model. I think I'll be requesting to see our next unit on the scales before taking ownership. That's too much money for this to be happening let alone the inconvenience. They apparently know what they're doing or so we thought.
I agree that the ballast is a bad idea to try and correct with. Apparently this unit was designed bad from the get go and there might be extra weight on the axles do to this unit being tail heavy. Proper axle location would establish the pin weight. Otherwise there is too much weight over the axles.

 

[jayc]

On the plant 2 builds, Landmark, Bighorn and Big Country, the last thing done in the plant is to weigh each trailer. The actual weight is on a sticker that is placed inside the trailer.

 

[JanAndBill]

I received a call on Friday /13/2015 from Heartland directly. Very limited information given. I have the Bighorn 3750Fl. I called my dealer today to get the ball rolling. They also have limited information but it is their understanding my particular model will have to be shipped back to Heartland. It's funny as I had told my wife when we picked up the unit that the axles seemed to be too far forward.

Bob and Valerie

Interesting article in the latest Trailer Life magazine, they compared several 5th wheels side by side, including the 3750FL. Hitch weight of the 3750FL was listed at 1785# which is just over 11% of the GVW of the trailer. It was the lightest hitch weight of any by 500-1200#, but more importantly the percentage of the others listed ranged from 13.5 to 19% of the GVW. Not sure if the HL engineers tried to keep the pin weight low to make it towable with a 3/4 ton or if they tried to utilize a frame designed for rear living models. In any case I see now why they're moving the axles back.

 

[jmgratz]

Just a thought ... seems like a perfect time to get your Mor-Ryde IS axleless system. They will mount it in the right place. Then all you need to worry about is the metal work.

 

[Mburtsvt]

Just a thought ... seems like a perfect time to get your Mor-Ryde IS axleless system. They will mount it in the right place. Then all you need to worry about is the metal work.

or at a minimum - step up to the 8000 pound "optional" axles. They have bigger brakes as well. Just saying.

 

[dieseldogsdad]

We took delivery of our new 3750FL around Christmas. Pulled it home from Cincinnati about a 5 hour drive. I thought the pin weight felt light but nothing to be concerned about. I have pulled enclosed and car trailers that were loaded improperly, heavy in the rear and they are very hard to keep under control. I did not feel this way at all with this trailer however it was new and completely empty. I just received a new Flex-air pin box yesterday that will probably add about 125 lbs to the pin when I install it, but I agree adding dead weight is not a good fix. Today I received a recall notice in the mail. I wondered why heartland showed up on my caller ID the other day. I thought maybe they were just calling to see if we were happy with our purchase LOL. I am a little leary of having my trailer basically redesigned before I have even got to use it. I also wonder will they have to move the hydraulic jacks to accommodate moving the axle. Don't know how they plan to remove the welded on components but as a ironworker by trade I know that when you use a torch to flush off welds on light gauge steel such as these trailer frames it weakens it substantialy. One question I am definitely going to ask is if they are going to come get it and take it to their factory or a dealer then bring it back. It says on the notice "This remedy will be completed at no expense to you". If I have to haul this back to the dealer that is definitely an expense to me, about $250 in fuel and a day's worth of my time driving and even more if it has to go to the factory. Before I get all bent out of shape I will give them a call and get some more details.

 

[dieseldogsdad]

Just wanted to note if this recalled due to being unsafe they should probably come get it on a lowboy to avoid anyone from getting in an accident hauling it back.

 

[jbeletti]

I’ve received additional detail about this recall from Heartland Customer Service. I've added this detail below as well as attached. I am not involved with any aspect of this recall, so I won't be able to field any questions on it. Kindly direct any questions you want answered by Heartland, directly to our Customer Service department at 877-262-8032.

Summary of affected vehicles
65 Big Country (24 each 3800FL and 41 each 3900FLP)
73 Big Horn (all of them are 3750FL)
1 Landmark 365 (a single Charleston)
------------------------------------------
139 in total

Detail of the recall and the affected vehicles
See the attached PDF for the details of the recall as well as a VIN list of affected vehicles. Note that VINs in yellow highlight are vehicles that are in Canada.

Bighorn 3750FL, Big Country 3800FL and Landmark 365 Charleston
Heartland is working with retail customers and dealerships in the field to locate certified frame shops and service centers to increase the hitch weight on the affected Bighorn 3750FL, Big Country 3800FL. The one affected Landmark 365 Charleston will be returned to Heartland for the repair. On all of these vehicles, the axles will be moved 30.5" aft (rearward) and will not require any additional ballast.

Big Country 3900FLP
Heartland is returning all of the Big Country 3900FLP units to our factory for the repairs to be completed. The Big Country 3900FLP will have the axles moved 15” aft (rearward) due to the entry door position preventing us from moving them the entire 30.5” and will require ballast added to the chassis to increase the hitch weight.

Bighorn 3750FL and Landmark 365 Charleston
Heartland is returning the few Bighorn 3750FL and the one Landmark 365 Charleston that were built with full-body paint to our factory for the repairs.

 

[JohnD]

I have one of the 3750 full body paint models at the dealer that from the sounds of ths thread will need to go back to the manufacturer for repairs. I will have a problem purchasing the unit if major repairs including, frame modifications, repainting, etc are being performed before I even take possession. Not even sure how that might affect resale value. Full body paint is 10k, not somthing you want touched up.

Not a good thing.

If you haven't picked it up yet, I would think that you can back out of that deal and switch to another model that doesn't have the recall!

Or at least have Heartland get you a new one from the factory with the recall problems fixed.

 

[JohnD]

By the way . . . moving the axles back 30 1/2 inches?

That just sounds crazy . . .

 

[JohnD]

I agree, JohnD, a normal minor recall is one thing but looking at the photos of the 3750fl, moving the axles would involve filling in part of the side of the trailer body along with modifications to the slider since the wheel wells are also cut into them. And then trying to repair the damage all this would do to the 10k full body paint. Geez. I am very reasonable but this is too much of an impact on a brand new unit.

Well, I'm having serious suspension issues with my 2013 Heartland Trail Runner . . .

But there is no recall, so I am left on my own to pay for my problems!

Heartland has already told me that they won't cover my problems . . .

Since there is a recall for your issues . . . take advantage of it and let them fix it!

And hurry . . . they might change their mind!

 

[donr827]

I have one of the 3750 full body paint models at the dealer that from the sounds of ths thread will need to go back to the manufacturer for repairs. I will have a problem purchasing the unit if major repairs including, frame modifications, repainting, etc are being performed before I even take possession. Not even sure how that might affect resale value. Full body paint is 10k, not somthing you want touched up.

Not a good thing.

Show this to the dealer and tell them that you want a different trailer that does not have the defect. If you have not signed the paper work then it should not be a problem.
Don

 

[dieseldogsdad]

Looking at 3750FL exterior photos, moving the axles back 30 1/2 inches will put them quite close to the rear of the trailer. I would think the weight shift would be quite a bit.

That is probably the location that they were at on the 3755FL which was basically the same as the new 3750FL with some minor changes to the living room. Here are some photos of the axle location on the 3750FL

Here are some of a new already in new location 3750FL for comparison.

I know they are at a slightly different angle but you can get the idea. The right side compare the front axle to location of window. Left side compare fender skirt on slide out. I definitely don't think they will be too far back.

 

[dieseldogsdad]

I would actually like to have some more pin weight on this trailer so that the coach will sit a little more level. It does not sit too bad but to have a comfortable amount of bed rail clearance on my truck it is a little nose high. This is partly due to the light pin weight only made my truck squat an inch. I think another #1000 towards the pin could put it just about right. Now if I had a 3/4 ton it may put you close to payload capacity then I may try to get my money back or something. I also wonder if a simpler solution would be to add another axle behind the rear one. I don't know that that would change the pin weight but it would definitely make the trailer more stable and would help if it were loaded heavy in the rear storage compartments. I am no engineer but with 3 axles wouldn't that make the fulcrum point over the middle axle which would be about where the 30.5" back would be? This would allow owners to keep their light pin weight without the fear of overloading the rear. Plus adding another axle just seems like it would not weaken the frame in the way that putting all the heat on it to cut off all the existing hardware would. They would also not need to replace all the J panels. Instead they would simply cut more out and add a tri-axle fender skirt. I will question them about this possibility when they call me back. I had to leave a message yesterday as I am sure they are busy with lots of calls over this recall.

 

[Ks.Kev]

Well, I'm having serious suspension issues with my 2013 Heartland Trail Runner . . .

But there is no recall, so I am left on my own to pay for my problems!

Heartland has already told me that they won't cover my problems . . .

Since there is a recall for your issues . . . take advantage of it and let them fix it!

And hurry . . . they might change their mind!

Hey John D,
What kind of suspension problems are you having?
I have the 2013 22 FBS which is almost the same as your roadrunner. just wondering so I can be looking out for the same problems.
To date I haven't had no problems yet.......
Thanks!