5/04/15

NHTSA Recall Notice 5.4.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V208
Manufacturer : Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc.
Make / Model Years : HINO / 2015-2016
Subject : Front Axle U-Bolt Over Torqued


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V210
Manufacturer : KTM North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : KTM / 2015
Subject : Vent Hose Clamp may Damage Rear Brake Line


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V211
Manufacturer : Spartan Motors, Inc.
Make / Model Years : SPARTAN / 2015
Subject : Tag Axle Suspension Hangers may Move


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V212
Manufacturer : Grand Design RV, LLC
Make / Model Years : GRAND DESIGN / 2015-2016
Subject : Wheel Studs may Break


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V213
Manufacturer : Trans-Air Manufacturing Corp.
Make / Model Years : GM / 2006-2014
Subject : Terminal Strip Possibly Reconnected Improperly


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V214
Manufacturer : Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : LAND ROVER / 2015
Subject : Vehicle Control Systems may be Disabled


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V215
Manufacturer : DS Corp DBA Crossroads RV
Make / Model Years : CROSSROADS / 2016
Subject : Wheel Studs may Break


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V218
Manufacturer : Hyundai Motor America
Make / Model Years : HYUNDAI / 2015
Subject : Air Bag may Deploy when Child Restraint is in Seat


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V219
Manufacturer : Gillig LLC
Make / Model Years : GILLIG / 2013-2015
Subject : Air Brake Hoses may Rub Causing Air Leak


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V246
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2011-2014
LINCOLN / 2013-2014
Subject : Doors may Unexpectedly Open


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V250
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2013-2015
LINCOLN / 2013-2015
Subject : Loss of Power Steering Assist From Salt Corrosion




4/27/15

NHTSA Recall Notice 4.27.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V198
Manufacturer : Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC
Make / Model Years : HEARTLAND / 2015
Subject : Quad Entry Step Rivet Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V199
Manufacturer : Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC
Make / Model Years : HEARTLAND / 2015-2016
Subject : Slide Room may Extend While Vehicle is in Motion


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V200
Manufacturer : Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : AUDI / 2015
Subject : Sunroof Continues to Close with Key Off/FMVSS 118


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V201
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : BUICK / 2004
CHEVROLET / 2004
Subject : Engine Oil Dripping On Manifold may Cause Fire


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V203
Manufacturer : Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years : CARDINAL / 2016
FR3 / 2015
GEORGETOWN / 2015
PURSUIT / 2015
TRACER / 2016
Subject : Slide Room may Extend While Vehicle is in Motion


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V204
Manufacturer : Autocar, LLC
Make / Model Years : AUTOCAR / 2013-2015
Subject : Cross Member Mounting Bracket Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V206
Manufacturer : PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years : KENWORTH / 2015-2016
PETERBILT / 2015-2016
Subject : Vehicle Speed may Unexpectedly Increase


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V207
Manufacturer : Keystone RV Company
Make / Model Years : DUTCHMEN / 2015
KEYSTONE / 2015
Subject : Wheel Studs may Break


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V209
Manufacturer : Highland Ridge RV
Make / Model Years : HIGHLAND RIDGE / 2015-2016
Subject : Slide Room may Extend While Vehicle is in Motion


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V216
Manufacturer : Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Make / Model Years : H-D / 2014-2015
Subject : Clutch may not Fully Disengage


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V217
Manufacturer : Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Make / Model Years : H-D / 2015
Subject : Missing Rear Reflector Assembly/FMVSS 108


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V225
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CADILLAC / 2004-2007
Subject : Front Brake Hose Assemblies may Corrode and Leak


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V226
Manufacturer : Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : NISSAN / 2006
Subject : Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V229
Manufacturer : Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : AUDI / 2015
VOLKSWAGEN / 2015
Subject : Improper Plating may cause Fuel Pump to Fail

4/20/15

NHTSA Recall Notice 4.20.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V177
Manufacturer : Kalmar Solutions, LLC
Make / Model Years : KALMAR / 2014-2015
Subject : Wiring for ABS Components is Crossed


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V178
Manufacturer : Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years : DODGE / 2013-2014
Subject : Door may Open While Driving


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V182
Manufacturer : Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years : WESTERN STAR / 2014-2015
Subject : Kidde Handheld Fire Extinguisher may not Discharge


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V184
Manufacturer : Motor Coach Industries
Make / Model Years : MCI / 2014-2015
Subject : Tie Rod Nuts may be Incorrectly Torqued


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V186
Manufacturer : DS Corp DBA Crossroads RV
Make / Model Years : CROSSROADS / 2016
Subject : Slide Room may Extend While Vehicle is in Motion


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V192
Manufacturer : Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Make / Model Years : SMART / 2014-2015
Subject : Steering Gear Mounting Bolts May Break


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V193
Manufacturer : Oshkosh Corporation
Make / Model Years : OSHKOSH / 2014-2015
Subject : Undersized Air Tank Reservoirs/FMVSS 121


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V194
Manufacturer : Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : VOLKSWAGEN / 2009-2010
Subject : Ignition Switch may Turn Off


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V195
Manufacturer : Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : MITSUBISHI FUSO / 2012-2015
Subject : Lower Timing Chain Bolt may be Loose


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V196
Manufacturer : PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years : KENWORTH / 2015-2016
Subject : Rear Drive Axles may have Insufficient Lubricant


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V205
Manufacturer : BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : MINI / 2005-2008
Subject : Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection Mat


Commercial Building Maintenence Company uses Box Truck


This 1993 Mitsubishi Cab-Over Box Truck is being used for the storage and transport of the tool- of-the-trade for commercial cleaning. Notice the lift-gate used for lifting and lowering heavy objects into the back of the truck. This 1993 truck has 350,000 miles on it and is still being used every day for the needs of the business.

This day the crew was pressure washing the entryways and halls of this multi-unit residential complex.


Tommy Gate Lift Gate shown lowered. It folds up against the rear overhead door frame
while transporting  over the road.


A close-up view shows the use of the wall space to carry reels of hose, step ladders and other tools. The plywood walls are outfitted with E-Track which allows attachments such as hooks to hang the various tools and hoses, cables on.

Notice the shelving at the front of the box, its appears to be made with wood framing and plywood. These shelves appear to hold some of the smaller tools and supplies.

The Tommy Gate Raillift gate is used to lift the heavy equipment used for cleaning into the back.

Find out more about Tommy Gate products at: http://www.tommygate.com/

By Steve Taylor



4/17/15

Brighthouse Cable F450 Utility Body with a Versalift Bucket Lift


Spotted, a F450 Ford with Utility Body and a Versalift Bucket Lift used by Brighthouse Networks, a cable provider in Central Florida. 

  
Notice how the bucket sets on the rear "bed extension.' take a look at the details below. The extension provides a place for the bucket to ride soft on a "cushion tube". The extension appears to be supported by a frame extension which also has an integrated Pintle Style trailer hitch. 



See the "Cushion Tube", providing a soft ride for the Bucket


Find out more about Versalift at: http://www.versalift.com/

By: Steve Taylor


Guest Post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in lean six sigma process improvement and specializes in fleets and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/ 




Power Line Work Trucks


We don't give much thought to the overhead power lines, but when they need repair or replacement, there are always trucks required for the process. I shot this picture of a power line worker up in the bucket as shown above. The photo below shows the truck mounted crane and the bucket truck used to position the worker where he needed to be to perform his work. 


Below are pictures of the two International bucket trucks and a truck mounted crane.





Long reach bucket mounted on an International Tandem

Notice the heavy duty out-riggers mounted to the truck body

Long reach truck mounted crane mounted on International Tandem.
Notice the rear mounted out-riggers.


This work could not be accomplished without some heavy duty equipment. In this case, the trucks are brought to the site and readily positioned into place, the work gets done and they are gone!




What You May Not Know About Gas Cans and Pickup Bedliners - Read This First and Watch the Video!

Here's a video you should watch. The near-tragedy 
starts at about 1/3 through the video!



By Steve Taylor

I was shocked when I saw this video, I had limited knowledge of the potential for fire when a gas can was allowed to travel in and remain placed on the pick-up bed plastic bed-liner while refueling. Well, its real because here is a notice from the US NIOSH, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US). I wanted to share it with you:


Fire Hazard from Filling Portable Gas Cans in Pickup Trucks and Cars

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 98-111
Description of Hazard

In recent incidents reported to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), fires spontaneously ignited when workers or others attempted to fill portable gasoline containers (gas cans) in the backs of pickup trucks equipped with plastic bed liners or in cars with carpeted surfaces. Serious skin burns and other injuries resulted. Similar incidents in the last few years have resulted in warning bulletins from several private and government organizations.

These fires result from the buildup of static electricity. The insulating effect of the bed liner or carpet prevents the static charge generated by gasoline flowing into the container or other sources from grounding. The discharge of this buildup to the grounded gasoline dispenser nozzle may cause a spark and ignite the gasoline. Both ungrounded metal (most hazardous) and plastic gas containers have been involved in these incidents.

Fire Hazard: Filling gas can in pickup truck with plastic bed liner.
Safe Practice: Always place gas can on ground before refueling. Touch can with gas dispenser nozzle before removing can lid. Keep gas dispenser nozzle in contact with can inlet when filling.

Recommendations For Prevention

Construction workers and others in small businesses who often work with gasoline-powered equipment commonly use portable gasoline containers. Homeowners use gasoline cans for their lawn mowers and other equipment.
  •     Avoid the hazardous practice of leaving the portable gasoline containers in pickup trucks or cars when refueling!
  •     Before filling, always remove the containers from the vehicle and place them on the ground at a safe distance from the vehicle (provides path to dissipate static charge to ground).
  •     Touch the container with the gas dispenser nozzle before removing the container lid (provides another path to dissipate static charge to ground).
  •     Keep the nozzle in contact with the container inlet when filling (to dissipate static charge buildup from flow of gasoline).
Additional measures for prevention include the following:
  •     Manufacturers or retailers: Place a hazard label on all plastic liners being sold warning workers not to fill portable gas containers in the bed liner of the truck but always to place the containers on the ground before filling.
  •     Gas stations: Display a warning notice near gas pumps to place all portable gas containers on the ground before filling.
  •     States: Provide a warning notification to owners and users when new vehicles are licensed or when license plates are renewed.
  •     Manufacturers: Build bed liners that can be grounded to the metal truck bed, thereby dissipating potential electrostatic charge.
Acknowledgments

The principal contributors to this publication are: Jerome P. Flesch, Elaine Mann, G. Kent Hatfield, Heinz Ahlers, Richard Carlson, and Rosmarie T. Hagedorn, NIOSH; Richard Yallits, City of Winnipeg, Canada Fire Department; William Rowe, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Fire Hazard from Filling Portable Gas Cans in Pickup Trucks and Cars Adobe PDF file [PDF - 239 KB]

Guest Post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in lean six sigma process improvement and specializes in fleets and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/