2026 Forest River Rockwood

We purchased a new 2026 travel trailer on XXX. We were sitting outside under our trailers' awning and had just gone in with our grandsons to put in a movie for them when we heard a large banging sound and after trying to open the door with much difficulty, we realized the awning had separated from the control arm without warning and had fallen with such force that it rocked the trailer. Prior to us going inside, the [XXX] was sitting directly under where the awning tube and arm fell. This control arm is under extreme pressure and given this downward force, I can’t imagine the injury he would have received to his head and possibly his neck and spine had we not gone in when we did. I contacted Lippert (awning manufacturer) but their C/S stated it was due to the weather that the pin holding the awning to the drive motor broke, not an issue with their drive pins. Pictures clearly show the rusted through pin. I fear their negligence will kill someone. There are a few critical points that need to be made regarding the hazard of the early rusting of this pin and it separating the motorized arm from the awning tube: •The breakage of this pin causing awning tube to separate from motor arm and fall could cause serious injury or worse to anyone in the area it lands. •Even when rolled up, had that pin broke while we were driving on Route 1 (heavily traveled with beach traffic at 65 – 70 mph) it would have caused not just a serious accident for us, but also anyone driving in back or next to us. The injuries would have been horrific and possibly killing us or others and causing serious damage to vehicles. •Most owners park their TTs in their driveway or an outdoor storage facility. Awnings separating from the arm would cause damage to any vehicles parked alongside it as well as possible injury to anyone near it. I believe an investigation/possible recall of these pins need to be made before loss of life or property occurs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)