2016 Freightliner X-LINE

The body of our class A diesel motorhome is breaking loose from the chassis. The welds on two of the back brackets that hold the body to the frame have broken loose from the frame. As I round corners, especially in round-a-bouts, there is loud banging and grinding sounds from the back of the motorhome as the body slides from side to side. If this continues it could compromise hydraulic hoses and wiring and at worst the slide far enough to cause major accident.

The contact owns a 2016 Thor Motor Coach Tuscany constructed on a 2017 Freightliner XC-R chassis. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the door to the motorhome detached from the body. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and re-attached the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the door was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 27,000.

WE ARE RECENTLY AWARE OF THE JULY 3, 2019 NHTSA SAFETY RECALL (CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V512000) INVOLVING DOOR LATCHES ON 2018-19 FORZA MODELS. THE PROBLEM OF EXTERIOR STORAGE COMPARTMENT DOORS OPENING WHILE DRIVING ALSO EFFECTS OUR 2016 ITASCA SOLEI. THE SOLEI AND FORZA AT THE TIME WERE ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL MODELS BUILT BY WINNEBAGO. SINCE PURCHASE IN 2015 WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF LOCKED DOORS OPENING WHILE MOVING. SEVERAL TIMES MOTORISTS HAVE ALERTED US TO OPEN DOORS AS WE TRAVELLED. THE PROBLEM BECAME LESS FREQUENT AS WE GAINED PROFICIENCY WITH LATCH ADJUSTMENTS, BUT NEVER THE LESS CONTINUES. WE DON'T TRUST THE SECURITY OF OUR DOOR LATCHES AND OUT OF NECESSITY RELY ON BUNGEE CORDS TO RETAIN CONTENTS IN SEVERAL COMPARTMENTS. *DT*JB *TR 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB