2007 Western Alpine

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY RV, A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER POSITION KEPT CHANGING POSITION AND MOVEMENT IN THE WIND. WHEN I TOOK MY RV IN TO A SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT AND CHECK FOR THESE PROBLEMS, THEY FOUND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BRACKET FLEXED AN UNSAFE AMOUNT AND A SMALL CRACK HAD ALREADY FORMED ON THE REAR UPPER PORTION. I TOOK IT TO A TRUCK REPAIR, WE FOUND THAT THE INTERNAL BRACE FOR THE MOUNTING BRACKET WAS NOT WELDED EVERY WHERE IT SHOULD BE. THEY WELDED THE INTERNAL BRACE AND THE CRACK AND AN ADDITIONAL BRACE INSTALLED. *TR

WE HAVE DISCOVERED A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT PERTAINS TO ALL LATE MODEL ALPINE COACH MOTORHOMES, MANUFACTURED BY WESTERN RV OF YAKIMA WASHINGTON. THE MANUFACTURER IS ONE OF MANY THAT IS NOW OUT OF BUSINESS, SO A RECALL THROUGH ORDINARY CHANNELS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM AFFECTS AN INADEQUATE MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE STEERING BOX THAT RESULTS IN SEVERE SWAY AND STRESS ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET. WE HAVE BOTH VIDEO EXAMPLES, AND EMAIL REPORTS FROM MANY ALPINE OWNERS THAT SUBSTANTIATE THE SCOPE AND SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY NO ONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCESS OF PRESENTING THIS ISSUE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND I AM DOING SO WITH THIS SUBMISSION. THIS HAS NOT TO DATE RESULTED, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, OF AN ACTUAL ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS IS LIKELY TO OCCUR, ABSENT YOUR INTERVENTION INTO THIS SITUATION. BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, I AM A FORMER CORPORATE ATTORNEY, AND A FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION. I'M CERTAIN YOU RECEIVE MANY UNMERITORIOUS REPORTS OF SAFETY ISSUES, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE YOU THIS DEFINITELY DESERVES YOU FURTHER CONSIDERATION. IF YOU CAN ADVISE WHERE I CAN SEND DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF THIS PROBLEM (LIKELY AFFECTING SOME HUNDREDS OF MOTORHOMES), I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE RIGHT ON TARGET WITH YOUR RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVING MOTORHOMES. YOUR GUIDANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. TOM GONSER *TR

THE SOLD US A 5TH WHEEL, AND SAID IT WAS A 2008 AND IT WAS MADE IN 06' TO BE A 07' THEY SOLD IT AS A 08' IT IS REALLY A 07', THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY 08' AS OF TODAY NOV. 25TH, 2007 . THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE US OUT TO SELLING US A 08', THEY LIED AND CHANGED THE VIN # ON OUR 5TH WHEEL, THE SHOP MANAGER GAVE ME A DIFFERENT VIN# IT WAS ON THE TRAILER IN THE BEGINNING, THEN THEY CHANGED IT AND TOOK US FOR A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH, AND STILL PAYING ON IT TOO. *TR