Defective draw bar

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Delta vehicles. Closed 1 October 1987.

Investigation
PE87007
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
25 November 1986
Closed
1 October 1987

What NHTSA investigated

Summary of information from manufacturer:the manufacturer states that thetrailers and drawbars were built to a customer's specifications.allegedlya serious accident occurred due to a drawbar breaking.delta contacted theodi staff to clarify who has the legal responsibility to correct theproblem.analysis:during certain jack knife turns in close quarters maneuvers,the drawbar may hit a reinforcing wing plate on the pintle hook structure,which causes the drawbar to bend resulting in the rear trailer not track-ing true.delta reports in some cases the drawbar becomes kinked, settingup conditions for a crack to generate.delta found that when thereinforcing plates were removed, damage to the drawbars ceased.deltaremoved the trailers from service on approximately june 5, 1987, and beganmaking the necessary repairs.it appears that delta is repairing the unitsto prevent future accidents due to a failure.a recall request tolegitimize delta's corrective action was sent on july 30, 1987.DELTA hasnot responded to the letter, nor have they responded to telephone messages.proposed action:upgrade the pe to an ea.===

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
DeltaDELTA1985

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.