The following has been posted on the CMCA
forum by Collyn Rivers.
Quote:
"This issue is developing daily.
It is increasingly appearing that the issue is not confined (as previously suspected) to Australia and NZ. A recent example in the UK, where the trailer broke totally free, killed two people.
Regulator authorities around Oz have been informed. They are investigating. Right now they seem more interested in whether the hitches themselves break up - which they are less likely to do. But we are pressing them to take a wider view.
The lawyer involved is also currently seeking a total Australian recall of all vehicles with these hitches.
A class action is being considered but right now this seems unlikely.
I will have a short prelim report in the March Wanderer and a full report in April. This will include comments on the legal position. We will also ask the CMCA to post the full article asap on the CMCA website.
As a matter of ethics etc I am extending copyright of all that I write in this area to other websites and magazines worldwide on an explicit nderstanding that it is used unchanged and uncut, and fully acknowledged. Do note if it is wished to copy the CMCA's presentation then copyright must also be obtained from the CMCA.
I am increasingly concluding that this is not so much a faulty hitch issue as hitches of a specific type being used in unsuitable application.
There is for example unlikely to be any problem were a single oscillatory hitch to be used with an open (chassis only) fifth wheeler car trailer as that trailer would flex enough to cope with the imposed torsional forces.
People stlll continue to ask if such or such a single oscillatory hitch is safe.
This is totally missing the point. It is not the brand of hitch that is in issue - it is the way they transmit inevitably generated forces that associated vehicles were never intended to withstand.
One thing needs to be said strongly. This problem really does exists. Some trailer makers are alleged to be denying it is happening. The anecdotal and other evidence is now overwhelming - and will be documented in our forthcoming report.
They are either genuinely unaware of this issue. Or they are lying.
IF THE HITCH HAS EAST-WEST FREEDOM THRE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES.
SO FAR AT LEAST THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO RELATE ONLY TO THOSE THAT ARE RIGID IN THE EAST-WEST PLANE.
Collyn Rivers
Director
Caravan & Motorhome Books
Broome "
UNQUOTE.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motohome