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slohand's avatar
slohand
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015

Demco slider owners BEWARE!!!

Don't know if anyone has posted on this issue. Have a Demco Hijacker Autoslide that was bought new in May of 2014. I had about 3,000 mi. on it. A week ago I was moving the camper about 150 mi. when early on the trip I heard an odd noise when making a 90* turn. Didn't think a whole lot about it and continued onto the interstate. Realized I had a serious problem about 100 mi. down the road. The hitch was allowing travel back and forth as if I was in a turn. Except it was when I push the throttle or tapped the brakes. Pulled over and called Demco and was told I had a "failure" and they would have to get me a new hitch. I was not in an area where that would easily be done so I limped my way the last 15 mi. to my destination. I pulled the hitch out to look underneath to find the weld that holds the splined shaft that holds the entire hitch together had sheared and the shaft at that point could pull out which would result in my camper to no longer be attached to my truck. I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with Demco only to find out this has happened a "handful of times". They said these where hitches built in spring 2014. No recall, no notification. I urge anyone with one of these built around that time to be vigilant in checking the condition of this weld. You have to pull the hitch to see it from underneath. If in doubt call them and make them replace it! Your life or someone else's may depend on it.
  • slohand wrote:
    I heard an odd noise when making a 90* turn. Didn't think a whole lot about it and continued onto the interstate.

    There was your sign. Normal things do not make "odd" noises. Stop, get out, and investigate.

    I am not knocking the OP, just highlighting it for myself and others.
  • And another reason to get a long bed truck and not worry about sliding hitches.

    Ken
  • slohand wrote:
    The new ones have a redesigned splined shaft and weld process. There is no excuse for not notifying owners of these defective hitches or recalling them. I made that very clear to Demco.


    Toyota accelerator pedal sticking, GM ignition defects - caused deaths and injuries.

    NHTSA can't keep up with *major* life safety issues..:(

    NHTSA *might* get to "nitche" complaints in a few years, if at all..:R

    Google is your friend, see:
    "DOT Issues Scathing Internal Report of NHTSA's Defect Investigation Process" - - and many more.


    .
  • Let this be a warning to everyone to make sure that when they purchase something they register it. Does not have to be RV related.

    I agree that this is a dangerous item and not chastising the OP nor defending Demco but it has to be registered for Demco to know when and where it was bought. Many have failed to be contacted on tires recalls because the dealer often does not register them.
  • The new ones have a redesigned splined shaft and weld process. There is no excuse for not notifying owners of these defective hitches or recalling them. I made that very clear to Demco.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Help others by filing a formal complaint with NHTSA

    HERE


    I was just going to suggest that...

    Lyle
  • Darn, that is serious stuff. I am g;ad that you did not have damage. And I am glad that you got a new hitch. This makes me glad I have a long bed and don't need a slider.