2021 LAKOTA BIGHORN

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:CEILING

Lakota Corporation (Lakota) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Bighorn trailers. The trey ceiling above the bed may not have been installed correctly and may detach.

Risk: A detached trey ceiling may fall on top of trailer occupants, increasing the risk of injury.

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

Lakota Corporation (Lakota) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Bighorn and Charger Triple Axle 5&6 horse trailers. The main rails of the axle carrier may have been manufactured with an insufficient gauge steel, which can cause the carrier to break.

Risk: A broken axle carrier can cause the axles and tires to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The structural frame of the trailer is broken and has torn the the Aluminum exterior panel in two places. This is directly stems from the recall 23V-550. Broken axle carrier which allowed excessive flexing of the welded Aluminum structural frame. My safety, my families, our five horses and innocent civilians are put at risk. You can imagine a trailer with 21,000Lbs of axle capacity going down the interstate and the structural frame completely broke? it could be catastrophic. Manufacturer is well aware of the issues but will not inspect trailer frame because of associated cost. Willing to repair obvious area only and repair is at discretion of Engineering. I did ask how a enclosed wall can be inspected but received a uneducated reply of lifting trailer with two tow motors ( big forklifts) and measuring. I had asked how lifting and measuring would tell them what is broken with in the enclosed structural walls. I brought up my concerns with the structural integrity and safety and was advised by Ms. Schuler that the trailer was safe and roadworthy. With my back round and knowledge I disagreed. I have asked numerous times to be in contact with Engineering and or the Owner and Ownership team at Lakota trailers and was denied. So I did a little research on my end and was able to figure out one engineer at Lakota Corp and added them to the email chain and also was able to do the same with listed Owners Mr. George Thomas and Mr. Erik Smith, in hope of a simple resolution. All I had asked for is that the Aluminum skin be removed so that the structural framing could be inspected, how ever no one asides the Warranty lady Ms. Schuler is willing to reply. I have a lot of emails to support the above. I have requested multiple times the file on my trailer which shows exact dates that I spoke with Mr. Gary Hershberger ( warranty advisor) as he has the documented calls that we had. horse dividers popping open while in transport and MORE.

SUSPENSION

The structural frame of the trailer is broken and has torn the the Aluminum exterior panel in two places. This is directly stems from the recall 23V-550. Broken axle carrier which allowed excessive flexing of the welded Aluminum structural frame. My safety, my families, our five horses and innocent civilians are put at risk. You can imagine a trailer with 21,000Lbs of axle capacity going down the interstate and the structural frame completely broke? it could be catastrophic. Manufacturer is well aware of the issues but will not inspect trailer frame because of associated cost. Willing to repair obvious area only and repair is at discretion of Engineering. I did ask how a enclosed wall can be inspected but received a uneducated reply of lifting trailer with two tow motors ( big forklifts) and measuring. I had asked how lifting and measuring would tell them what is broken with in the enclosed structural walls. I brought up my concerns with the structural integrity and safety and was advised by Ms. Schuler that the trailer was safe and roadworthy. With my back round and knowledge I disagreed. I have asked numerous times to be in contact with Engineering and or the Owner and Ownership team at Lakota trailers and was denied. So I did a little research on my end and was able to figure out one engineer at Lakota Corp and added them to the email chain and also was able to do the same with listed Owners Mr. George Thomas and Mr. Erik Smith, in hope of a simple resolution. All I had asked for is that the Aluminum skin be removed so that the structural framing could be inspected, how ever no one asides the Warranty lady Ms. Schuler is willing to reply. I have a lot of emails to support the above. I have requested multiple times the file on my trailer which shows exact dates that I spoke with Mr. Gary Hershberger ( warranty advisor) as he has the documented calls that we had. horse dividers popping open while in transport and MORE.