Recall 23V008000
STRUCTURE:BODY
Defect Description
Gratimax, LLC (Gratimax) is recalling certain 2013-2023 McElrath Trailers VX75 Xcel vacuum excavator trailers. The design of the rear impact guard resulted in the incorrect placement of the taillights. In addition, the guard may fail to prevent a vehicle from traveling under the trailer during a rear impact crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 224, "Rear Impact Protection."
Safety Consequence
Incorrect placement of the taillights may reduce the visibility of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash. During a crash, a vehicle that travels under the rear of the trailer increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will reposition the taillights and modify the rear impact guard, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2023. Owners may contact Gratimax customer service at 1-864-814-2220. Gratimax's number for this recall is 21434.
Affected Vehicles
| Year | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2014 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2015 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2016 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2017 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2018 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2019 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2020 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2021 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2022 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
| 2023 | MCELRATH TRAILERS | VX75 XCEL |
Check your vehicle: Visit NHTSA.gov and enter your VIN to see if your specific vehicle is affected.