Recall 12V497 covers 175 2012 Alumadump Aluminum Trailer AL6096 trailers with tongue welds that can fail. Alumadump offers a full refund.
Alumadump is recalling 175 2012 Aluminum Trailer AL6096 trailers because the weld connecting the tongue to the frame can fail under stress. If the trailer separates from the towing vehicle, it becomes a road hazard and increases crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The tongue on the 2012 Alumadump Aluminum Trailer AL6096 is the front structure that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle. Its job is to carry pulling, turning, and braking forces from the hitch into the trailer frame. The weld between the tongue and the frame holds that load path together.
On affected trailers, that weld can fail under stress. Once the weld begins to break, the tongue and frame no longer share towing loads the way they were designed to. That weak connection affects the trailer's ability to stay properly attached and aligned during use.
The filing does not identify an owner warning sign before the weld fails. There is no warning sign before failure, so do not wait for a noise, sway, or visible change to confirm the problem.
Who's affected?
The same trailer model is tied to Equipment and Trailer hitches, so the VIN decides whether a specific trailer is included.
| 2012 Alumadump Aluminum Trailer AL6096 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Alumadump Aluminum Trailer AL6096 | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 175 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If this trailer separates from the tow vehicle while in use, it becomes a significant road hazard and increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, avoid towing the trailer until the remedy path is confirmed. Repair will be free at any franchised Alumadump dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Alumadump Aluminum Trailer AL6096 is included in this recall.
- Contact Super Test at 1-815-623-8400 for the full refund process for the affected trailer.
- Reference recall number 12V497 when you call Super Test.
- Stop using the trailer until Super Test confirms the refund path, because the tongue weld can fail and let the trailer separate from the tow vehicle.
- Keep your Home Depot receipt or trailer purchase paperwork with your recall notice if you have it.
What happens at the repair
For this recall, Alumadump's remedy is a full refund, not a frame repair. The safety recall began on December 14, 2012, and the source notice says owners should not contact Home Depot about the recall. If your VIN is included, ask the recall contact listed on the owner notice how the refund is handled and what paperwork proves the trailer is covered. Because the source does not describe a shop repair or an inspection procedure, there is no repair time to schedule.
Timeline
| October 3, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 14, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V497?
Recall 12V497 covers 175 2012 Alumadump Aluminum Trailer AL6096 trailers with a tongue-to-frame weld that can fail under stress. If the trailer separates from the towing vehicle while in use, it becomes a road hazard and raises crash risk.
What should I do if my 2012 Alumadump Aluminum Trailer AL6096 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V497. If it is, call 1-815-623-8400 about the recall refund process. Do not contact Home Depot for the remedy, even if the trailer was purchased there.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. This recall uses a full refund instead of a repair. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost, and the filed remedy offers a full refund for each affected Alumadump trailer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer separation while towing. The weld connecting the tongue to the trailer frame can fail under stress, and a separated trailer creates a road hazard that raises the risk of a crash.
When did the recall remedy start?
The safety recall began on December 14, 2012. If your VIN is included, contact the recall phone number at 1-815-623-8400 and reference recall 12V497 so the service team can connect your trailer to the refund process.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V497000 |
|---|---|
| Alumadump customer service | 1-815-623-8400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V497 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V497000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →