Recall 12V543 covers 2,200 2011-2012 Rockport trailer models with wheel dimensions that prevent proper lug torque. Replacement wheels are free at any franchised Rockport dealer.
Rockport is recalling 2,200 2011-2012 Work N Tow, Snowbird, Travel Companion, and other trailers because certain Carlisle Toy Hauler wheels were not built to the required dimensions. The wheel can be under-torqued during mounting, loosen, separate from the trailer, and create crash and road-hazard risks; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheel on a 2011-2012 Rockport trailer carries the trailer's weight and gives the lug nuts a solid mounting surface. On trailers equipped with Carlisle Toy Hauler series wheels, the wheel also has machined areas for a center cap and steel lug inserts. Those insert areas help the wheel seat correctly when the lug nuts are tightened.
On affected trailers, those machined dimensions were not held to the required specifications. That means the wheel was not clamped with the proper torque during mounting, even if the lug nuts were installed. A wheel that is not tightened with the correct force can loosen while the trailer is being towed.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the problem is in the wheel dimensions and lug insert fit, an owner should not rely on noise, vibration, or a quick visual check to confirm the wheel is secure.
Who's affected?
Covers 2011 and 2012 trailer lines, all tied to wheel hardware.
| 2012 Rockport Work N Tow | wheel hardware |
|---|---|
| 2011 Cargo Mate Snowbird | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Travel Companion | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Travel Companion | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Rance Aluminum Trailer Low Rider | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Rance Aluminum Trailer Outlaw | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Rance Aluminum Trailer Outlaw | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Rance Aluminum Trailer V-Low | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Qualifier | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Multiple Purpose Trailer | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Eliminator | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Econo Hauler | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Continental Cargo Tailwind | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Econo Hauler | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Economy Hauler | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Ecomony Hauler | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Cargo Mate | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Blazer | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Continental Cargo Value Hauler | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Continental Cargo RS Series | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Continental Cargo Junior Automaster | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Continental Cargo Continental Cargo | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Continental Cargo Auto Plus | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Rance Aluminum Trailer Lightning | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Continental Cargo Value Hauler | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Blazer | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Cargo Mate | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Eliminator | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Multiple Purpose Trailer | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate Qualifier | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate Snowbird | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Cargo Mate SS Series | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Cargo Mate SS Series | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Rance Aluminum Trailer Lightning | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Rance Aluminum Trailer Low Rider | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Rance Aluminum Trailer Ranger | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Rance Aluminum Trailer Ranger | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Rance Aluminum Trailer V-Low | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Rockport Work N Tow | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Continental Cargo Tailwind | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Continental Cargo Auto Master | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Continental Cargo RS Series | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Continental Cargo Junior Automaster | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Continental Cargo Continental Cargo | wheel hardware |
| 2011 Continental Cargo Auto Plus | wheel hardware |
| 2012 Continental Cargo Auto Master | wheel hardware |
| Units affected | 2,200 |
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?
Improper wheel torque can let a wheel loosen and separate from the trailer, increasing crash risk. A detached wheel also becomes a road hazard for other drivers. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and ask the dealer whether the trailer needs a torque check before travel. Repair will be free at any franchised Rockport dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Rockport trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Rockport dealer to confirm whether the free wheel replacement is open for recall number 12V543.
- Schedule the wheel replacement that fixes the loose-wheel torque issue tied to wheel separation.
- Bring the recall notice if Rockport mailed one. If not, give the dealer recall number 12V543 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the wheels are inspected or replaced, since a loose wheel can separate and become a road hazard.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Rockport technician replaces the Carlisle Toy Hauler series trailer wheels covered by recall 12V543. The repair path is wheel replacement, not retorquing the existing wheels, because the wheel dimensions for the center cap and steel lug inserts were outside the required specifications. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| November 23, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 10, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V543?
Recall 12V543 covers 2,200 2011-2012 Rockport trailers equipped with Carlisle Toy Hauler series trailer wheels. The wheel dimensions did not meet required specifications, so the wheels were not tightened to proper torque during mounting. Dealers will replace the wheels for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Rockport trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V543. If it is, contact a franchised Rockport dealer to schedule the wheel replacement. Reference recall 12V543 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 12V543 is free wheel replacement at a franchised Rockport dealer.
What is the safety risk?
A wheel that is not tightened to proper torque can loosen and separate from the trailer, increasing crash risk. A detached wheel is also a road hazard. If your VIN is included, arrange the free wheel replacement before towing the trailer again.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on January 10, 2013. That means the free wheel replacement is already open for affected trailers. Check your VIN first, then call a franchised Rockport dealer and reference recall 12V543.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V543000 |
|---|---|
| Rockport customer service | 1-574-389-4600 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V543 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V543000 |
Source documents
-
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 →