Recall 17V494 affects 743 2012-2014 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer units for pivot plate cracking. Repair is free at any franchised Trail King dealer.
Trail King is recalling 743 2012-2014 Gooseneck Trailer units because the pivot plate reinforcement in the gooseneck pivot area is shorter than needed to keep the pivot plate from cracking. A cracked plate can let the trailer deck disconnect from the gooseneck, which raises the risk of a crash, and Trail King dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The gooseneck pivot area on the 2012-2014 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer is part of the trailer structure that lets the gooseneck move through its pivot point while carrying load forces. The pivot plate and its reinforcement spread that movement and stress across the structure, so one narrow area does not take all of the flex.
On affected trailers, the reinforcement is too short to fully cover the transition from the pivot bushing to the lower panel. That leaves the lower pivot plate area carrying more flex than designed. Over time, fatigue can start small cracks in that plate, especially around the lower area of the gooseneck pivot.
Owners and operators should look for small cracks in the lower pivot plate area from the outside or underneath the gooseneck. Those cracks are visible during ordinary maintenance or a pre-trip inspection before the damaged area progresses.
Who's affected?
The same body or structural component is listed for the 2012, 2013, and 2014 model years.
| 2012 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2013 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer | body or structural component |
| 2014 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 743 |
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?
A cracked pivot plate can let the trailer deck disconnect from the gooseneck, increasing crash risk. Inspect the lower pivot plate area from outside and underneath the gooseneck, including during ordinary maintenance or the operator's pre trip inspection, and schedule the repair soon if cracks appear. Repair is free at any franchised Trail King dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2014 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Trail King dealer to schedule the free pivot-plate inspection, crack repair, and reinforcement that addresses cracking in the gooseneck pivot area.
- Bring the recall notice if Trail King mailed one, or reference recall number 17V494 when you call.
- Avoid hauling loads until the trailer is inspected and repaired, because pivot-plate cracking can let the trailer deck disconnect from the gooseneck.
- Call Trail King customer service at 1-800-843-3324 with questions about scheduling or repair availability.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Trail King technician inspects the pivot plate in the gooseneck pivot area for cracks. If cracks are found, the dealer repairs the damaged pivot plate and adds reinforcement so the plate has the support specified for this recall. The inspection, repair, reinforcement work, parts, and labor are free under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the recall work on the repair order before the trailer is returned to service.
Timeline
| August 4, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 18, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 21, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| August 21, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 29, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V494?
Recall 17V494 covers 743 2012-2014 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer units with a gooseneck pivot plate reinforcement that is too short to prevent cracking. A cracked plate can let the trailer deck disconnect from the gooseneck, increasing crash risk. Trail King dealers inspect, repair cracks, and add reinforcement for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2014 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V494. If it is, contact a franchised Trail King dealer to schedule the pivot plate inspection and reinforcement repair. Reference recall number 17V494 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Trail King says dealers will inspect the pivot plate, repair cracks found during inspection, and add the needed reinforcement free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer deck separation from the gooseneck. Trail King reported that the pivot plate reinforcement is too short, which allows cracking in the gooseneck pivot area. If the deck disconnects from the gooseneck, crash risk increases.
What if I bought my Trail King Gooseneck Trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012-2014 Trail King Gooseneck Trailer is included, then contact a franchised Trail King dealer for the free inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V494000 |
|---|---|
| Trail King customer service | 1-800-843-3324 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V494 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V494000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →