Recall 17V697 affects 118 2018 Highland Ridge Fw Light recreational trailers with underrated safety chains. Repair is free at any franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer.
Highland Ridge Fw is recalling 118 2018 Light recreational trailers because the installed safety chains are rated for 7,600 lbs while the trailer GVWR is 11,700 lbs. If the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle, the lower-rated chains can fail and raise the risk of a crash; Highland Ridge Fw dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The safety chains on the 2018 Highland Ridge Fw Light travel trailer are the backup connection between the trailer frame and the tow vehicle. They are supposed to help hold the trailer to the tow vehicle if the main hitch connection separates. On the 312BHTS and 275RLS models, those chains need to match the trailer's 11,700 lb GVWR.
The affected trailers were built with chains rated for 7,600 lbs instead. That rating is lower than the trailer's GVWR, so the chains are not sized for the load they are expected to control. The issue came from a vendor chassis print that listed the wrong chain specification, and the error was not caught before production.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner can still check the metal tag attached to the safety chains: a 7,600 lb rating identifies the incorrect chains, while the correct chains are rated for 11,700 lbs.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Highland Ridge Fw Light | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 118 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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 lower rated safety chain can fail if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk. There is no listed warning sign before chain failure, so schedule the chain replacement soon and use extra care when towing. Repair is free at any franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Highland Ridge Fw Light is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer to schedule the free safety-chain replacement that matches the trailer's 11,700 lb GVWR.
- Bring any recall notice you received, or reference recall number 17V697 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the dealer replaces the undersized safety chains.
- Call Highland Ridge Fw customer service at 1-260-768-7771 with questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Highland Ridge Fw technician replaces the trailer safety chains rated at 7,600 lb with chains rated at 11,700 lb. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Highland Ridge has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for a chain related repair before the recall notice, ask Highland Ridge customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 3, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 30, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| November 30, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 4, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 21, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V697?
Recall 17V697 covers 118 2018 Highland Ridge Fw Light trailers, models 312BHTS and 275RLS, with safety chains rated for 7,600 lbs on trailers rated at 11,700 lbs GVWR. If the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle, the lower-rated chains can fail and increase crash risk. Highland Ridge Fw dealers replace the chains for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Highland Ridge Fw Light is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V697. If it is, contact a franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer to schedule replacement of the 7,600 lb safety chains with 11,700 lb chains. Reference recall 17V697 or Highland Ridge number 9904364 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 Highland Ridge Fw dealers replace the affected safety chains free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for this recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is chain failure if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle. The trailer has an 11,700 lb GVWR, but the installed safety chains are rated at 7,600 lbs. If your VIN is included, schedule the free chain replacement with a franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer.
When did Highland Ridge Fw start this recall repair?
Highland Ridge Fw began this recall on December 4, 2017. The remedy is available now through franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealers. Owners can call Highland Ridge Fw customer service at 1-260-768-7771 and reference recall 17V697 or Highland Ridge number 9904364.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V697000 |
|---|---|
| Highland Ridge Fw customer service | 1-260-768-7771 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V697 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V697000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →