Recall 18V134 affects 157 2016-2018 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler trailers for undersized safety chains. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 157 of its 2016-2018 Xlr Toyhauler recreational trailers because their safety chains do not exceed the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating. If a trailer comes uncoupled, the chains can fail and let it separate from the tow vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash; Forest River dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The safety chains on a 2016-2018 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler are the backup connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle. They are supposed to be rated above the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR, which is the maximum loaded weight the trailer is designed to carry. If the hitch connection comes loose, the chains are meant to help keep the trailer attached long enough to stop safely.
On affected Xlr Toyhauler trailers, the installed safety chains were under-rated for the trailer's GVWR. Forest River traced the problem to a pre-production GVWR miscalculation that led to the wrong chain rating being requested from the frame supplier. Production checks did not catch the mismatch before the trailers were built.
There is no warning sign before failure. The chains can look normal during a walkaround inspection, so the issue is the chain rating, not an owner-visible crack, sound, or dashboard alert.
Who's affected?
Covers the same Xlr Toyhauler trailer component across the 2016, 2017, and 2018 model years.
| 2018 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2017 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2016 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| Units affected | 157 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the trailer uncouples, the existing safety chains can fail and allow the trailer to separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign before this failure, so avoid towing until the chains are replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2018 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free safety-chain replacement that gives the trailer chains rated above its GVWR.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V134 when you call.
- Tow carefully until the repair is complete. Confirm the trailer is fully coupled before each trip and avoid unnecessary towing.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0432 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the trailer safety chains with chains rated above the trailer's GVWR. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Forest River lists a general reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid out of pocket for a related safety-chain repair, contact Forest River customer service and keep your repair paperwork available so the service desk can review the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 23, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 13, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 23, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| April 23, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 23, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V134?
Recall 18V134 covers 157 2016-2018 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler recreational trailers with safety chains that do not exceed the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. If the trailer uncouples, the chains can fail and let the trailer separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk. Forest River dealers replace the chains for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2018 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V134. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the safety-chain replacement. Reference recall number 18V134 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 Forest River dealers replace the safety chains with chains that exceed the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer separation. If the trailer becomes uncoupled from the tow vehicle, the existing safety chains can fail. That can let the trailer separate from the tow vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V134000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-0432 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V134 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V134000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →