Recall 18V348 covers 201 2012-2018 Altec Aerial Device vehicles missing a towing-limit placard. Altec provides the placard free of charge.
Altec is recalling 201 of its 2012-2018 Aerial Device units because LS63 and LS87 aerial devices with a pintle hook in the Class 3 receiver tube were shipped without the placard showing the maximum towing limit. Without that limit, the receiver tube can be overloaded and detach, increasing crash risk; Altec dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The trailer hitch on the 2012-2018 Altec Aerial Device uses a pintle hook mounted into a Class 3 receiver tube. The pintle hook is the towing connection, and the receiver tube is the square hitch tube that carries the towing load into the truck or chassis. The rating placard is supposed to tell the operator the maximum allowable towing limit for that whole assembly.
On affected units, some LS63 and LS87 aerial devices were shipped without that placard. The pintle hook can be rated higher than the Class 3 receiver tube, so an operator who loads the hook to its own limit can overload the weaker part of the assembly. When that happens, high stress concentrates in the receiver tube and the tube can crack or break.
Before travel, inspect the receiver tube and hitch area for visible cracking, damage, or deformation. Cracking of the receiver tube is the warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans one Aerial Device model across seven model years, all tied to the trailer-hitch component.
| 2012 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| 2015 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2016 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2017 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2018 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2014 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2013 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 201 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An overloaded receiver tube can detach and increase the risk of a crash. Inspect the receiver tube for cracking before travel, and do not exceed the corrected load limits on the recall placard. Schedule the recall work soon so the limit placard is in place. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2018 Altec Aerial Device is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Altec dealer or Altec customer service to schedule the free receiver-tube capacity placard.
- Schedule the placard installation that gives the pintle-hook receiver tube its towing and vertical-load limits.
- Bring the recall notice if Altec mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V348 when you call.
- Avoid overloading the receiver tube until the placard is installed and the towing limit is clear.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Altec technician supplies the missing placard for the receiver tube assembly. The placard states the vertical load limit is 600lbs and the towing capacity is 6,000lbs, so the pintle hook and receiver tube are not used beyond their rated limits. The placard is provided free under the recall. If you completed the placard work before the recall service, submit the claim through the Altec Warranty system for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 29, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 25, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 29, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 29, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V348?
Recall 18V348 covers 201 2012-2018 Altec Aerial Device units with a pintle hook mounted into the Class 3 receiver tube. The towing combination was shipped without a placard showing the receiver tube limits. Altec will provide the correct placard free of charge.
What should I do if my 2012-2018 Altec Aerial Device is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific aerial device is included in recall 18V348. If it is, contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and reference recall number CSN 684. Altec provides the missing towing-limit placard free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to correct recall defects at no cost. For recall 18V348, Altec provides the placard free of charge, showing the receiver tube assembly limit as 600 lbs vertical load and 6,000 lbs towing capacity.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is receiver tube overload. Without the placard, an operator can tow above the receiver tube limit. An overloaded receiver tube can detach, increasing crash risk. Confirm the recall by VIN and use the corrected towing limits once Altec provides the placard.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V348000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V348 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V348000 |
Source documents
-
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 →