Recall 20V297 affects 88 2020-2021 Forest River Surveyor trailers for undersized safety chains. Repair is free at a Forest River dealer or service center.
Forest River is recalling 88 2020-2021 Surveyor travel trailers because the safety chains are not strong enough for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. If the trailer comes unhitched, the chains can break and allow complete detachment from the tow vehicle, which can lead to property damage, personal injury, or a crash; Forest River dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The safety chains on a 2020-2021 Forest River Surveyor SVT296QBLE travel trailer are the backup connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle. If the coupler comes off the hitch ball, the chains are supposed to keep the trailer attached long enough for the driver to slow down and stop. Their rating has to match the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is the maximum loaded weight the trailer is built to carry.
On affected Surveyor trailers, the wrong chains were assigned during a redesign. Those chains are not rated for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. In an unhitching event, the chains can be overloaded and break instead of holding the trailer behind the tow vehicle. That failure defeats the backup connection the chains are there to provide.
There is no warning sign before failure. The chains can look normal during regular towing, so the issue is the chain rating, not a noise, light, or handling change you can rely on before the trailer comes loose.
Who's affected?
Both listed components apply to the same Surveyor trailer model across the 2020 and 2021 model years.
| 2021 Forest River Surveyor | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2021 Forest River Surveyor | Trailer hitches |
| 2020 Forest River Surveyor | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Forest River Surveyor | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 88 |
| 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 separates from the tow vehicle, the safety chains can break, allowing complete detachment and raising the risk of property damage, personal injury, or a crash. Schedule the safety chain replacement before towing again, and ask Forest River what service location will handle the work. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Forest River Surveyor is included in this recall.
- Contact a Forest River dealer or service center to schedule the free safety-chain replacement that addresses the trailer-detachment risk.
- Reference recall number 20V297 when you call, and ask whether Forest River recall 37-1170 appears on your trailer's service file.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River sent one.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the safety-chain replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer or service center, a Forest River technician replaces the safety chains with chains rated for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 20V297. If you already paid out of pocket for a safety chain repair tied to this defect, Forest River has a reimbursement plan for documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service center and ask how to submit it under Forest River's plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 22, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 1, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 1, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 1, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V297?
Recall 20V297 covers 88 2020-2021 Forest River Surveyor travel trailers with safety chains that are not rated for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. If the trailer comes unhitched, the chains can break, leading to complete detachment, property damage, personal injury, or a crash.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Forest River Surveyor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V297. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer or service center to schedule the safety-chain replacement. Reference recall number 20V297 and Forest River recall number 37-1170 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River's remedy says a dealer or service center will replace the safety chains free of charge.
Is it safe to tow my Forest River Surveyor before the safety chains are replaced?
The risk is tied to the trailer becoming detached from the tow vehicle. If that happens before the repair, the safety chains can break and the trailer can fully detach. Confirm your VIN first, then ask the Forest River dealer or service center for guidance before towing an unrepaired trailer.
When did Forest River begin this recall?
Forest River began the recall on June 8, 2020. The repair is available now, so an included 2020-2021 Surveyor owner can contact a Forest River dealer or service center to arrange the free safety-chain replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V297000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-3112 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V297 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V297000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →