Airstream was made aware of the problem when a customer posted a video on social media showing his Demco hitch coupler detaching from the ball hitch while engaged in the latched position.

Airstream started an investigation and initiated conversations with Demco. Demco was aware of the video and informed Airstream the hitch backplate was manufactured out of tolerance on one of its welding fixtures. Demco stated this tolerance issue would cause the coupler to not be able to meet the SAE J684 pull of test for the rating of the coupler. As a remedy, Demco offered to design and manufacture a test tool that they could provide to Lippert and Airstream that could determine whether or not the hitch couplers are within compliance specifications. Demco also said they would be providing pull test data on couplers they had in their possession that were outside J684 specs to determine if this was a safety issue.

Airstream Convened a Safety Committee to discuss the information with Demco, as well as discuss the next steps. The pull test data from Demco was reviewed and the determination was made to initiate a safety recall.