Service brakes, electric (Sundowner)
Vehicle recall 05V-301. NHTSA received SUNDOWNER TRAILERS, INC.’s report on Jun 27, 2005.
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The short answer
NHTSA received SUNDOWNER TRAILERS, INC.’s report on Jun 27, 2005. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IF THE TRAILER WERE TO COME LOOSE FROM THE TOW VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CURRENT BREAK-AWAY BATTERY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN BREAKING ACTION FOR THE REQUIRED 15 MINUTES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR INJURY/DAMAGE TO THE OPERATOR AND/OR THE HORSES/STOCK.
ON CERTAIN HORSE/STOCK TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER PREDATOR ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS AND WERE NOT FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH A STORAGE BATTERY, THE BREAK-AWAY SYSTEM BATTERY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH AMP HOURS TO MAINTAIN BRAKING FOR THE REQUIRED 15 MINUTES IN CASE OF TRAILER BREAK-AWAY WHEN USING THE ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Service brakes, electric.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BATTERY AND BATTERY BOX AND REWIRE THE TRAILER THROUGH THE STORAGE BATTERY. THEY WILL ALSO APPLY A NOTICE LABEL ON OR BY THE BATTERY LOCATION INFORMING THEM THAT THE BREAK-AWAY SYSTEM IS TIED INTO THE STORAGE BATTERY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUNDOWNER AT 1-800-654-3879, EXTENSION 2149.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 7 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Sundowner Sunliteand 2005, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by SUNDOWNER TRAILERS, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.