Exterior lighting: tail lights; structure: body (Mcelrath Trailers)
Vehicle recall 23V-008. NHTSA received Gratimax, LLC’s report on Jan 13, 2023.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Gratimax, LLC’s report on Jan 13, 2023. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 27, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Incorrect placement of the taillights may reduce the visibility of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash. During a crash, a vehicle that travels under the rear of the trailer increases the risk of injury.
Gratimax, LLC (Gratimax) is recalling certain 2013-2023 McElrath Trailers VX75 Xcel vacuum excavator trailers.
The design of the rear impact guard resulted in the incorrect placement of the taillights.
In addition, the guard may fail to prevent a vehicle from traveling under the trailer during a rear impact crash.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment” and 224, “Rear Impact Protection.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting: tail lights.
- NHTSA’s part: Structure: body.
What should you do?
Dealers will reposition the taillights and modify the rear impact guard, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2023. Owners may contact Gratimax customer service at 1-864-814-2220. Gratimax’s number for this recall is 21434.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 31 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Gratimax, LLC.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- 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 (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 27, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 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 27, 2026.