---
title: "MCELRATH TRAILERS VX75 XCEL (2017) - Recall 23V008000 — NHTSA record 236391 | Is It on Recall"
description: "Gratimax, LLC (Gratimax) is recalling certain 2013-2023 McElrath Trailers VX75 Xcel vacuum excavator trailers. The design of the rear impact guard resulted in t"
url: https://isitonrecall.com/recall/nhtsa-236391-mcelrath-trailers-vx75-xcel-2017-recall-23v008000/
updated: 2026-10-01
site: "Is It on Recall"
language: en
---

[Recall archive](https://isitonrecall.com/archives/) / NHTSA

# MCELRATH TRAILERS VX75 XCEL (2017) - Recall 23V008000 — NHTSA record 236391

Published notice; closure not supplied

A campaign record does not say whether this individual vehicle has received the remedy. Check the VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer.

Source date Jan 13, 2023. Retrieved Oct 1, 2026. Last updated Oct 1, 2026.

Archive changed Oct 1, 2026. USDA FSIS records are unavailable; [check FSIS directly](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls). [Source coverage and dates](https://isitonrecall.com/sources/).

## What the record says

- **Product**: MCELRATH TRAILERS VX75 XCEL (2017) - Recall 23V008000
- **Reason**: 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." 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.
- **Classification**: Not supplied
- **Recalling firm**: Gratimax, LLC
- **Quantity**: 31
- **Agency-reported status**: Published safety recall
- **Source record identifier**: 236391

[Open the official record](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=23V008000)

## Lot and product identifiers

| Label field | Details supplied by the agency |
| --- | --- |
| Lot, code or applicability | Product applicability: MCELRATH TRAILERS VX75 XCEL; model year 2017. Check the model identifiers and, for a vehicle, the VIN on the official recall site. |

Match all identifying details in the current notice. A brand name alone is not enough.

## Distribution

Not supplied

No US distribution state could be established from this record. Check the official notice.

## Dates in the source

- **Report received**: Jan 13, 2023
- **Owner notification**: Mar 17, 2023
- **Record created**: Jan 17, 2023

FDA company pages use the listing date; enforcement records use initiation dates; CPSC uses recall date; NHTSA uses report-received date. These dates are not interchangeable.

## What to do next

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.

[Read the current instructions](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=23V008000)

Use [NHTSA's VIN check](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to check an individual vehicle and its remedy status.

## Related records

[Vehicles records](https://isitonrecall.com/product/cars/) [Vehicles and equipment records](https://isitonrecall.com/category/vehicles/) [Gratimax, LLC records](https://isitonrecall.com/brand/gratimax-llc/)