Reese R20 Bushing Failures

[BarryD0706]

My Reese R20 is about 10 months old with just over 3100 miles on it. My pin weight is about half of the 5k it's rated for.

I noticed that it was very stiff in pivoting front to back at the end of my last trip. When I took the top off I found that the big yellow bushings were deformed and even split. I had noticed the deformation before and was rotating them to try to even that out. Now they're unusable.

I called Reese customer support and they were extremely helpful. I will have new ones in the mail by tomorrow. (They seem to be aware of this problem and have improved them or are looking to improve them.) This hitch gives a very nice ride and I'm sure the softness of these bushings is a lot of the reason for that.

If you have an R20 (or R16) I suggest you take a look at your bushings.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

My Reese R20 is about 10 months old with just over 3100 miles on it. My pin weight is about half of the 5k it's rated for.

I noticed that it was very stiff in pivoting front to back at the end of my last trip. When I took the top off I found that the big yellow bushings were deformed and even split. I had noticed the deformation before and was rotating them to try to even that out. Now they're unusable.

I called Reese customer support and they were extremely helpful. I will have new ones in the mail by tomorrow. (They seem to be aware of this problem and have improved them or are looking to improve them.) This hitch gives a very nice ride and I'm sure the softness of these bushings is a lot of the reason for that.

If you have an R20 (or R16) I suggest you take a look at your bushings.

Thanks for sharing this info!

When I was shopping fixed hitches, this model was at top of list because of the bushing design...glad to see Reese helping you out on this issue

[Jjsav]

I just got back from a trip and have the same problem, mine are not as bad. I e-mailed Reese on Monaday and I will have the new ones Thursday. I was going to post after I changed them out. My hitch is the R16K, and my weights are way below the hitch limits. I figures thier was a problem because they did noy hessiate to send me new ones. My hitch is 9 months old and less than 2K on it.

How hard are they to change?


You can see the gap on top of the washer...

[BarryD0706]

I just received my "isolator kit" today. Not only does it include the bushings I showed, but the metal bushings that go thru them and the pins and locks that holds it all together. AND the bushings for the other axis (much bigger yellow blocks) as well.

[Jjsav]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

I just received my "isolator kit" today. Not only does it include the bushings I showed, but the metal bushings that go thru them and the pins and locks that holds it all together. AND the bushings for the other axis (much bigger yellow blocks) as well.

When you do it, let me know how you make out. It looks like they should just slip out and the new ones in? I hope......

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by Jjsav

When you do it, let me know how you make out. It looks like they should just slip out and the new ones in? I hope......

Yea, it's trivial to do. I take the head off of mine after every trip 'cause its too heavy to lift as one piece. Usually one of the bushings falls out.

[Jjsav]

I got my parts from Reese today and made the repair, Done in about 10 minutes.

Not only did they send me new bushings, bolts and washers, they also sent me a new light blue cast piviot piece.

So hopefully this takes care of it. I will be watching it closely!!!!

[jaygeo1]

I'm curious how your R16 Reese head bushings ordeal is working out. I'm seriously considering the R16 in the near future. I'd welcome any comments overall you might have about the R16 (R20) design. Thanks. -George-

[Jjsav]

Repair went easy. I like the hitch. Hooks up and disconnects well. I have the slider but don't need it so I am going to go to regular legs. Hopefully that does not change anything.

[Papicamper]

I had a 16K slider Reese as included with my purchase. It wouldn't slide and, long story short, I upgraded to R20. Due to the fact that the original hitch seemed to be self-destructing with my 36CKTS and F-350 Reese was kind enough to allow me to pay only the difference and they picked up the labor as well. After I convinced the dealer (VERY well known in NC) that my new HD rails (I also opted to pay difference from "regular" rails) required a specific bracket (3rd time hitch "install" now) I can't be more pleased. I have 300 miles on this monster (yes, I'm watching those bushings) and what a difference! Chucking is all but history compared to the 16K. I have about 3000# on the pin so we're running about 60%. Was going to upgrade to the R16 slider but went the extra notch for the "20" and am glad. If you opt for those heavy duty rails too (Reese #30153 as I recall) make sure you insist on vehicle specific brackets or you're wasting your money. It took a lot of convincing, some Reese printouts and email but they (the dealer) finally admitted I'd done my homework...but never their lack of knowledge. Anyway, again, am very pleased with the R20 so far. It's a strong beauty! Wish they'd have offered the upgrade at the sale (this is my first 5W) and I would have bought it then and saved two additional "installs".

[Ford Idaho]

Interesting, my 16K pullrite has no bushings to fail.

[BarryD0706]

The bushings (actually called "isolaters") are there to smooth the ride. They serve that purpose very well.

[Ford Idaho]

That I knew, I did not know my pull rite did not have then till I looked.

[BarryD0706]

I had installed the new Reese Isolators but we haven't been traveling during the heat of the Texas summer. I have hooked up to my RV twice and towed about 100 yards total. (Changing the tire position and doing some work.)

Today I see that the side Isolators are again badly deformed in the vertical direction!

I just called Reese again. They tell me that they have now gone back to the drawing board with these and have some early production of the new parts (which are no longer yellow). Since I had a trip planned in two weeks, they are going to try to get me some new parts by then.

Of course it's worrisome to have these problems, but I continue to be very impressed with their customer support and willingness to do what it takes to solve this problem. All-in-all, I'm glad that I have a Reese hitch.

[OldCoot]

I would be going to a machine shop and have some made out of bronze and forget the isolation effect.

[Papicamper]

Thanks for info Barry. I will be watching mine. Please let me (forum) know how the "new improved" isolators work out. I just may opt for them myself if they work for you! Safe trip...

[ronb707]

Thanks Barry for a good write up and pics of the isolator issue. I have the R16 and after 5k miles mine also are deformed. I was going to chase this down but you did all the leg work. I called Reese yesterday and they will be shipping the improved (orange?) isolators to me. The tech said the supplier had changed the material after Reese had originally tested it. Nevertheless, they are making it right.

I really like the r16-the design and beefiness of it. I use it with the revolution pin box. However, a disclaimer, my first 5th wheel hitch of any kind. I would buy it again.

[BarryD0706]

I received my new isolators today. Note that the center metal bushing is a lot thicker than it was before, leaving less rubber around it.

Instead of a welded-on flange on one end of the center bushing, they now supply two washers that go over the end of the bushing where it extends beyond the rubber.








One warning. While the soft yellow rubber was easy to push into the collar of the yoke, these orange parts are (thankfully!) not so soft. I spent quite a bit of time with a hammer and wood block coercing them to fit.

Tomorrow I'll give them a load test.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

I received my new isolators today. Note that the center metal bushing is a lot thicker than it was before, leaving less rubber around it.

Instead of a welded-on flange on one end of the center bushing, they now supply two washers that go over the end of the bushing where it extends beyond the rubber.
Attachment 41532

Attachment 41533

Attachment 41534

Attachment 41535

One warning. While the soft yellow rubber was easy to push into the collar of the yoke, these orange parts are (thankfully!) not so soft. I spent quite a bit of time with a hammer and wood block coercing them to fit.

Tomorrow I'll give them a load test.

Would soapy water in a spray bottle be a good or bad idea?

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Would soapy water in a spray bottle be a good or bad idea?

What, and make it easy?!?!