My Revolution wedge disintegrated leaving my 5'er flopping around like a fish out of water on a downhill curvy road. After about 15,000 miles the wedge on my Reese Revolution (Sidewinder is the same) broke into two pieces. The part that bolts to the revolution separated from the lower part that contacts the sides of the fifth wheel hitch throat to keep the revolution/sidewinder from rotating on the fifth wheel. Fortunately one of the bolts that was exposed kept the revolution tongue within a plus/minus 35 degree range though it damaged the Titan 5th wheel hitch.
The two pieces were welded together in five places, with none of the welds any more than the equivalent of a tack weld (1/4" wide and 1/16" penetration). It's a wonder that the wedge lasted this long! The replacement wedge is similar except it has far deeper welds and additional welds between the plates that make up the wedge. Clearly some early units failed and resulted in the huge change in the welding. The original unit had pretty much surface welds while the replacement welds are up to 1/4" deep.
The earlier version clearly should have been recalled. If you have the earlier wedge version (got mine in late 2015), you are at grave risk of a potentially fatal accident. It should be replaced immediately if it has the weak welds. I'm speaking in particular of the wedge that mates a revolution or sidewinder to a Reese Titan hitch. Others may or may not be as weak.
I bought my original and replacement from Etrailer.com. They were unconcerned with the failure and gave me two choices, a phone number for their supplier or order a replacement ($130 with next-day shipping). I had to get back on the road so chose the $130 option.
Thankfully the replacement is many times stronger. I've tried to call Reese, but so far two one-hour stints on the phone did not get me through to anyone and I'm waiting for a response via a typed message on their Contact Us page.
Photos of original and new wedge.....
http://slickpic.us/2018933NcTy
Linear Mode
