Recall 18V616 covers 22 2019 Highland Ridge Tt travel trailers with missing hub bearing races. Repair is free at any franchised Highland Ridge Tt dealer.
Highland Ridge Tt is recalling 22 2019 Open Range Ultra Lite, Open Range Lite, and Mesa Ridge travel trailers because the axle hubs can be missing inner bearing races. A missing race can burn out the bearing or overheat the hub, and hub separation increases the risk of a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle hub on a 2019 Highland Ridge Tt Open Range Ultra Lite, Open Range Lite, or Mesa Ridge travel trailer carries the wheel bearing assembly. The bearings let the wheel spin smoothly while supporting the trailer's weight on the axle. Inside the hub, an inner bearing race gives the bearing a hardened surface to roll against.
On affected trailers, Dexter built some axle hubs without that inner bearing race, also called a bearing cup. Without that surface in place, the bearing does not run as designed. Heat builds in the hub, bearing grease breaks down, and the bearing can burn out. As the bearing fails, the hub can overheat and the wheel can loosen on the axle.
The warning signs are heat, smoke from bearing grease, or a wheel that looks or feels wobbly. If you notice any of those signs, stop towing and have the trailer inspected before it moves again.
Who's affected?
Covers three 2019 Highland Ridge Tt trailer lines sharing the same rear-suspension assembly.
| 2019 Highland Ridge Tt Open Range Ultra Lite | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2019 Highland Ridge Tt Open Range Lite | rear suspension |
| 2019 Highland Ridge Tt Mesa Ridge | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 22 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A missing bearing race can make the hub bearing fail early. If the hub separates from the axle, crash risk increases. Watch for a hot hub, smoke from bearing grease, or a wobbly wheel; stop towing and call the dealer if these appear. Repair will be free at any franchised Highland Ridge Tt dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Highland Ridge Tt Open Range Ultra Lite, Open Range Lite, or Mesa Ridge is included in this recall.
- Watch for Highland Ridge Tt repair instructions, or call Highland Ridge Tt customer service at 1-260-768-7771 to ask whether parts are open for your VIN.
- Contact a franchised Highland Ridge Tt dealer once the repair opens for your VIN, and ask for the free hub or axle replacement that fixes the missing inner bearing race and hub-overheating issue.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 18V616 and Highland Ridge Tt recall 9904410 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the repair is complete if you notice hub overheating, bearing noise, or wheel looseness.
What happens at the repair
Once the final dealer repair is available, a Highland Ridge Tt technician will replace the defective hubs with new hubs or replace the axles, depending on what the inspection shows. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall. Highland Ridge has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall work opened. Keep repair invoices and payment records, then ask Highland Ridge customer service how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 12, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 18, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 16, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| November 16, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 16, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V616?
Recall 18V616 covers 22 2019 Highland Ridge Tt Open Range Ultra Lite, Open Range Lite, and Mesa Ridge travel trailers with axles that can be missing inner bearing races on the hubs. The defect can overheat the hub, burn out the bearing, and separate the hub from the axle, increasing crash risk. Dealers replace defective hubs or axles for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Highland Ridge Tt Open Range Ultra Lite, Open Range Lite, or Mesa Ridge is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific travel trailer is included in recall 18V616. If it is, contact a franchised Highland Ridge Tt dealer and ask whether your trailer needs new hubs or axle replacement. Reference recall number 18V616 and Highland Ridge recall number 9904410 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Highland Ridge Tt dealers replace the defective hubs with new hubs or replace the axles free of charge for trailers included in recall 18V616.
Is it safe to tow my Highland Ridge Tt trailer before the recall repair?
The safety risk is hub bearing failure. A missing inner bearing race can overheat the hub, burn out the bearing, and separate the hub from the axle, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, ask the dealer for towing guidance before moving the trailer.
What if I bought this Highland Ridge Tt trailer used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law ties the repair to the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received the October 18, 2018 recall notice, check your VIN and reference recall 18V616 when you call a franchised Highland Ridge Tt dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V616000 |
|---|---|
| Highland Ridge Tt customer service | 1-260-768-7771 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V616 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V616000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →