User Tag List
Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Results 1 to 10 of 14
Thread: Sidewinder
-
09-11-2021, 03:45 PM #1
- Join Date
- Feb 2020
- Location
- Summer Pure Michigan, Winter Phoenix
- Posts
- 25
- Mentioned
- 2 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
Sidewinder
Hi all. Looking at the Reese Sidewinder pin box. Anyone out there using one? Or similar setup? The good and bad if you’re using it.
Last edited by Michigan_Dreaming; 09-11-2021 at 06:22 PM. Reason: Clarification
-
09-12-2021, 07:21 AM #2
- Join Date
- Feb 2021
- Posts
- 578
- Mentioned
- 4 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
I am using it with my setup.
The good, is having the trailer pivot far enough back that I do not worry about hitting the cab of my truck. The street I live on is small, and my driveway from the street is initially about 5-7* up-slope, with that I am up to 70* turn and worried about the upper front cap that is not scalloped, hitting the truck, this doesn't. A sliding hitch would work, but I needed weight on the trailer (light front). Another is not needing to worry if the pin-box will hit the side-rail of the truck.
The bad for me, is, no matter what I have tried, I can never get the wedge (correct one for the setup) in that tight. This can cause the feel of the trailer moving slightly sideways as the kingpin rotates (less then an 1/8"). I only feel when I am going on a curvy road, otherwise I don't feel anything.Last edited by Wileykid; 09-12-2021 at 07:25 AM.
2023 Chevy 3500HD CC SB 4x4 Dmax
2021 GD 320G with 8K axles
-
10-03-2021, 11:05 AM #3
- Join Date
- Jun 2019
- Posts
- 492
- Mentioned
- 2 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 1 Thread(s)
Have you purchased a sidewinder yet? I'm also thinking of purchasing a sidewinder. I'm currently using a Demco autoslider and it has worked great, but it takes up a lot of room in the bed and its heavy 300lbs. I have an aux fuel tank in the bed so i need to get rid of some weight. Also, looks like the sidewinder would free up a lot of storage room in the bed while towing.
-
10-03-2021, 01:23 PM #4
- Join Date
- Feb 2020
- Location
- Summer Pure Michigan, Winter Phoenix
- Posts
- 25
- Mentioned
- 2 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
Not yet
I have not purchased a sidewinder yet. When I put out the query my Reese slider wasn’t working. Reese stepped up and replaced the slide portion. I’m still thinking about purchasing one but doing more investigation. I’m not convinced that will be as stable as a traditional pin box with the pivot point moved back 22” (defeating the purpose of a 5th wheel rig stability IMO). My main motivation now would be to free up the area under the pinbox for my generator. I’ll give you a shout out if I decide to. Good luck with your endeavor.
-
10-03-2021, 03:03 PM #5
- Join Date
- Mar 2017
- Location
- Minnesota
- Posts
- 210
- Mentioned
- 0 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
I have had my sidewinder for 8 years and on the third trailer. I suppose I have over 100K miles towing with it and have had no problems.
I take it apart every year and clean, the put fresh white grease on wear plate and trunnion.
All good.
Follow instructions and jam the wedge into hitch jaws, then unhook and torque bolts.2016 Ram 3500 SWD 3:73 Turbo Diesel 6'4"" box
OEM puck Pro 16K
2021 Reflection 311BHS
Previous:
2017 Reflection 29RS
Reese Sidewinder Hitch
Platte Lake MN.
-
10-03-2021, 10:21 PM #6
- Join Date
- Feb 2017
- Location
- White Bear Lake, MN
- Posts
- 1,487
- Mentioned
- 21 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 1 Thread(s)
Had one on my old Jayco 5th in my signature, and really liked it.
A gorilla installed my wedge, and I found at times it was really hard to release from my Reese hitch. Removing it, and reinstalling snug, but not superhuman snug, resolved all those problems.
You do have to learn to back in dead on straight to the pin box, which may or may not be square to the rest of the trailer. On my original, it was possible to "gunch" the box straight by hand. On my second, not so much.
Be careful due to that issue, if you leave you tailgate down, and come in at an angle, the corner of your gate may make contact with the trailer. I learned fiberglass repair from that. We always backed in far enough to close the gate, then finished the backing, afterwards.
BEWARE when dropping off for service. Our dealer put pins (bolts) in the box to prevent rotation, so he could use his tractor to move the trailer around his lot. I picked it up, hitched up and drove the 15 miles to home. There were more creaks and groans than I remembered, especially when doing the 90 into my driveway. Then discovered the pins when I couldn't unhitch...and the totally twisted entire pin box assembly on the trailer...and the destroyed Reese hitch. No place to pivot! That cost him all new, plus the flatbed to pick it up out of our drive, and inspection fees at a Ford frame shop to make sure we hadn't twisted the truck box/frame. He was right on it, fixed it all, and even loaned us his head mechanics personal one while he waited for parts to come in for the final install of the all new one. No camping missed.
When I go back to a 5th, I'll make sure to have one.2017 Imagine 2670MK
2012 F-150 SCrew, Eco, 4x4 6.5 box
Max. Tow, HD Payload, Airbags, ProPride hitch
(Previous: Jayco 26.5RLS Fifth, Revolution Pinbox)
-
10-10-2021, 11:08 AM #7
- Join Date
- Jun 2019
- Posts
- 492
- Mentioned
- 2 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 1 Thread(s)
There is a seller on ebay that is selling the Sidewinder premium with the airbag for 1800. Etrailer is selling them for 2600. This is the cheapest i have seen it. I can get one without the airbag for 1200. I don't know if the airbag will make that much of a difference.
-
12-04-2023, 06:45 AM #8
- Join Date
- Aug 2019
- Location
- Indiana
- Posts
- 174
- Mentioned
- 2 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
Does your sidewinder have a jerky motion when rotating? Mine jerks especially after I have retorqued the cap bolts to 40 ft-lbs. It actually jerked while driving through a curve causing the rear tires of my truck to slide on wet pavement. I have cleaned and white greased the friction plates with no success in solving the problem.
Tim
2020 Reflection 320MKS, Sidewinder Hitch
2003 2500HD Silverado Duramax, Sumo springs, Hawk Brake Pads
-
12-04-2023, 07:55 AM #9
- Join Date
- Mar 2017
- Location
- Minnesota
- Posts
- 210
- Mentioned
- 0 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
It seems that the actual pivot bearing needs to be disassembled and checked. It’s heavy, two people or a trans Jack to lower and check the Teflon seals and then white grease.
Take out 4 bolts and cap and lower it.
Good luck2016 Ram 3500 SWD 3:73 Turbo Diesel 6'4"" box
OEM puck Pro 16K
2021 Reflection 311BHS
Previous:
2017 Reflection 29RS
Reese Sidewinder Hitch
Platte Lake MN.
-
12-04-2023, 08:11 AM #10
- Join Date
- Aug 2019
- Location
- Indiana
- Posts
- 174
- Mentioned
- 2 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
Hot water low pressure
Today, 05:34 PM in Plumbing and Water Systems