Sidewinder void warranty?

[pauliwalnutz]

Looking for someone at GD to answer the question. Does the installation of a Reese Sidewinder void any warranties?

 

[GDRV Service]

Looking for someone at GD to answer the question. Does the installation of a Reese Sidewinder void any warranties?

Hi Paul (@pauliwalnutz),

Please contact Lippert directly at (574) 537-8900 to discuss your question of installing a Reese Sidewinder, so as not to void their frame warranty on your unit.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[TucsonJim]

Paul,

I've never considered one, but I'd be very interested in Lippert's answer.

Jim

 

[pauliwalnutz]

I contacted Lippert. They informed that the Reese Sidewinder does not void any warranty. I was a bit concerned as my dealer installed one on my unit when I purchased it. They had made no mention of warranty issues. I have 2400KM with it and have had no issues.

 

[photogent]

I have a sidewinder dealer installed and hoped it was not a problem since I have a short bed and the RAM boxes so all I could use was a Sidewinder. I can turn this Solitude over 90 degrees without hitting the truck but try not to do that. It is smooth and would consider this hitch even if I had a long bed. Have 1500miles on the rig without so much as a moan. I do apply some grease to the underside and the kingpin so everything moves unrestricted. No worries about did the hitch slide or did I make sure it slid, just get in it and drive.
Would purchase another one if I got an new fiver.

 

[GDRV Service]

I contacted Lippert. They informed that the Reese Sidewinder does not void any warranty. I was a bit concerned as my dealer installed one on my unit when I purchased it. They had made no mention of warranty issues. I have 2400KM with it and have had no issues.

Hi Paul (@pauliwalnutz),

Please send me a private message with the name of the person you spoke to at Lippert so we can review this further with them.

Does the installation of a Reese Sidewinder void any warranties?

According to our contacts at Lippert, yes.

Thank you in advance...

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[pauliwalnutz]

Below is the quote from an email I received from Lippert. I will send the entire email to you in a PM

"The interchange to a Reese sidewinder hitch is approved to the point that you can install or swap the hitch as long as it does not involve modifications or welding to your chassis. We will also want to stipulate that should there be an issue in the future involving your upper deck or other chassis components, that the pin box change will be taken into account during investigation"

 

[TucsonJim]

That note about the upper deck sounds like Lippert doing a case of CYA. Of course, their warranty is only for one year anyway, so after 12 months they won't cover any issues, no matter the cause.

 

[GDRV Service]

Below is the quote from an email I received from Lippert. I will send the entire email to you in a PM

"The interchange to a Reese sidewinder hitch is approved to the point that you can install or swap the hitch as long as it does not involve modifications or welding to your chassis. We will also want to stipulate that should there be an issue in the future involving your upper deck or other chassis components, that the pin box change will be taken into account during investigation"

Hi Paul (@pauliwalnutz),

Thanks for the information! We have reached out to Lippert for clarification, and received a reply from Bradly A. Smith from Lippert Customer Service Division. He has given me permission to attach his letter to Ryan Prough (our Warranty Manager) on the forum (click link below to download and view letter).

Best regards,
~ Janice

View attachment 15_0204 Lippert reply to sidewinder void warranty forum post.pdf

 

[pauliwalnutz]

Thanks Janice. This is great information for everyone that is interested in this type of set up for their 5th wheel.

 

[TucsonJim]

Excellent news. Thanks for the follow up Janice!