Recently, Reese Products introduced a new hitch pin box that pivots a full 90 degrees where it mounts to the underside of the trailer.This is a significant new development for anyone with a short bed who is also interested in an air ride hitch (that typically do not slide). The Reese Revolution enables a full 180 degree (90 + 90) articulation with full cab clearance on short bed pickup, without a sliding hitch.It works by installing a Reese supplied Wedge under the Revolution pinbox fiver pin plate, that nestles in the valley of the mouth of the fifth wheel hitch head. Weight ratings are up to 16,000 lbs.For anyone who hasn't seen it in action, there are several videos on YouTube put up by a couple of trailer manufacturers who are installing the Reese Revolution pin box as OEM equipment on their trailers.Has anyone tried this yet? I did a search on RV.net for the "revolution" and "wedge", and got zero results, which sort of surprised me. So it was time that someone started a thread about it.

And do not expect it to tow as good as a normal 5th wheel that attaches over the axle or slightly in front of it. You are adding a lever and moving the pivot point back, so it will be more likely to induce a little sway into the truck, not as much as a bumper pull but some!Chris

If this is the same as the one Flagstaff is using, the attachment point is still where any pin would connect. A wedge is inserted to prevent the pin from rotating at the hitch. Pivot point then is near the 5th wheel connection. My concern looking at these is the new pivot point strength and wear. I do like how you can choose to lock it out if you don't need it, however it's either locked out or not - no changing on the fly. Take what I say with a grain of salt, shopping for 5th wheels and just sharing my recent research.

I have a Reese 5th Airborne pin box with the Sidewinder attachment that does this and I love it. According to eTrailer.com, "A Sidewinder and a Revolution are the same thing. It is called a Revolution when it comes as OEM equipment on a trailer. That is the only difference."

Not really a new item, I can't understand the search showing zero results. I had one on my previous Fifth Wheel, they work well. I never noticed any sway characteristics as mentioned, I used that setup for over 3 years.

BigToe wrote:Has anyone tried this yet? I did a search on RV.net for the "revolution" and "wedge", and got zero results, which sort of surprised me. So it was time that someone started a thread about it.Google 'reese revolution hitch' or 'sidewinder pin box' and you will get plenty of reading material.

Reese Revolution Wedge for short beds. Who's got one?

16 Replies

GPG52_
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2014
We have used the Reese Sidewinder model for over 4 years. From our experience we love it on our SB Dodge TV. Disadvantage: i) as mentioned before your hook up aim needs to be more precise. ii) backing the coach as a little different characteristic but easily enough to master. Advantage: I)your coach wheels tend to track closer to the rear TV wheels. II) no need to deal with a slider.
I blamed the occasional wind side sway on the fact that our KZ 1500 series was a lite unit with a high profile and not on the hitch. PS: I run with some (1/3) water in the fresh tanks giving it a lower center of gravity. Worked for us. GPG
C_Schomer
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
The first owner ordered the 5er we have now with a 5th AB SW cuz he had a SB. It's the same length as an ext. pin box and there's no difference in how it tows or feels. I used it for a couple of trip and it's a PITA to hitch with that tight fitting wedge but I guess there is an aftermarket that is tapered a little. My take on it is... it defeats the ease of hitching a 5er but it works like it's supposed to. I would definitely do some grinding on mine if I kept it on. My 2008 setup is the early design and there's 3 pieces. The turret, the arm and the 5AB hitch. I have a LB so I took off the turret and arm and built adaptors so I could move the 5AB back 10 1/2", bolt it to the 5er frame plates and delete the wedge. Don't worry about the strength of the pivot. It's built with brute material. I took mine apart in pieces so I could handle them and I couldn't see any wear. The bushing in the turret looks like EHMW. I lightened my RV 120 lbs - the weight difference between the pieces I took out and the adaptors I built. Craig
Shadow_Grey
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
No sway for me in cross winds. It travels real nice in all conditions.
ependydad
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Me Again wrote:
The weight is applied the truck the same as a normal pin box. The difference is that you have just changed the pivot point and created a lever that under some conditions, like heavy cross wind, might induce a little more sway/handling issues. The question is how much more.

Of the few dozen threads that I've read on this from other folks- I haven't ever heard anyone mention sway issues. But, I honestly don't read them that closely (long bed truck for me).
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 14, 2014
minnow wrote:
I watched a couple of youtube videos on the Revolution. Concerns I have is the weight of the pin is now rear of the axle. Concerned about all that weight being off the axle ? Also you'd need to carry a case of grease with you. I couldn't believe all the grease they slathered all over the thing.

The weight is applied the truck the same as a normal pin box. The difference is that you have just changed the pivot point and created a lever that under some conditions, like heavy cross wind, might induce a little more sway/handling issues. The question is how much more.

We are talking about shorter wheel base trucks to begin with, and they move the pivot point aft.

I drove a couple years ago from Phoenix to Palm Springs with 40 MPH winds all day on the side of the trailer. This setup would cause a bit more work for the driver under those conditions.

Chris
minnow
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
I watched a couple of youtube videos on the Revolution. Concerns I have is the weight of the pin is now rear of the axle. Concerned about all that weight being off the axle ? Also you'd need to carry a case of grease with you. I couldn't believe all the grease they slathered all over the thing.
ependydad
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
JEBar wrote:
they do work and perform as advertised .... the frustrating thing is, because of the wedge, you need to be lined up perfectly straight .... if you are a little bit off the pin box will pivot and you can't lock the hitch

Jim

From reading other forums, this is consistently what I've heard. People who have them like them, they're just a bit finicky to hitch up.
Shadow_Grey
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
You mean one like this???

Yea, they do work very well indeed.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 14, 2014
mikeh449 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
And do not expect it to tow as good as a normal 5th wheel that attaches over the axle or slightly in front of it. You are adding a lever and moving the pivot point back, so it will be more likely to induce a little sway into the truck, not as much as a bumper pull but some!

Chris

you are wrong I have one on my unit snd have not noticed any sway at all a friend of mine has a lb truck with 5er he drove mine he stated it handles just like his

So what grade did you get in HS Physics class? Chris
mikeh449
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Me Again wrote:
And do not expect it to tow as good as a normal 5th wheel that attaches over the axle or slightly in front of it. You are adding a lever and moving the pivot point back, so it will be more likely to induce a little sway into the truck, not as much as a bumper pull but some!

Chris

you are wrong I have one on my unit snd have not noticed any sway at all a friend of mine has a lb truck with 5er he drove mine he stated it handles just like his