Thought I would probably be okay with my setup, I had read of a ton of people with sliders that never used them. First trip out, dents on both sides of the cab. Now having parked in a few spots, I need something to make the turning better, no question about it, and it'll be worth the $1000 to get there. Some spots are flat out impossible to get into when you can only turn like 45 degrees...So;1. With the pivot now back almost to the bumper, am I going to lose any of the stability I gained by having a 5er?2. Any more difficult to hook up? as in back under.Anything else? Any comments?

We had one on the last 5er we had and it worked very well. Hitching can be a pain at times if you don't line up properly, but can be learned easily. As far as the wedge is concerned, a good torque wrench and tightening to the proper specs usually fixes any problems. And, no it doesn't put any more stress on the pin box than any other hitch. Ours was included from the Keystone factory.Keith

I loved mine. I just traded-in my 5th wheel but I had a Sidewinder and used it for over 5 years without any complaints. I absolutely recommend it. If/when I go back to a 5th wheel the sidewinder will be a required option.

I love all the experts that can tell you how bad the Sidewinder is for your trailer but have never owned one or use one. We had one on our last unit for 7 years with no issues at all. It worked great. We have some friends that have had one on their unit for three years now with no issues. As far as the comment about the wedge not staying in place I found that pulling the bolts, using Loktite and re-torquing them stopped that issue.

Hunter11 wrote:I love all the experts that can tell you how bad the Sidewinder is for your trailer but have never owned one or use one. We had one on our last unit for 7 years with no issues at all. It worked great. We have some friends that have had one on their unit for three years now with no issues. As far as the comment about the wedge not staying in place I found that pulling the bolts, using Loktite and re-torquing them stopped that issue.Yes on all you said... As soon as I read the post about bolts coming loose I made a mental note to add Loktite.

mfoster711 wrote:N-Trouble wrote:You don't have to use one to tell it WILL apply additional forces at the kingpin. Anytime you increase the length of a lever arm additional forces are going to be applied at the pivot point(kingpin). I think you (and others) are forgetting that most new 5th wheels already have extended king pins. If you are replacing an extended king pin with the Sidewinder, which is the same length, then there is no difference and no additional forces applied. If you replace the short king pin with a Sidewinder, or any other extended king pin, then you are applying additional forces to the frame. But, I think 95% of 5th wheels made in the past 5 years already have an extended king pin so most people are fine with the Sidewinder.100% agree

Sidewinder Hitch. Anyone have one? Any issues? | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

Shadow_Grey
Explorer
Jul 25, 2014
Careful with the Sidewinder, it puts a lot more upward torque on the pin box than it was probably designed to take. (Think about it - you are moving the support point a couple of feet forward of the current pin, so it you have a 2000# pin weight you are subjecting your pin box to 4000lb/ft of torque)
You might want to check with your trailer manufacturer to make sure the frame can handle the extra twisting force.

Yea, I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you on that one.

Why would it be any different that a solid one? The only affect is the twisting on the plate and if you have it set up right, (tightened and lubed up properly) you are not over stressing anything that they are not already designed for. If my 5th wheel turns that hard that the plate or arms are over torqued and bend or twist, there are other things I am doing wrong besides using the sidewinder.
kaydeejay
Explorer
Jul 25, 2014
afishinado wrote:
Thought I would probably be okay with my setup, I had read of a ton of people with sliders that never used them. First trip out, dents on both sides of the cab. Now having parked in a few spots, I need something to make the turning better, no question about it, and it'll be worth the $1000 to get there. Some spots are flat out impossible to get into when you can only turn like 45 degrees...
So;
1. With the pivot now back almost to the bumper, am I going to lose any of the stability I gained by having a 5er?
2. Any more difficult to hook up? as in back under.

Anything else? Any comments?
Careful with the Sidewinder, it puts a lot more upward torque on the pin box than it was probably designed to take. (Think about it - you are moving the support point a couple of feet forward of the current pin, so it you have a 2000# pin weight you are subjecting your pin box to 4000lb/ft of torque)
You might want to check with your trailer manufacturer to make sure the frame can handle the extra twisting force.
lawrosa
Explorer
Jul 25, 2014
just my opinion but spend the $1800 bucks on the superglide from pull rite... Youll be saving yourself a lot of hassle with the complicated airbourne system..

http://www.pullrite.com/products/isr-series-superglide-industry-standard-rails

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIJfudJT_mAAH4_7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=best+5th+wheel+slider&vid=579302b57975ecc72223eea6ba5d3412&l=1%3A16&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608035655576912944%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdHPrluyGnTw&tit=The+Proven+%3Cb%3E5th+Wheel+%3C%2Fb%3EHitch+Solution+Short+Bed+Truck%2C+Trailer&c=0&sigr=11acd7vfa&sigt=123hnfbvu&age=0&&tt=b
gasholic
Explorer
Jul 25, 2014
I have a Sidewinder hitch, when I can keep the block in place it works fine. After about 200 miles the block will work back letting the arm move about 2" at the turret, witch gives an oversteer. I am going to try grade 8 bolts and see if that helps. Any other ideas?

You MUST be straight with the arm when hooking up and don't hit it to hard

gas
Shadow_Grey
Explorer
Jul 25, 2014
I have one and use it with the shortest bed (5.5') out there with no problems. Love the 5th Airborne action too. Soooo Smooth!
DesertFiver
Explorer
Jul 25, 2014
Have had one for 5 years and glad I did. I got rid of the slider and havn't look back.
I have got into situations that required a tight U-turn and it worked great. If I upgrade I'll either order with it installed or buy and install myself.

1. NO stability problems!
2. The one and only problem is that you have to back up/connect exactly straight. This is because of the block used to lock hitch to pin.

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Sidewinder Hitch. Anyone have one? Any issues?

26 Replies

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