Sidewinder problem

MainerBob,
is the torque of 110 ft/lbs. correct for your wedge? Mine calls for 150 ft/lbs.

I had the same problem on my old coach. Ended up welding a piece of 3/4 angle iron across the back of the pinbox opening. Bored a hole in it and installed a long bolt with lock nuts that pushes on the wedge. Fixed it for the last 4 years.

JimL

mountainsam wrote:
Do you have the universal wedge or is it specific to your hitch? I have had issues with mine but I put the right wedge on it and hope that's the end of it.
Much easier to hook up and unhook also.

I have the one specific for my hitch, but it still sort of works it's way loose.
I also found that the pin wasn't properly installed as my rig would crab walk for a few feet after making a sharp turn. The dealer never put lube in the proper places, so I took it apart and followed the install guide. I still can't move it freely by hand like I've seen some, but a slight hit with a chock and it moves if needed.
As the OP has a slider, he can always use the lock out bolts and remove the wedge to turn it into a conventional pin box.

Do you have the universal wedge or is it specific to your hitch? I have had issues with mine but I put the right wedge on it and hope that's the end of it.
Much easier to hook up and unhook also.

I have the same issue on mine.
I found that they are actually standard nuts, tacked in to the bottom plate. I fished around with a piece of brazing rod, but a coat hanger would work too. Once I got it close, a little coaxing, and I was able to tighten. I used locktite to keep it in place.
I talked to a rep from Reese at the Hershey show to see if I can use a hole saw through the top beam, but he was pretty sure it was double thickness in the area where I would need to drill.
The locktite didn't do much as I need to adjust periodically. To adjust I tighten the bolts slightly, hitch up and I use a part of a shovel handle to gently drive the wedge in place.
I then un hitch and pull forward enough so I can torque the bolts down.
I have only had to do this a few times a year.

If I understood correctly. The bottom side of the pin box where the Key attaches most likely has a piece of threaded flat stock that the bolts go into. Itso be necessary to reach inside the box and move it into place so the bolt will thread into it. My guess is that the under side of the pinbox is Hort heavy enough material to thread into it. BTW your profile indicates you have a slider. The sidewinder is meant to eliminate the need for it.