Have a new 2015 Ram Dually short bed on the way to pull our 1990 Jayco 38'er. Currently have a 08 Dually with a Highjacker slider in and a 7920 pin box. I am letting the Highjacker go with the truck and getting a new hitch.My plan was a SuperGlide with the Ram picture frame adapter and probably switch to a 7910 air ride pin box.Then I got to looking as the air ride Sidewinder and it is a neat idea. My real like of it is a lighter hitch in the truck and no need for the picture frame adapter. My biggest problem is with the extra stress I could see it putting on the trailer. Probably not a big deal on a new trailer made for it but my 1999 Jayco originally had a straight down pin with no extension to the front at all. I can see the stress the 7920 pin I have on it now does, that is why I want to switch to the slightly shorter 7910. I worry about the stress from a Sidewinder, but I can see it's advantages.I have actually taken off the under belly of my Jayco to check on the pin box support. It is very beefy on the rear but the front of the box just has a C channel over the top for support. This is what I can see flexing going down the road with the 7920 pin box on it.

I'll be reading responses to your questions with great interest, as we are contemplating moving from a TT to a Fifth Wheel, and also have a short bed.I've been researching this and the arrangement I am contemplating installing is a Trailer Saver BD3 Air Hitch, and a plain Sidewinder (no air), as opposed to the 5th Airborne Sidewinder. The difference in cost between the Sidewinder and the Airborne Sidewinder is so great that I can buy a new Sidewinder plus plan to pick up a slightly used BD3 hitch and will come out spending less. Plus I feel that the BD3 will give me more air cushioning than the 5th Airborne Sidewinder.Good luck, and please let us know what you decide on and how it works for you.

I don't have any experience with the Sidewinder, but am very happy with the Demco glide pinbox and Superglide hitch combination.

I too was toggling all over the place on this decision 5 years ago. The heavy weight and price was hard to swallow of the SuperGlide, so I ended up getting a basic slider hitch, and I'm here to tell you that with 5 years of towing, I have never once needed to slide the hitch back to get out of a tight situation, not even close. So before you invest in a heavy, expensive hitch, I would first consider a simple slider hitch. Take it from someone who has backed into some tight campsites over and over.

MNRon wrote:I don't have any experience with the Sidewinder, but am very happy with the Demco glide pinbox and Superglide hitch combination.X2, I have the superglide and think it is the best. A simple slider, you have to know in advance before the situation requires it. With the superglide,it automatically slides you back on tight turns, either backing on turning. I donot have to think about it. And while most of the time I do not need it, it is there and no wories! As for the weight, I kind of appreciate the "extra" beef on the hitch, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling!

I have never used one, but saw the revolution pinbox by Reese and was impressed. Like the slider you don't have to do anything as it takes care of itself. I also like the idea that the fiver will react much like a trailer in that it will track the same as the vehicle instead of tracking inside. If I get in the market for a new unit I wil definitely consider it.

SuperGlide or Sidewinder | Good Sam Community

C_B_
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
MNRon wrote:
I don't have any experience with the Sidewinder, but am very happy with the Demco glide pinbox and Superglide hitch combination.

I've been using the same combination MNron for over 10 years.

That combined with E-Quaflex for a very smooth and jerk free ride.

C.B.
billkaufmann
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
Mopar_Mudder wrote:
Have a new 2015 Ram Dually short bed on the way to pull our 1990 Jayco 38'er. Currently have a 08 Dually with a Highjacker slider in and a 7920 pin box. I am letting the Highjacker go with the truck and getting a new hitch.

My plan was a SuperGlide with the Ram picture frame adapter and probably switch to a 7910 air ride pin box.

Then I got to looking as the air ride Sidewinder and it is a neat idea. My real like of it is a lighter hitch in the truck and no need for the picture frame adapter. My biggest problem is with the extra stress I could see it putting on the trailer. Probably not a big deal on a new trailer made for it but my 1999 Jayco originally had a straight down pin with no extension to the front at all. I can see the stress the 7920 pin I have on it now does, that is why I want to switch to the slightly shorter 7910. I worry about the stress from a Sidewinder, but I can see it's advantages.

I have actually taken off the under belly of my Jayco to check on the pin box support. It is very beefy on the rear but the front of the box just has a C channel over the top for support. This is what I can see flexing going down the road with the 7920 pin box on it.

I pull a 35' TH with a Ford short bed with the Sidewinder. It has worked great for me.
RustyJC
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
My last Jayco (a 2000 Designer XL 3610RLTS) came with a vertical pinbox, and Jayco was adamant that I could NOT swap for an extended pinbox due to frame limitations. I'm glad to see you're going with a SuperGlide; if you were still considering going with a Sidewinder, I would strongly recommend consulting Jayco before finalizing that decision.

(Sorry for the edit - my memory is going away, I guess. Our 1996 Jayco was a Designer 3030RKSS, which also had a vertical pinbox.)

Rusty
Shadow_Grey
Explorer
Jan 06, 2015
RustyJC wrote:
My last Jayco (a 1996 Designer XL 3610RLTS) came with a vertical pinbox, and Jayco was adamant that I could NOT swap for an extended pinbox due to frame limitations. I'm glad to see you're going with a SuperGlide; if you were still considering going with a Sidewinder, I would strongly recommend consulting Jayco before finalizing that decision.

Rusty

Rusty is correct there. Older straight down pin boxes cannot use the extended pins that late model campers use today.
Mopar_Mudder
Explorer
Jan 07, 2015
RustyJC wrote:
My last Jayco (a 2000 Designer XL 3610RLTS) came with a vertical pinbox, and Jayco was adamant that I could NOT swap for an extended pinbox due to frame limitations. I'm glad to see you're going with a SuperGlide; if you were still considering going with a Sidewinder, I would strongly recommend consulting Jayco before finalizing that decision.

(Sorry for the edit - my memory is going away, I guess. Our 1996 Jayco was a Designer 3030RKSS, which also had a vertical pinbox.)

Rusty

Yea that is what ours was originally I think, the straight box. Right now it has a 7920 extended box on it. I was going to switch that out to a 7910 that is a little shorter. Don't know if I want to go back to a vertical box.

Forum Discussion

SuperGlide or Sidewinder

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Superglide vs Sidewinder

Help...Reese Sidewinder / Revolution or Pullrite Superglide

Superglide killed my inner child! Slider or Sidewinder?

Reese Sidewinder

Reese Sidewinder Pinbox