Reese SideWinder pin box

[6Gun]

I'm getting my first 5th Wheel trailer (Dry Weight 7,500 LBS) and wanted to get some feed back on The Reese Side Winder Pin Box. I installed a 16,000 Pull Rite hitch (Non Slider) on my 2012 2500 Ram Maga cab.
I can find a lot of dealer information on the Side Winder but very little feed back from the people that have them.
Do you like the Side Winder, is there any bad points or things I should be aware of?
My new trailer will be here in about two weeks and I look forward to some good times. I have pulled TT with sway bars and that was enough to make your butt pucker on windy days crossing a bridge. I'm really hoping the 5th. wheel will pull a lot better but the suspense is killing me.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[kopy_kat]

DHCamper-be aware that if you have a factory revolution pin box you cannot change to a sidewinder because the sidewinder is wider than the 10" revolution- so it will not fit the Lippert hanger that the factory installed-

I have been all over this in the last week due to a shop damaging my revolution- and it's at least two weeks to get a replacement revolution pin box...

[DaYooper]

Makes me slightly worried on what to expect with our first fifth wheel we picked up this week. My dealer didn't install the wedge or remove the lockout bolts and I didn't realize it wasn't setup properly and was surprised how close the trailer came to the cab of the truck when I pulled into the storage yard. Luckily I didn't hit.

I moved the wedge pack today and will tow later in the week. I kept the 15/16 wrench in the basement, so if I need to remove the wedge and re install I can.

[Beaker]

There are many hitching discussions on the Forest River forum about hooking the Reese hitches.

I think I will wander over and check it out.

Something definitely wrong when I can drop the trailer, pull away 2 ft., back up, and can't rehitch.

SOP now.
Take off wedge.
Hookup.
Reinstall wedge.
Luckily, I can get both bolts in this way.

Much easier than backing up 20 times.

Maybe the problem is my hitch is 11 years old.

[Shadow_Grey]

C Schomer wrote:
I just bought an 08 Sunnybrook 5er from a friend and it has a 5AB/SW. I will pick it up later this month. He really likes it and he's going to put another one on his new Bighorn 5er. Different frame mfgrs and they won't interchange. I won't need it either cuz I have a LB. I don't know the frame mfgr (I forgot to look at that but I think it's a Dexter frame) but I measured the width and it replaced a 12.25" wide pinbox. FWIW, if anyone can use it, watch Craigslist Phx in about 1 month for a smoking deal. Craig

You can tell him to just buy the pinbox to fit his new one instead of the whole thing. You both could work out the deal between yourselves.

[C_Schomer]

I just bought an 08 Sunnybrook 5er from a friend and it has a 5AB/SW. I will pick it up later this month. He really likes it and he's going to put another one on his new Bighorn 5er. Different frame mfgrs and they won't interchange. I won't need it either cuz I have a LB. I don't know the frame mfgr (I forgot to look at that but I think it's a Dexter frame) but I measured the width and it replaced a 12.25" wide pinbox. FWIW, if anyone can use it, watch Craigslist Phx in about 1 month for a smoking deal. Craig

[DHCamper]

Beaker wrote:
I have only pulled twice with mine, 5AB Sidewinder, and really like it.

However, I have a problem hitching and just discovered why today. I am now going to try something to see if it works. I am not sure if the problem is on the pinbox side or hitch side.

There are many hitching discussions on the Forest River forum about hooking the Reese hitches. Mine loosened up after a dozen or so hookups and hitches well as long as I take time to make sure it is lined up more or less. Revolution works great and I am planning to upgrade to a 5th airborne next year.

[oldbiker7]

6Gun wrote:
I'm getting my first 5th Wheel trailer (Dry Weight 7,500 LBS) and wanted to get some feed back on The Reese Side Winder Pin Box. I installed a 16,000 Pull Rite hitch (Non Slider) on my 2012 2500 Ram Maga cab.
I can find a lot of dealer information on the Side Winder but very little feed back from the people that have them.
Do you like the Side Winder, is there any bad points or things I should be aware of?
My new trailer will be here in about two weeks and I look forward to some good times. I have pulled TT with sway bars and that was enough to make your butt pucker on windy days crossing a bridge. I'm really hoping the 5th. wheel will pull a lot better but the suspense is killing me.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I had a standard SideWinder on my previous 35' K-Z FW. It towed and turned as advertised - no issues with potential contact between cab and trailer. It does require that you are more precise when backing in to hitch up since the wedge that restricts movement at the hitch must fit in the head opening (you need to back in at the same angle that you pulled out when un-hitching). A standard kingpin/hitch is definitely easier. I also had issues with the nose of the trailer riding high but I can't say for sure if that was the fault of the SideWinder. I considered the 5AB SideWinder but Reese told me it would cause the nose to go even higher.

[Shadow_Grey]

I have the 5AB Sidewinder also and absolutly love it. It is so smooth. My dad followed us and said it seems like my trailer bounces a lot but I don't know if it really does or if he just isn't use to seeing a lighter combo. He has a 3500 CTD quad cab long bed with '13 34.5' Montana.

Did I say my truck rides SMOOOOOTH?

Really happy with the combo.

[heaterswa]

I like our 5AB SW. works well. Only complaint I may have is that the Durango runs nose high.
For trouble hitching, try releasing the air first. Hitch and then fill again.

-Bryan

[Beaker]

I have only pulled twice with mine, 5AB Sidewinder, and really like it.

However, I have a problem hitching and just discovered why today. I am now going to try something to see if it works. I am not sure if the problem is on the pinbox side or hitch side.