Sidewinder Pin Box

[ddphillips52]

I am considering going to a Sidewinder pin box on my Mesa Ridge 347RES. Doing this to eliminate the need for a slider hitch. Already have the marks on the truck to prove to me that I really need it! Looking for opinions. Is the air ride sidewinder worth the extra money over the standard one? Anyone using one or the other to render an opinion?

[magic43]

I have had the standard Sidewinder for a couple of years. I am completely satisfied with the towing, backing, and hitching up.

[heaterswa]

I'm very happy with our setup. I have only pulled with this since it was new so there was nothing new to get used to like others have said. But having a tilting front to back and side to side was an important feature the hitch should have.

-Bryan

[xtech]

Too follow up on 2018LMs post, I having pulled same 5th with normal pin box and now the sidewinder find that when entering a fairly sharp curve at speed it will give a push sideways on the truck that I never felt with normal pin box. This makes sense as pivot point is 22 inches to rear of axle and can leverage the truck. Never notice anything different except in that situation and am used to it now, but when first felt it it was startling. One of the best things about the sidewinder is how the 5th tracks more like a trailer so don't have to make such wide turns.

[ddphillips52]

Thanks for the heads up. I have a Husky 16 KW so, hopefully, no hitching issues.

[GPG52_]

Just a follow up to those who commented on "getting use to the challenge of hooking on with a Sidewinder"
I totally agree, my first set up was with a standard 16K Husky fifth wheel and Reese Sidewinder. Unless you were properly lined up it was a challenge to hook up and sometimes even to un-hook.
Had my KZ - Dodge combo in for regular 1 year inspection, unrelated to my work order the dealer came out and asked to inspect my hitch..
Bottom line he threw out my existing static fifth wheel and installed a new Husky 16K-W, this new hitch is an articulated fifth wheel, allowing it to tilt front to back and side to side.
BINGO... no further hitching or un-hitching problems with the Sidewinder... no more binding issues...100% cured.
Cost to me: $00.00; dealer did not charge me anything... we are very lucky to have such a great dealer, he has been their for us on a few other warranty issues. Yep, went back to the same dealer when we traded up our unit.
Hope this helps.
GPG
PS:

[ddphillips52]

Thanks for all the responses. looks like the Airborne Sidewinder is the one for me when we go full timing next year.

[2018LM]

I have a story to share that I have not seen on here before.

I used to have a 2011 Ford F150 with the Ecosboost and heavy towing package. The yellow sticker on that truck said my payload was 1944 lbs. I never towed with a tailgate, so my payload was closer to 2000 lbs. I had LT tires on the truck, aired up to maximum, and timbrens on the suspension to eliminate bounce in the suspension. I had a B & W Patriot hitch.

I also had a Rockwoood Ultra Lite fifth wheel with a dry pin weight of 1100 lbs. It came equipped with a sidewinder hitch. I replaced the original "C" rated tires with Maxxis "D" rated tires, and those were also aired up to maximum.

I was driving down a flat, straight desert road, two lanes in each direction. Just me in the truck. I was driving in the slow lane, cruise control set at 60. I saw a small white car behind me, in the fast lane, going faster than I was, and would obviously overtake me within a minute or so. Next time I looked back, he was right beside my trailer, and he suddenly swerved directly at me. I reacted by quickly swerving to the right, and avoided a collision. My swerve induced a tremendous sway in the trailer. I had to make huge corrections with the steering wheel to stay on the road. I was sure that the truck and trailer were going off the road and going to roll over. I was glad I was in the truck alone. I backed off the gas, intending to slowly reduce speed, and hoping that would correct the sway. It did not. After about 3 horrific undulations, I tapped the trailer brakes, and everything straightened out. When I arrived at my destination, things inside the trailer were a mess. Looking at the sidewalls on the trailer tires, I could see that the edges were scuffed. The sidewalls of those tires were on the pavement for a brief period.

I do not think this sway would have been possible if the pivot point on my hitch was directly over the axle. It was only possible because the sidewinder moved that pivot point quite a bit to the rear of my axle. I absolutely LOVED my sidewinder setup originally, but never felt safe with it after this experience.

Having read this forum for about a decade, I can imagine the various responses my story will receive, and that is just fine. I've driven trucks and pulled trailers for many years, and this was a very significant event for me that I wanted to share.

mike

[xtech]

I have the Reese airborne sidewinder and love it too. The airborne part makes the ride much better especially on rough highways or going over bridges and railroad tracks etc. no more hard hammering on the truck and trailer.

[Lost_Traveller]

We have the standard Reese Sidewinder. Love it! Once you get past the learning curve of hitching up, it's a breeze.

Lost Travellers,
Bruce and Connie

[High5er]

I am a huge fan of the sidewinder. And yes, If you want to go extra nice get the Reese Airborne sidewinder (A bit more $$$) I will note that there is a learning curve hooking them up but it's definitely worth the trade off. Never worry about a corner again! 🙂

I own the Airborne and love it!!

[GPG52_]

Like Dave & Sue
I had a Reese Sidewinder on my KZ/Dodge Megga Cab combo and it worked wonders.
Initial set up had a sliding 5th wheel but it hit the tailgate when backing up.
Love the Sidewinder.
GPG

[Dave_and_Sue]

Had a sidewinder on my last 5er.Love the pin box.Pulled with a 5 1/2 'bed.Never a problem.You couldn't hit the cab if you tried.You could hit the side of the truck on the corners,but never the cab.Towing was easy and the ride on the non air sidewinder was great.