Fifth Gear was created by veterans of the RV market who sought to create a safer, more comfortable, and easier fifth wheel towing experience. The result was the Fifth Airborne Air Ride King Pin Coupler, the Sidewinder and then the combination of the two-the Fifth Airborne Sidewinder. These products make for a much smoother ride and eliminate the need for getting out of the truck when maneuvering your rig with a short bed pickup.
The 5th Airborne premium fifth wheel air-ride coupler gives the smoothest ride possible. With it's built in air spring and shock absorber, the 5th Airborne acts as a buffer between the tow vehicle and the trailer, minimizing the challenges in the road. This significantly reduces the negative impact of vertical shock and the front to back jerking, called chucking. Aside from relieving stress on the trailer's frame and reducing vibration for the good of all its contents (tvs, computers, dishes etc.) the air-ride king pin benefits drivers and passengers with reduced fatigue and improved trailer towing safety.
Special Features
- Air spring and shock offer the smoothest towing experience
- Relieves stress on the coach frame and trailer contents
- Industry leading 60 percent reduction in forward and backward jerking (chucking)
- Industry leading 44 percent reduction in vertical shock
Additional 5th Airborne Premium Fifth wheel Air-Ride Pin Box Features
- Bolts on for an easy installation
- Air-Ride King Pin Coupler is custom designed for each coupler type
- No assembly required
- Capacity: 21,000 lbs.
- 3 year warranty
Sidewinder by 5th Airborne is the premium pin box coupler designed specifically for short bed pickups. It allows you to make up to 90-degree turns without exiting your vehicle, throwing a switch, or even pushing a button! Sidewinder's kingpin locking mechanism moves the truck and trailer's pivot position 20 inches rearward of the fifth wheel hitch in the truck bed. This allows for several great features: short bed pickups can now effortlessly handle up to a 90-degree turn with no contact between the truck's cab and the coach, hooking up and disconnecting the trailer can now be done at any angle, the trailer now tracks closer to the truck which means no more extra wide turns and more response when backing up, and lastly the extra clearance allows for full use of your truck's bed space for carrying fuel tanks, toolboxes and cargo. Best of all, it eliminates the need for a fifth wheel hitch slider and therefore the getting in and out of the truck cab whenever you want to maneuver the trailer.
Special Features
- Eliminates the need for a fifth wheel slider in short bed trucks
- Make 90-degree turns automatically and effortlessly
- Hookup and disconnect at any angle
- Closer trailer tracking for a better steering response
- Allows full use of truck bed
Additional Sidewinder Rotating Fifth Wheel Pin Box Features
- Bolts on for an easy installation
- Custom designed for each coupler type
- Capacity: 16,000 or 19,000 lbs.
- 3 year warranty
The 5th Airborne Sidewinder combines the proven vertical shock reduction and anti-chucking ability of the 5th Airborne air-ride coupler with the Sidewinder's nimble and quick turning design for short bed pickup trucks. The 5th Airborne Sidewinder acts as a buffer between the tow vehicle and the trailer which gives you the smoothest ride possible. The Sidewinder's unique design allows you to make up to 90-degree turns without exiting the truck, throwing a switch or even pushing a button.
Special Features
- Eliminates the need for a fifth wheel slider in short bed trucks
- Make 90-degree turns automatically and effortlessly
- Air spring and shock offer the smoothest towing experience
- Relieves stress on the coach frame and trailer contents
Additional 5th Airborne Sidewinder Air-Ride Rotating Fifth Wheel Pin Box Features
- Bolts on for an easy installation
- Custom designed for each coupler type
- Hookup and disconnect at any angle
- Allows full use of pickup bed
- Closer trailer tracking for a better steering response
- Capacity: 19,500 lbs.
- 3 year warranty
To move the pivot point from the fifth wheel hitch back to the rotating turret on the Sidewinder arm, a wedge is slid into the fifth wheel hitch with the king pin. This prevents pivoting at that location. Each Ffith Gear Sidewinder product includes a universal wedge that will work on most fifth wheel trailer hitches. Replacement custom wedges that are designed for specific fifth wheel hitches are available to make for an easier installation. Custom wedges are available for B&W, Colibert, Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Hi-Jacker, Husky, PullRite, RBW, Reese and Valley fifth wheel hitches.
Special Features
- The wedge is used to prevent the trailer from pivoting at its normal location
- Replaces universal wedge included with Sidewinder & 5th Airborne Sidewinder
- Designed for specific fifth wheel trailer hitches
Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch
(in truck bed) |
Universal Wedge Works? |
Cusom Wedge Number |
| B&W |
Yes |
SWW-05 |
| Colibert |
Yes |
SWW-08 |
| Hi-Jacker |
Yes |
SWW-04 |
| Holland |
No |
Free from 5th Gear* |
| Husky |
Yes |
SWW-04 |
| Owens |
Yes |
N/A |
Pro Series
by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese |
Yes |
SWW-02 |
| PullRite |
No |
SWW-09 |
| RBW |
Yes |
SWW-07 |
Select Series ("original" style)
by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese |
Yes |
SWW-03 |
Signature & Select Plus Series
by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese |
Yes |
SWW-01 |
| Valley |
Yes |
SWW-04 |
*Call Fifth Gear to receive a free custom wedge if you are towing with a Holland fifth wheel hitch.
