Sidewinder with Rotating Turret for Short Bed Pickups
Sidewinder Summary:
Now you can tow a fifth wheel trailer with a short bed pickup WITHOUT a slider hitch. AND it is now possible for pickup trucks with beds shorter than 6 feet (such as Ford Super Crews) to tow a fifth wheel trailer. You can use the clearance formula at the bottom of this page to see if a Sidewinder will work for you.
When towing with a standard king pin, the fifth wheel trailer turns or pivots where the king pin is connected to the hitch. With the sidewinder, the truck and trailer are prevented from pivoting at the hitch, instead the pivot point is located up to 22" closer to the tailgate, creating much more space in between the truck cab and trailer on sharp turns. This extra space also becomes available for more cargo such as toolboxes which couldn't fit before. And the new pivot point makes the trailer track better behind the truck for even easier towing.
The Sidewinder is available in 3 different versions - the Standard 16K with 20" length, the heavy duty 19K with 22" length, and the Fifth Airborne Sidewinder with Air-Ride 19.5K with 22" length. The Fifth Airborne Sidewinder allows you to get the beneifits of both the Sidewinder and Fifth Airborne Air-Ride king pin.
How the Sidewinder Works
- Sidewinder Pivot Point - 20" to 22" behind the king pin (depending on the sidewinder arm)
- Rotating Turret - king pin specific, it attaches to the pin box on the trailer
- Universal King Pin Locking Wedge (not pictured) - prevents pivot at fifth wheel hitch
- Fifth Wheel King Pin - attaches to the hitch in the truck bed for towing
- Sidewinder Arm - is universal and available in 3 styles (16K, 19K and 19.5K w/air-ride)
What We Need to Know When Choosing a Sidewinder:
- Trailer King Pin type - The Sidewinder couplers are custom designed to replace the standard king pins on trailers, so we'll need to find out the part number of the pin box (king pin) on the trailer.
- Most king pins will have the pinbox number listed on a sticker or it will be stamped on the king pin itself. If it's not there or worn out, the customer will have to call the trailer manufactuer with their vin or serial number to have them provide the coupler type.
- Because the turrets are custom designed, they simply bolt in place of the existing king pin - no drilling required
- Existing hardware can be used when installing, but new grade 8 bolts are recommended
- Fifth Wheel Hitch Type - A universal wedge is included with the Sidewinder that will work on nearly all fith wheel hitches. The exceptions are Holland and PullRite brand hitches but custom wedges are available for these models (sold separately)
- Custom wedges are available for most fifth wheel hitch brands, but are not necessary
- Note:It is not recommended to use a Sidewinder with the Curt Q5 or B&W Companion
- Curt Q5 - because of the extra movement from the cushioning in the Curt Q5 fifth wheel hitch, the Sidewinder will not function properly
- B&W Companion - the fifth wheel that mounts in the gooseneck hole - the hitch itself will rotate when using the Sidewinder creating 2 pivot points and therefore a loss of trailer control. To fix you can add (2) 1/2", grade 5 bolts to the rear support to keep the hitch from rotating but this may void the B&W warranty.
Clearance Formula for Sidewider:
Use the formula below to ensure there will be enough space between your truck cab and trailer when executing a 90-degree turn.
(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab
B = Length of Sidewinder arm (16K = 20", 19K = 22", 19.5K = 22")
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
For example: With the 16K arm, if the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab is 36", 36" + 20" = 56". If your fifth wheel trailer is 102" wide, take half (51"), then plug in: 56" - 51" = 5" of clearance.
Needed Accessories:
- Air compressor (only on Fifth Airborne Sidewinder w/Air-Ride) - the air bag in the king is adjustable and will need to be filled from time to time
- Standard schrader valves are used and they are easily accessible on the Fifth Airborne Sidewinder Air-Ride coupler.
Help
Fifth Airborne Sidewinder ComparisonFifth Wheel Help
Information about Fifth Wheel HitchesFifth Airborne Replacement Trailer King Pin by Fifth GearSidewinder with Rotating Turret for Short Bed PickupsCompatability of Fifth Wheels on Truck Beds Shorter Than 6 FeetProper Lubrication of Sidewinder ProductsQuestions and AnswersRecent Fifth Wheel Questions and Answers
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Question:
can a fifth wheel hitch be put in a 2007 Chevy Avalanche
asked by: Lee last update: January 5, 2009
Reply:
Although the use of a Sidewinder would extend the pivot point to the rear to allow more clearance, the side accent pieces that angle from the top of the bed rail to the roof of the truck would prevent you from being able to tow a fifth wheel trailer.
reply by: Mike
Question:
If you had to choose between a Reese Dual pivot fifth wheel or a Hijacker Dual pivot fifth wheel, which one would you pick and why?
asked by: Russell last update: December 31, 2008
Reply:
I am not all that familiar with the Hijacker product, so I've had to do some research. When comparing price vs. features, the Reese Select Plus seemed to be comparably priced to the Hijacker models I looked at. You don't mention what capacity hitch you need, or which model you were interested in. The Reese Select Plus is available in the 18K capacity, while Hijacker offers several models in 16 or 21K. Long story short, I wasn't really able to compare apples to apples. Probably the 2 big impressions I get in favor of this Reese product is the size/shape of the head and the funnel area and the jaw locking mechanism. The head on the Reese hitch has a very large surface area which helps provide for greater stability, the extra wide funnel will aid in making the hitching operation a little easier. (Let's face it, sometimes it's difficult to get that king pin to go in there!) The Reese product uses a single piece jaw that actually wraps around the the King pin, which in my opinion would hold more securely than the single bar that the Hijacker uses. Another nice feature of the Reese is the integrated grease fitting which takes some of the guesswork out of lubricating the moving parts of the hitch. If you are looking for something that's more economical, Reese offers the Pro Series 15K model. It lacks some of the extra features of the Select Plus, but it's a great hitch.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I have a GMC 80 bed and need a extension pin box. My fifth wheel gvw is 16,000. What box would I Need. The present Box is 12 wide and the two rows of bolts are 7 7/8 apart with 2 bolt spacing. The bolt size is 5/8. The Present hitch is 9 1/8 from center of first row of bolts to center of hitch pin. It is a Mor/ryde.
asked by: James last update: December 31, 2008
Reply:
We have several extended pin boxes to choose from. To choose the correct one, we'll need to know the manufacturer and model # of your existing pin box. This information should be listed on a sticker or stamping somewhere on your pin box. You mention Mor/ ryde, is that the manufacturer of what you currently have?
reply by: Mike
Question:
Would you recommend a single pivot fifth wheel or a dual pivot fifth wheel? The truck is an 08 Chev 2500Hd and the camper has a GVW of 11400 lbs. We would typically be going to many different campgrounds and moving a lot. Is the dual pivot worth the extra dollars?
asked by: Russ last update: December 29, 2008
Reply:
Are you asking about the pivot on the head unit? I believe the models that have the greater range of motion (dual pivot) are well worth the premium in price. When you are trying to hitch or unhitch the fifth wheel on ground that isn't perfectly level, the extra leeway that the greater range of motion offers will be really appreciated.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I have a 2007 GMC 2500 Duramax 8bed, and a Hallmark 9 popup. For winter use, and occasional longer outings, I am considering the purchase of a 5th wheel, perhaps about 25. What difficulty and length of time will I incur to remove the 5th wheel hitch for mounting the camper, and in the re-installation for the trailer? Are some hitch options more appropriate? I have seen horse trailers and construction trailers with a hitch that appears to recess in the bed of the truck, but I have zero experience in this area.
asked by: Wayne last update: December 22, 2008
Reply:
There are two different fifth wheel mounting systems that are available. The standard mounting system uses rails that sit on the surface of the truck bed, and are bolted through the bed to the mounting brackets that attach to the truck's frame. The hitch itself mounts to these rails using pins and clips. The hitch is easily removable, but the rails would remain in the bed, and would rise about 1 inch above the surface of the truck bed. I don't know if that one inch would interfere with the installation of your camper. The other option is the Signature Series mounting system. This system uses 'power pucks' for the hitch to mount to, which only protrude 1/2 an inch above the bed surface. The beauty of this system is that when the hitch is removed, you have full use of the bed, all mounting hardware is under the truck bed itself. I believe the hitch that you are speaking of is a gooseneck hitch. These hitches are primarily used for agricultural or commercial use, not for recreational type equipment.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I have a F-150 2007 with a 5 1/2 bed. I have a Reese KwikSlide 16K hitch already installed in it.. I want to put a sidewinder on it. The clearance ratio looks good. What problems do you think I might incur?
asked by: Brian last update: December 16, 2008
Reply:
As long as the clearance looks good with the slider in the Forward position so that the king pin falls in front of the rear axle, the Sidewinder should work great for you. You'll want to make sure that you DO NOT tow with that slider slid back toward the rear of the truck bed.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I just boght a 1994 dutchman 32ft long 8 ft wide and ground up 11 ft tall. I am so new at this and i need coaching. what tipe of vehicle should i buy. I was thinking of an old f 150 crew cab but i am still not sure. and how do I know what type of fifth wheel to buy
asked by: Oscar last update: December 15, 2008
Reply:
I'd recommed a 3/4 ton truck at a minimum (F 250). When we're talking about fifth wheel trailering, bed length is important, as well. A full size (8 foot) bed is the best choice. Otherwise, you'll need to go with a slider or a Sidewinder rotating pin box (if your bed is shorter than 6 feet.) Fifth wheel hitches are sold by their weight rating, so you'll need to know the weight of your trailer to choose the hitch with the proper weight capacity.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I have a 2001 GMC 2500 HD Diesel 4 x 4 Short Box Ext Cab truck. I have a Hijacker SL 16 Double Pivot 5 th Wheel hitch. We purchased a 2007 Keystone Challenger CKQ35 5 th Wheel trailer with a Sidewinder Hitch. Just after we purhased the trailer we took it to Arizona. A couple ot times, when in an outturn, or inturn, the hitch seemed to bind in the turn, and jerk the truck. I assumed that the hitch was new, and needed to break in. We have used it all of this year, and it seems to be getting worse, and is binding on each turn that we take. This happens even when going aroung the block. I cannot see where the hitch is hanging up on the truck hitch. Can it be hanging up on the Wedge? It turns freely when not connected, but, on our last trip, the hitch seemed to bind on a corner, and I nearly lost control of the vehicle. I have it at my dealer now, but i would like to know what may be causing this problem. I like the hitch, and do not want to go back to a conventional hitch.
asked by: Martin last update: December 10, 2008
Reply:
It sounds as if you might not have the proper wedge for you hitch model. The wedge is intended to prevent any movement at the king pin. The only swivel that should be occurring is at the turret, where the pin box meets the trailer. It might be helpful to have somebody follow you in a car or on a bicycle (if it occurs at slow speeds) and have them watch the hitch/ trailer connection and see if they can observe any movement at the point where the kingpin meets the hitch. Can you observe any scratching or damage to the wedge, the Sidewinder, or the hitch? Please respond and let me know what you find.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I have a 2007 nissan tittan short bed I would like to put a 5th wheel in it. which do you recamind I have shops telling me they can put in a slider and some saying it cant be done. can you help. The truck is an 4x4 le crew cab.
asked by: Cecil last update: December 10, 2008
Reply:
How long is the bed? A slider won't work in a bed shorter than 6 feet because even when the hitch is slid back to the rearmost position, there still won't be enough clearance between the rear of the cab and the front of the trailer. The best way to go would be to use a Sidewinder rotating pin box. The Sidewinder relocates the pivot point from where the hitch connects with the king pin several inches to the rear to the point where the pin box connects to the trailer.
reply by: Mike
Question:
i have a 02f350 superduty with the 7 1/4 foot bed. i am aware that the kingpin should be mounted above or in front of the rear axle. would mounting the king pin behind the rear axle cause any stablity or sway problems? i am not concerned about the added weight to the rear of the truck because i have installed airbags for extra load capacity. just want to know if it is highway safe. my king pin weight is 2,300 lbs on a 35 camper 8,500 lbs total.
asked by: Mothman last update: December 10, 2008
Reply:
The main problem with mounting the hitch so that the kingpin falls that far back in the bed is that having all that weight behind the rear axle would lighten the load on the front axle to the point that steering control might be compromised (not a good thing!) A much better alternative would be to use a hitch with a slider or a Sidewinder rotating pin box.
reply by: Mike
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