Difficulty Unhitching Sidewinder From Reese Elite Series 5th Wheel Hitch

Updated 03/02/2015 | Published 02/27/2015

Question:

I have the Elite Series 5th wheel hitch RP30142 in the truck, and on the trailer, a Sidewinder RP61411. About 90 of the time, I cant get the hitch released unless I raise the trailer to where the Sidewinder has about a 1/4inch gap no weight on hitch. The truck and trailer are straight and level to each other. I raise the trailer to proper unhitching level with some weight still on the hitch. As I am pulling the release lever, I even have someone in the truck shifting from forward to neutral to reverse to try to rock it around the trailer is chocked in place, but most the time this will not work. I do not have a lube plate installed. Are there any adjustments, or ideas how to resolve? Thanks.

asked by: Kevin B

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my Reese representative, who had a couple of suggestions for you.

If the problem is that the jaws of the hitch keep slamming shut before you can pull the king pin free, Reese has a Technical Bulletin that addresses this issue, I'll forward the bulletin to you in a separate email.

Another possibility is that you might be using the wrong wedge on your Sidewinder. The Sidewinder comes with a universal wedge that fits many different hitch set-ups, but the wedge designed specifically for the Elite Series hitch, part # SWW-01 would be a better fit and would help prevent the Sidewinder from hanging up.

expert reply by: Mike L