How to determine the Correct Sidewinder for a Lippert Pin box on a 2007 Forest River Wildwood

Published 02/09/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3132)

$594.12

Question:

2007 forest river wildwood- 29BHBS having trouble finding the correct number on the lippert pin box, the only numbers on it is vin 4x4fwde257a240590 and number LCI 300613630. I will be pulling it with a 2007 ram 3500 mega cab 6.3 bed. What would you recommend, a sidewinder or a pullrite?,Thanks for all the helpful information. We have narrowed down our selection to the following and would like your honest opinion as to weather or not its worth it to spend the extra 500 for the air ride. Our choices are the following items, Sidewinder Fifth Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret ST200-SW16K, or 5th Airborne Premium 5th Wheel Air Ride King Pin w/ Sidewinder and Turret, ST200-5AS16K. Usage will be using the camper roughly 2x/month during the season.

asked by: Earl

Expert Reply:

To select a Sidewinder with Rotating Turret for your 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab with 6.3 foot bed, you will need to find the pin box model number or take measurements to determine the correct turret for your trailer pin box. I have posted a picture for you to see the measurements that need to be taken. You will most likely need the Sidewinder Fifth Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret, item # RP61412, that you selected or the, item # RP34FR, Sidewinder for your trailer with a Lippert pin box. The dimensions on the page are for these Sidewinder products and the colors match the part numbers at the bottom of the page.

I would select the sidewinder over the Pull-Rite hitch for one simple reason. The Pull-Rite hitch depends on the slide to move the trailer far enough away from the vehicle to prevent damage. With a Sidewinder the king pin cannot pivot close enough to the vehicle cab to cause damage and you do not have to worry about road debris or anything in the bed of the truck interfering with a sliding mechanism.

You will need to contact Forest River to find out if Sidewinder or Pull-Rite products are recommended for use with your trailer pin box also.

expert reply by: Robert G

click to enlarge

Earl

2/9/2011

Bob G.

2/9/2011

I would select the 5th Airborne Premium 5th Wheel Air Ride King Pin w/ Sidewinder and Turret, item # RP61422, because of the air ride bag in the coupler. This bag is adjustable for ride comfort, it adjusts with air pressure and can be adjusted forward and back to get just the right setup for your truck and trailer. If you have air bags on the truck suspension, you should go with the Sidewinder Fifth Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret, item # RP34FR, without the air ride system, because the air bags on the truck will work against the air bag in the coupler and cause ride issues. If you would like to go with the more economical # RP34FR, and see how the ride works out, you could always add air ride suspension to the rear of the truck later if you find that the ride is less than acceptable. We usually do not have issues with the sidewinder and ride on vehicles, but from the customers I have spoken with, the air ride coupler definitely operates more smoothly than the standard sidewinder and is worth the extra expense. Firestone and Super Springs rear suspension air bags that will work on your 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab with 6.3 foot bed are linked for you and, I have also provided a link to all of the rear suspension enhancement products for your truck.