Does Sidewinder Pin Box Make Reversing Easier or More Difficult

Updated 03/27/2018 | Published 03/26/2018

Question:

hello i purchased a 2008 5th wheel from a dealer the sidewinder came with the trailor,they didnt tell me or show me how to back it up and when i tried to back it it jack knifed. i had a hell of a time trying to back it up. can you help.yours very truly mark

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

Backing up a trailer with a Sidewinder pin box would be basically the same as backing up a trailer with a standard pin box. If anything people claim the Sidewinder allows for an easier backing up experience since the pivot point is moved back. You would have had to been in an extremely tight turn to jacknife a trailer with a Sidewinder.

If you fast forward to the 2:30 mark of the video I attached below you'll see a Sidewinder get connected to a fifth wheel hitch as well as disconnected. There's also some shots of the Sidewinder being towed with too.

expert reply by: Jameson C