Is the Sidewinder Fifth Wheel King Pin Any Longer Than the Standard King Pin On Fifth Wheel

Updated 12/06/2011 | Published 12/05/2011

Question:

Is the sidewinder longer that the standard king pin? On my trailer the King pin stickes out infront of it by maybe 3 to 5 inches.

asked by: Jack G

Expert Reply:

The Sidewinder Fifth Wheel King Pin relocates the pivot point from the connection of the hitch and the king pin to the point where the pin box connects to the trailer, thus providing 22 inches of additional clearance between the rear of the cab and the trailer.

The Sidewinder will attach to your pin box on your fifth wheel and replace the standard king pin you have now. It will keep the king pin in the same location as your standard pin box. It is not any longer. The Sidewinder can also be used as a standard pin box if lock-out bolts are used at the pivot point.

The Sidewinder is model specific to the pin box, in order to choose the correct Sidewinder for you, you will need the pin box manufacturer and model number. This information will typically be located on a sticker or stamping on the OEM pin box.

I am including a link to a FAQ page that will have information on Sidewinders, and a table that list what sidewinder to use with what brand of pin box.

expert reply by: Jeff D