Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch Compatibility With Reese Sidewinder Pin Boxes

Updated 04/03/2023 | Published 04/01/2023

Question:

So I recently tried to hall a fithwheel for a friend and unknowingly he had a sidwinder pin box it destroyed my slide hitch he has the sidwinder reciever that came with his fithwheelandsidwinder pinbox will his reciever work for my standard pinbox or do I need to buy a new one

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Rotating pin boxes like your friend's Sidewinder are only going to work with fixed hitches along with a wedge kit to prevent the king pin of the pin box from rotating inside of the jaws of the hitch, moving to pivot point between the trailer and truck back to the turret of the pin box. Having multiple pivot points will end up either destroying the hitch or the pin box.

If you wanted to use a rotating pin box on a sliding hitch you would need to either lock out the pin box with the two lock out bolts in the back behind the turret or lock the sliding hitch into the towing position and use a wedge kit to lock it into the jaws.

Because of the Demco Autoslide's # DM8550034 design it's not compatible with a rotating pin box at all so you would have to lock out the pin box to have it switch back to a standard pin box in order to tow the trailer.

I don't know exactly what you're referring to by receiver but if you mean that you're wanting to use his fifth wheel hitch with your pin box then you'd just need to see how it attaches to the bed of the truck (puck system, base rails, gooseneck, etc.) and how much turning clearance it will offer you if it's used in a short bed truck.

If you want to send in some pictures and give me a bit more info on what you're trying to do then I'd be happy to assist you further.

expert reply by: Kevin C