How Do Rotating Pin Box Wedge Kits Work And How To Choose The Correct One For Your Setup

Published 01/29/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Sidewinder Wedge Kit for Curt E-Series Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches

(55)

$52.14

Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(619)

$385.80

Question:

Sidewinder wedge questions. Does the wedge itself prevent the king pin from rotating inside of the hitch? It seems like this would take a lot of mechanical force to push against the king pin to prevent it from rotating. And wouldnt this rotation create two pivot points? Also, I have watched videos where you have to turn a dial to push wedge forward when hitching and then install a locking pin. Is this required everytime? Getting in and out of the bed of a truck seems like a lot of effort.

asked by: Steve C

Expert Reply:

Hi Steve,

The wedge kit is designed to prevent the king pin from rotating inside of the jaws to force the pivot point back to the turret of the Sidewinder for additional turning clearance. Most rotating pin boxes will come with a generic rectangular-shaped wedge kit to fit the variety of hitches on the market but there are specific fit wedge kits designed to spread this force out more evenly across the funnel of the hitch head. The wedge handle should only need to be adjusted on the initial installation. You'd couple up to the trailer and then turn the wheel until the wedge is fully pressed up against the funnel of the hitch.

In the attached video below that I made for the Curt E16 5th wheel hitch # C16115 I compared the available wedge kits and showed how each design compares to the funnel, how they attach to the pin box and setting the wedge wheel to the right spot. You'll want to choose your wedge kit based on the 5th wheel hitch and then make sure that it's compatible with your specific Sidewinder model.

expert reply by: Kevin C