Community Forums

helopilot880 · 01-20-2020, 05:22 AM

When I bought our 5ver, due the PU having a short bed, we had a Sidewinder kingpin installed to assure cab/trailer clearance. I now have a PU with a longer bed so cab/trailer clearance is not an issue. To those who may have used both the standard and a Sidewinder kingpin, what are pro/cons of removing the Sidewinder and putting on the original 5th wheels kingpin? Is there a difference in connecting the two, is there a difference while backing up, do they tow differently (chucking, ability to use a plastic plate between the kingpin and receiver, etc)? Certainly there would be a difference in the maintenance of the two kingpins. I've heard a "standard" kingpin is easier to connect to the PU, bbut since I've only used the Sidewinder I do not know how much easier t would be. Looking forward to your thoughts.

old mechanic · 01-20-2020, 09:42 PM

I had a fifth wheel with a Reese revolution pin box. That is the factory installed version of the sidewinder. I liked it but it was a little harder to hitch up. You have to back straight into the hitch at the same angle that you unhitched so the wedge will enter the V notch. Also, for some reason, I was unable to use a lube plate because the jaws would not close. I had to use grease instead.
If you want to go back to a regular fixed pin box all you have to do is install the two 5/8" bolts in the back of the box to lock it from rotating. When you do this be sure to remove the wedge!

helopilot880 · 01-21-2020, 04:48 AM

Now that you mention it I do recall seeing a way to lock the Sidewinder pin. Maybe before I switch kingpins I'll try that. You mentioned the need to back straight onto the Sidewinder to hitch, which I admit, has been PITA many times. Do you happen to know how much of an angle you can back into the standard kingpin?

Scoobert · 01-21-2020, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helopilot880

Now that you mention it I do recall seeing a way to lock the Sidewinder pin. Maybe before I switch kingpins I'll try that. You mentioned the need to back straight onto the Sidewinder to hitch, which I admit, has been PITA many times. Do you happen to know how much of an angle you can back into the standard kingpin?

Have had both and a revolution on the current 5th. We keep is locked with the bolts now that we dont use the turning feature anymore.
You can go as far sideways and lock the pin as you need. If on flat ground in a parking lot, 90 degrees

old mechanic · 01-21-2020, 10:48 PM

If you have a standard tailgate on your truck you also need to be careful that you don't punch a hole in the front compartment with the corner of your tailgate if you have to back into the pin at an angle.

helopilot880 · 01-23-2020, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old mechanic

If you have a standard tailgate on your truck you also need to be careful that you don't punch a hole in the front compartment with the corner of your tailgate if you have to back into the pin at an angle.

You mentioned backing into the pin at an angle. Using the Sidewinder I have to back in almost exactly straight. Roughly how big of an angel can one back into a standard kingpin? Sounds like a standard kingpin is much easier to back into and hook up. Is a standard kingpin easier to back up the 5th wheel?

Bob_C · 01-23-2020, 05:54 AM

If you locked out your pin box, it'd be the same as a std pin box......and the angle of hitching up would not be an issue.....before I went to the slider, I had no problem as long as your hitch jaws can be set by the pin contact....a slider only gives one a 10 degree angle to work with.....