Anyone out there have more real world experience with it, problems ect. with this pinbox,I'm looking at a 2007 challenger with it on from the factory should I be concerned
* This post was
edited 11/17/07 09:15pm by 02super250 *
i have a sidewinder from the factory on an everest 33 foot and it works great for backing. makes it much easier to manuver. looks strange in a way but have pulled for thousands of miles over all kinds of rough roads with no problem. i have an air hitch in the bed which certaily relieves much stress on the pin.
I have one. I like it a lot, the only problem I have with it is alignment when you hook up. The truck/trailer alignment has to be almost perfect. Once you are aligned correctly it goes right in.
Experience with it has made hooking up a lot easier. What used to take five or six stabs is now done in one or two.
David Bachelder
Lake Jackson, TX
2006 2500HD Chevy D/A LLY Short Box
Sidewinder
36 foot Thor 5th Wheel
"I love the smell of diesel in the mornings"
agree with Dave B above - happy with product but the truck / 5er must be aligned almost perfectly ( not much give with that wedge ) - once you get the hang of it you can hitch up as easily as before ......
It gives us a death wobble on decreasing radius, down hill, turns while decelerating. The pivot is moved to the rear or the TV which gives it additional leverage to "push" the TV sideways/latterally. It induces huge sidewall flex to the point I expected a tire bead seat failure. Imagine your rig when making a moderate turn, the TV and rig are at some angle to each other. Then imagine the TV slowing faster than the rig, the rig tries to spin out the TV. To cure it I turn the trailer brake gain way up on the decents to stop the "pushing" effect. Problem solved. I can see somebody getting seriously hurt by this inherant flaw. Other than that it is awsome...
All things in moderation, except acceleration!
Zip ties, the duct tape of the new milenia!
2001 F250 Powersmoke turbo diesel, 3.73LS
Crew Cab, SRW, SB, 6 inch lift, Single 28 inch semi airhorn underneath! SCMT, A Pillar mounted, Pyro, boost and Trans gauges.
2005 Wildcat 29RLBS, Prodigy, 2 EU2000i's Draw Tite 18K Signature Series, front receiver, on board air, Airlift HD airbags
2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4, V8, 5sp AT, 3.73LS
2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bower 4X4, V8 5sp AT, 3.73LS, Dual semi air horns underneath
I have the 5th airborne with the sidewinder and love it. I have had it for about a year and have put almost 4000 miles on it. I have had no issues and have had to maneuver into some pretty tight areas and have gone up and down 6% grades with no problem. The above responses are correct on the fact that you do have to be lined up when connecting.
2007 GMC CC/SB Duramax/Allison 2500HD 4X4 SLT
2007 Crossroads Paradise Point PF30CK
5th Airborne sidewinder combo
16K Reese
Timbrens
Prodigy Brake Controller
2003 Parker 2520 pilot house
Have a 5th Airborne Sidewinder and love it. However, there is one caveat; you must have the proper wedge and it must be installed correctly. if in doubt, contact the manufacture. Complaints of noises, clunks, and irratic handling are often caused by problems with the wedge.
FWIW the wedge refered to above is bolted to the bottom of the sidewinder just behind the pin. It is intended to fill the "V" gap in the hitch saddle that guides the pin in to the hitch. It is intended to stop all movement of the pin box at the hitch, as with the non-sidewinder set up. The wedge is reversible, use of the wrong size will either be too loose and cause movement or if too large would not allow a good hitch.
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