I've had my 5th wheel with a sidewinder extended pin box for about a year and have never heard any noise until this last trip. On the way home we noticed a squeaking noise that sounded like something needed to be lubed while maneuvering in a parking lot. I was under the impression that the sidewinder does not need maintenance, am I mistaken?
Also, when hooked up to the truck the sidewinder "bends", for lack of a better word, at the swivel point. The gap in back increases and the gap at the front closes to almost nothing. Has this been everybody else's experience as well? My RV shop tech said it is how they are designed to work, but it just doesn't look right to me.
Thanks,
Joe
2008 Dodge Ram Mega Cab 3500, SRW
2007 Challenger 34BHQ
When that happened to mine, 5th Airborne installed a new washer in the turret. It made it much tighter and the screech went away. The new plastic like washer is a little thicker and larger diameter than the original. Looks like a lub disc. You can't rotate the turret by hand now but seems OK on the road. I'll bet they'd send you a new washer.
We picked up our 07 Challenger 29TRL last Nov.Dealer dropped it off cause I didn't have my tow vehicle yet.It came with the Sidewinder also.I was also under the impression that the sidewinder required little maintaince.After the first couple of trips this spring we started to hear a god awful sweaking squeel when turning , and everyone in the campgrounds would look.To me not the best feeling.And when hitched also saw the same space gaps you described on the turret arm.
I called Consequent Towing (spelling ?)and spoke to a woman tech rep,very nice and knowledgeable about the sidewinder , and explained the same issues as you and my dissatisfaction with it.
She sked what size my bottom disk was and I told her about 8in. diameter.She explained that they had a updated disk (12in.) diameter and that they are pre oiled and need no lube.Then she asked about the top metal bolt plate,( if it was flat or had 3 metal ribs on top, I told her it was flat.She said they had a upgraded top plate with the 3 metal ribs on top .Looks much stronger
So all in all they wound up sending me free of charge (under warranty) the updated bottom disk , the updated top plate and 3 new grade 8 bolts and lock washers and complete install directions. Taking my time took less than a hour to repace.Torque the top three bolts to 80 Ft lbs. She said the sidewinder would be hard to move by hand but after about 500 miles of breaking in it would move easier by hand.
Bottom line after replacing that stuff and cleaning the rest it still squeels terribley when turning ,still not happy ,and before and during every trip check the bolt torque.They seems to loosin a little and (must retighten)thus the front and rear gap difference.
Since my truck has a 8' bed I will be lookin to replace the sidewinder with the 5th Airborne for next years adventures taking care of the squeel and giving us a smoother tow as well.
Sorry long post but hope it helps "been there"
Any questions just ask.
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