Reese sidewinder question

[jeffh]

Hey everyone the wife and I are looking at our first 5th wheel 29.5 bhds. I'm towing with an 08 ram 3500 4x4 cc 6.7 ctd but its the short bed. Looking at maybe the sidewinder and B&W patriot hitch instead of an auto slider. Has anyone used a manual slide before switching to a sidewinder did it change the way the 5th wheel towed. I seen were moving the pivot point back makes it sway more from passing trucks more like a TT would.

Thanks for any info

[Cincinnati Kid]

Jayco uses the MorRyde Orbital brand of sidewinder as a factory option on smaller 5th wheels. We have one, and it seems to work great, but I don't have experience pulling a trailer, so can't say about the sway. I only notice a very slight pull from big trucks passing, but no more than I would feel without the trailer attached.

[Drbuley]

We have 2020 295bhds being towed by a 16 ram 2500. We opted for reece slide hitch in my 6.4 bed truck. My reasoning was simplicity. I wasnt opposed to sidewinder but in my eyes. The less moving parts, the less room for issues. Just my 2 cents

[Drbuley]

The slide doesnt change the pivot point as you only use rear position when backing up or REAL tight turn at which point your traveling slow. The newer caps all seem to have cut corners so that you can almost turn like 85 degrees in the forward towing position. That said, i dont feel any sway from passing TT units when i tow. Save your money on fancy hitch or pin box.

[jeffh]

It's more of a piece of mind thing I've been towing for short travel trailers for 15 years this is the first 5th and longest camper

Originally Posted by Drbuley

The slide doesnt change the pivot point as you only use rear position when backing up or REAL tight turn at which point your traveling slow. The newer caps all seem to have cut corners so that you can almost turn like 85 degrees in the forward towing position. That said, i dont feel any sway from passing TT units when i tow. Save your money on fancy hitch or pin box.

[bill3kirk]

I had the 5th airborne air ride / sidewinder (before Reese acquired them) on my 34' Cougar 5th wheel. It was great. Never had an issue with and it provided the clearance and ride I wanted with my shortbed truck. I also had a Reese slider hitch which I used so infrequently that I pretty much forgot I had the capability. And when I did use it prior to the sidewinder I found it to be a pain having to get out, slide, etc....

The airborne never had an issue and you don't have to remember to get out and move the slider. A plus in my book.

When I got my new 5th wheel I also had a new truck (long bed) so didn't need it anymore