Stiff Reese Airborne Sidewinder

[Pickup jockey]

What is acceptable stiffness of a Reese Airborne Sidewinder - right to left ?
It takes just about everything I got to move it a few degrees in either
direction. ( TV has no problem, no weird noise when in use). I have used
white grease spray seen in some posted videos , but am I missing something
in the lube requirements? There is no loose points( the opposite). The TT does
about 800 miles a season(2011 model ). Being this tight I don't think that
the center turning bushing is shot. All $.02 gratefully accepted .

[Jim Smyth]

I have only used one about 5 months and had no problem moving it side to side. My 5th wheel was brand new at the time. I believe thiers a huge Castle nut that is on a shaft with a cotter pin through it berried in there. I never had a need to find it. May need to be loosened a bit. I would assume with use it would loosen up but it seems too tight from the get go.

[Pickup jockey]

Must be another model; I have a 4" shaft inserted into a tube held up by a
cap bolted on by four bolts. My unit has already 7 yrs. of service and has
tighten up; not slacken over time. Like you I would have assumed the
opposite.

[Jayco321RSTS]

The big castel nut is used on the Reese Revolution. The Sidewinder uses the 4 bolt on the top. I have owned both types and they both need to be rebuilt after a while with the kit. I pull mine apart and lubricate every couple years. Here is a link to the Reese video which shows how to install the kit and lubricate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suf0ieHbsH8

Dan