Does Adding a Sidewinder Increase the Weight Carried by the Truck
Question:
Would like to use and extender but my main concern, even before picking the one need is, - if I extend my pin box out does this increase the load reflected in my truck bed. I pull a 44 foot raptor with an F350 short bed and feel I am close to max for even this truck in bed loading. People tell me to install an extender for added clearance of my trailer that it will increase the load reflected on my truck. Do you agree and if so can this change be calculated should I pick out a King pin extension. Thanks and God Bless
asked by: David W
Expert Reply:
Yes, moving the trailer further from the hitch can increase the leverage applied to the hitch. However, with a Sidewinder only the pivot point of the trailer is moving not the actual trailer itself. The amount of weight that is at the hitch will be about the same.
The way a Sidewinder works is it does not allow the trailer to pivot at the king pin in the hitch. It uses a wedge on the bottom of the Sidewinder arm that fits against the king pin and between the two sides of the funnel so the trailer can't turn at the hitch. Instead it will turn at the turret part of the Sidewinder that is bolted to the trailer.
To see if there is a Sidewinder that will fit your trailer I will need to know the manufacturer and model number of the pin box itself. This information should be on a sticker or plate on the pin box.
