Reese Airborne Sidewinder Ride Height Versus the Original Pin Box Height Slightly Nose High

Question:

Considering a Reese Airborne Sidewinder, but have heard some say that it can contribute to a nose-high situation. I am already slightly nose high given these new pickups 2017 F350 CCSB 4x4, with only 6 in of clearance on the bedrails and definitely dont want to add any more height to the king pin. How does the Reese Airborne Sidewinder compare with a stock Lippert 1621 in geometry? I understand that you have to mount it in the box so it will swivel. Any idea as to the difference in height between the swivel point and the king pin base plate?

asked by: Kent F

Expert Reply:

The Reese Airborne Sidewinder # RP61422 will have the exact same measurements from the king pin to your mounting holes horizontally but not vertically. Vertically you will add a couple inches due to the air bag. The # RP34FR would only add a difference in function, not in height. For either option, the Sidewinder will move the turning point back 22 inches, so it will lock your king pin into the hitch and then will have a turret that rotates 22 inches center on center.

The mounting bolts will be 7-7/8 inches horizontally on center and 2 inches vertically on center. The measurement from the center of the front row bolt to the center of the king pin will be 17-3/4 inches and to the back row 25-5/8 inches. The rise from the king pin to the first bolt, just like these other dimensions will be identical. The only thing that would change the height is the amount of air you add, but that will be a minimal difference.

The only way to change the trailer from being nose high is to add height to your axles. This can be done in a couple of different ways, but the most common is flipping your axles using an over-under kit like # K71-384-00 or # K71-385-00. This will increase your height by the diameter of your axle as well as the leaf spring stack height.

expert reply by: Jason S