Sidewinder Towing Characteristics and 2006 Chevy 2500 HD Towing Capacities
Question:
Since the Sidewinder moves the pivot point 22 away from the king pin tward the rear of the truck, would you notice more trailer sway similar to a tag-a-long trailer. I have a 2006 Chevy CC 2500HD with a 6 1/2 ft bed and would like to keep my over the rail tool box. I was looking at a slider hitch since I have a short bed truck, but am not sure if the hitch alone will allow me to keep the tool box. Also, I am looking at a trailer with a dry weight of about 12000 pounds. I think my truck is rated to pull 14200 pounds, but I am not sure if it is a good idea to get that close to the max. Should I be looking for a lighter, smaller trailer?
asked by: Chad B
Expert Reply:
I did some research on your 2006 Chevy Crew Cab 2500HD with a 6 1/2 ft bed. I found that this truck with the 6.0 liter gas V8 will be rated around 10,000 lbs, trucks with the 8.1 liter gas V8 and 6.6 liter Duramax diesel will be rated around 12,000 lbs and adding a properly rated fifth wheel hitch should boost the capacity.
If your truck has the Duramax diesel then you should be within the vehicles capacity, 14,200 lbs sounds correct, but you should make sure that you check your trucks specific towing ratings because different rear end gears and factory suspension options, like overload springs, will cause the tow ratings to fluctuate. You should also weigh your trailer, fully loaded and ready to travel, to determine the actual towing weight. As long as you stay below the manufacturers maximum rating of your truck and there are no aftermarket modifications, like a lift kit, that would reduce the towing capacity, you will be safe.
The design of the Sidewinder replacement pin box will actually promote better handling of the trailer, and reduce trailer sway. You will definitely be able to keep your tool box with a sidewinder pin box, as long as your trailer loft will clear the box when the trailer is hitched up in the bed. With the sidewinder you will also be able to use the other parts of the bed around the fifth-wheel hitch and below the trailer loft since the trailer will pivot on the sidewinder and the pin box will not be swinging in the truck bed.
To determine the correct Sidewinder for you trailer, you will need to determine the pin box manufacturer and model number that is on your trailer, and select the correct sidewinder from the chart in our informational article on the Sidewinder page, see link. For example the # RP61412 will fit a Lippert 1716 or 1116 bolt pattern.
