Will Using Custom Reese Sidewinder Wedge with 30047 Make Connecting Easier
Question:
I had one of the original Sidewinder in 2007, never an issue to hook or unhook. I now have another 5th wheel, so I wanted another Sidewinder. The new one has a bearing instead of the sleeve on the original. I have had trouble constantly trying to get hooked up, about 10-20 times backing into the hitch pin. The locking arm on my Reece 16K, #30047, needs about an inch to go the rest of the way in to lock the jaws around the king pin. I have been backing off the wedge all the way, then hooking up. Crawling in the truck bed under the Sidewinder and moving the wedge up into the throat of the hitch with the adjusting wheel made into the Sidewinder. Most times, I will have to pull forward and the backwards with the 5th wheel so I can get the wedge in far enough so I don’t have two pivot points. This is really getting old and I’m not happy with this situation now. I am using the wedge that came with the Sidewinder, so is there another wedge that would work better. I never had these issues with my older Sidewinder, so something has changed in the throat area preventing easier hook ups. The older Sidewinder wedge had larger guide wings, like the 30850. Could this be the issue, the smaller wings on the new wedge causing it to binder in the throat instead of guiding it in? The bolts are larger for the new universal wedge than the 30850. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
asked by: Tom M
Expert Reply:
Using a custom fit wedge with your Sidewinder will make your connect/disconnect much easier. Since you said you have the 30047 hitch the correct wedge would be the part # SWW-03 and you'd be set!
Products Referenced in This Question
5th Airborne Custom Wedge for Select Series Fifth Wheels
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel King Pin
- Wedges
- Reese 5th Wheel
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Sidewinder Wedge Kit for 20,000-lb Reese ELITE, M-Series, or ProSeries Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel King Pin
- Wedges
- Pro Series 5th Wheel
- Reese 5th Wheel
- Reese
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Dimensions Of The Replacement L-Pin For Equal-i-zer 4,000 Pound WDS
- Q&A: Wedge For Reese Revolution Sidewinder And A Reese M5 Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Q&A: Does Reese Sidewinder RP34FR Work With Reese M5 5th Wheel Hitch?
- Article: Sidewinder with Rotating Turret for Short Bed Pickups
- Q&A: Recommended 12v Refrigerator Replacement For A Norcold 1210 RV Refrigerator
- Q&A: 12V Cigarette Lighter Kit Recommendation for a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500
- Q&A: Recommended 5th Wheel Hitch For Reese Revolution Pin Box And 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 6.5 Foot Bed
- Q&A: Replacement RV Fireplace Options For an Innoflame Fireplace
- Article: Trailer Maintenance Schedule
- Article: How to Raise Your Travel Trailer Height
- Article: Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Information and Installation Tips
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Article: Best RV Roof Vents
- Article: Best Air Bag Suspension (2023)