Troubleshooting Coupling Issues With A Reese Sidewinder Pin Box And Reese 5th Wheel Hitch
Question:
Good day to you Kevin The 15K or is it the 16k dual claw Reese hitch and Sidewinder 20K are both brand new The dual claw operates perfectly every time when nothing is hitched It's impossible to have both units perfectly level every time from campsite to campsite There has to be some type of give The witch plate on it looks to be the proper one it was installed by the dealer and looks like it showed on the picture I can take pictures of it tonight and send to you if that's any help to confirm that I have the right wedge plate Should there not be some type of give on the angles a little bit seeing how the kingpin box has full 3d motion so it should be able to pretty much self-adjust to the other would it not
asked by: Louis D
Expert Reply:
There are a few options to help ease your Sidewinder's coupling with your Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30047:
1. Make sure that your trailer is level. This will ensure that the king pin is going in straight. The jaws of a hitch are usually pretty forgiving but can bind up if the king pin is off center too much.
2. You can use a lube plate like # RP83002. This helps the king pin slide into hitch with ease and also helps prevent scratches to the skid plate.
3. Lube the jaws of the hitch. You can use some white lithium grease like # L11354 to help grease the jaws to make operation much smoother.
4. Make sure the jaws are fully opening when the handle is pulled back. You could have a worn spring or gear causing the hitch to malfunction. I the spring is the issue you can replace it with # 30776, if a gear is the issue then you would need to replace the head of the hitch with # RP58146.
5. Ensure you're using the correct wedge kit for your hitch. For the # RP30047 you'll need # SWW-03.
Products Referenced in This Question
LubriMatic White Lithium Grease - 14 oz. Cartridge
- Lubricants Sealants Adhesives
- Grease
- Multi-Purpose Grease
- Petroleum-Based
- White Lithium Grease
- Lithium 12-Hydroxystearate
- 14 oz
- LubriMatic
more information >
Lube Plate for Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10" Diameter
- Accessories and Parts
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Plates
- Lube Plate
- Reese
more information >
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
Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 4000 lbs Vertical Load
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 13-1/2 - 17 Inch Tall
- Reese
more information >
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Louis
5/27/2022
Good day to you Kevin The 15K or is it the 16k dual claw Reese hitch and Sidewinder 20K are both brand new The dual claw operates perfectly every time when nothing is hitched It's impossible to have both units perfectly level every time from campsite to campsite There has to be some type of give The witch plate on it looks to be the proper one it was installed by the dealer and looks like it showed on the picture I can take pictures of it tonight and send to you if that's any help to confirm that I have the right wedge plate Should there not be some type of give on the angles a little bit seeing how the kingpin box has full 3d motion so it should be able to pretty much self-adjust to the other would it not