Troubleshooting A Pin Box That Contacts The Bedrails When Turning

Question:

My new trailer is not a zero radious turn so I purchase a superglide hitch from an individual, it connects to my puck system in my 2016 dodge 3500, it sits higher than the anderson . When it slides back will it hit the rails of my truck bed? Truck is a mega cab short box

asked by: Terry

Expert Reply:

Hey Terry,

If the pin box is contacting the bed rails/tailgate when sliding back then the only other option would be to switch out the pin box for a rotating pin box like a Reese Sidewinder. Rotating pin boxes move the pivot point for the trailer back 22" to the connection point for the pin box on the nose of trailer. This gives a ton of extra turning clearance to help make 90 degree turns and the pin box will stay straight down the middle of the bed and won't move or come into contact with the bedrails.

To replace your pin box you'll first need to determine your pin box bolt pattern. Typically there's a white sticker on the pin box that lists the serial, RPO, and LCI item numbers that we can use to determine the pattern. If this sticker is gone then you can measure the bolt pattern using the guide attached below. Once we know the pattern I can find the correct Sidewinder to fit.

You'll also need to swap out the SuperGlide for a fixed base hitch, which will also need a wedge kit to lock the king pin of the pin box into the jaws of the hitch.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Terry W.

5/27/2024

Kevin, tried it out for the weekend. Was worried at first but watched as I turned it cleared just fine. My next question, since I have the puck system it raises the nose of the trailer 4 to five inches, no way to lower hitch or raise pin box, would it be feasible to block up or rather block down the axle 2 to 4 inches to level out the trailer? It pulled fine this weekend but they say it could cause issues with tires

Kevin C.

5/28/2024

@TerryW If you're needing to raise the height of the trailer and the leaf springs sit under the axle you could use an over-under conversion kit to raise the height of the trailer by the diameter of the axle tube plus the height of the leaf spring stack. These kits are designed to fit 2-3/8" diameter axles # K71-384-00 and 3" diameter axles # K71-385-00. This should clear up the 4-5" of rise you're dealing with at the nose of the trailer.

Helpful Links

tv-review-dexter-axle-trailer-springs-over-under-conversion-kit-k71-384-00.aspx

tv-review-dexter-trailer-springs-over-under-conversion-kit-k71-385-00.aspx

Terry W.

5/30/2024

@KevinC thanks for the info, will check my axle diameter and go from there