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Connect the turret portion (sold separately) of the sidewinder to this arm assembly to create a complete 5th Airborne sidewinder, which will enable you to easily make up to 90-degree turns. The built-in air bag both cushions and supports your load.
Features:
Specs:
Use the formula below to ensure that there will be enough space between your truck cab and trailer when you are executing a 90-degree turn with the 5th Airborne sidewinder installed.
(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of 5th-wheel hitch jaw to truck cab in inches
B = Length of sidewinder arm in inches (22")
C = Width of trailer in inches divided by 2
For example:
If you are using the 16,000-lb 5th Airborne sidewinder, then B = 22"
If the distance from the center of your hitch to your truck's cab is 36", then A = 36"
And, if your fifth-wheel trailer is 102" wide, then C = 51"
102/2 = 51
Therefore,
(36 + 22) - 51 = 7" of clearance
Reese Elite Airborne Sidewinder
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (97 Customer Reviews)
Connect the turret portion (sold separately) of the sidewinder to this arm assembly to create a complete 5th Airborne sidewinder, which will enable you to easily make up to 90-degree turns. The built-in air bag both cushions and supports your load.Excellent Item, Very good seller excellent communication and service
I've had my Elite Airborne Sidewinder for about 6 months now. it's mounted on a 33 ft Jayco and pulled by a 2016 F-150 Lariat with a 5.5 ft box and the Max tow package. Total trailer weight is about 7800 lbs empty and closer to 9-9500 when we are loaded. We have done several short trips (under 200 miles) and one longer one so far from Montreal to Charleston, SC.
I'm nothing short of blown away by this coupler. There is no chucking, and it pulls so smooth you'd hardly think there was a trailer back there. Even my wife has commented that it hardly feels like we're towing. The sidewinder allows 90 degree turns easily and I can back it down a 80 ft driveway easily. I check the air once in a while in the air ride and have yet to check the key but I can back on to it easily. This coupler does exactly what it was advertised to do, and does it extremely well. We've had it out 6 times this year already and have a few more in mind before calling it a season. My thanks to Reese for an amazing coupler and to Pat and etrailer for their help in getting it to me so fast! Great customer service!
I love the Air Ride King Pin with Sidewinder. The air cushion has removed the lag when taking off and stopping as well as smoothing out the trailer movement on rough road. The solid construction has served me well on our recent 2000-mile road trip.
I tow a 12,000 lb fifth wheel with a short bed 3/4 ton truck.
The pin box greatly increases the maneuverability of the trailer / truck combination by moving the pivot point back under the front of the trailer rather than in the middle of the hitch in the truck bed. Additionally, the air ride greatly smooths the bumps out on the road and reduces chucking when braking or accelerating. The only reason for not giving 5 stars is that you MUST be perfectly aligned with the pin box in order to attach it to the hitch. Unlike a traditional king pin, this one is modified to have a large steel plate behind it to force the pin box to pivot under the trailer. This means you MUST be perfectly aligned with the pin box to get it to connect to the trailer. Normally, this is not an issue if you are able to back or pull the trailer to the point where the pin box is straight with respect to the trailer. however, often spots require backing in but are not deep enough to straighten the pin box to the trailer. This means that the truck must be backed in at what ever angle the pin box is at to get it to engage in the hitch.
Reese Sidewinder RV hitch for short bed tow vehicles . This model has air bag suspension (replaced the non air suspension model)
Yes this product works good the ride is much less harsh, although the air suspension model is much higher and I did need to lower the fifth wheel hitch to get the trailer front lowered to a safer tow mode . There was initial damage from shipping (the air filling valve stem is installed when shipping and sticks out if and pokes Out of the box and was bent) Spoke to Reese and they took care in suppling a new valve and connections.
Got the box in time for my last trip of about 400 mi. Round trip.
I am replacing a plain sidewinder which is a great improvement over a sliding hitch- mainly because I am able to remove my Reese titan hitch myself without hurting my back. My last hitch slid automatically but weighted a ton.
The box had come open when it arrived, it appears that the packing staples had pulled out. I installed it myself without a great degree if difficulty and discovered the top wear ring was not included. Luckily I had the one from my regular sidewinder.
Don't know if I did it or it happened in shipping but the air valve was mashed on the end. I struggled getting the cap off and had to file it back round again to get an air nozzle on it. It is very soft brass and probably should be protected better for shipping and handling since it is easily damaged.
I was very disappointed in the performance. I drove a road with expansion joints and wished I had the plain sidewinder back on.
After I got home I moved the airbag and adjusted the air pressure in an attempt to smooth the ride. I haven't given it a fair trial yet with the new adjustments.
Sure seems like a lot of money for no significant improvement at this point.
I really like my new King Pin with airbag and sidewinder and turret. I am not the greatest at backing up but I feel I have better control due to the geometry change. It is much easier to make sharp 90 degree turns. I hated to have to stop and move the slider. I have had to reset the four bolts on top of the turret and the two bolts holding the wedge to 150 pounds. I use a white lithium spray to ensure an easier connection. I am still trying to figure out what pressure I should set the airbag though. I have it set between 60 and 65. The ride is very smooth with very little chucking.
I would have left 5 stars, but the package arrived just about destroyed and the pin box was significantly scratched and the air valve was bent and had to be replaced which I did myself. I had to touch up the paint on the frame of my trailer from the old pin box, so i also touched up all the scratches from shipping.
The hitch is absolutely awesome and was exactly what I was looking for to absorb some road shock! Just got back from a 1,700 mile trip and although it took some experimenting along the way to get it just right, it was worth it. Probably going to add a compressor and wireless valve to control the pressure in the cab because weight and air temps require different psi's. When we left Chicago it was 30° and by the time we got to southern Arkansas, it was 75° and had to let the air out 3 times. On our way back, had to add air multiple times.
This item arrived quickly. There was some rust inside of the mounting cavity that had to be removed before installing the 5th Airborne. You may also experience some swelling from the manufacturer welding up the pin box cavity. Once this is cleaned up, installation is easy.
Installed this in 10 minutes. Super Easy to install, you can do it by yourself if you're strong and have some skills. Having a helping hand doesn't hurt though. Although the custom bed isn't done on my truck, it's time for vacation. I used a new B&W turnover ball and companion 5th wheel hitch and connected my newly (easily) installed Airborn air bagged pin box.... rides like a dream!!!!! I shouldn't have used my other non-air ride pin box for 10 years! This pic shows my test run, usually the car is a boat.
am happy with my new pinbox. Installation was very easy with some help, fit perfectly. I had to run a die nut over 2 trunion bolts that were damaged during shipping. I haven't tried towing yet, but so far I am pleased with my purchase. I have enclosed some pictures of my installation.
The pin box was easily installed and works great.When installed the lable with name and specs is partially covered by the mount on the frame.
Unit arrived in good condition. Was a breeze to install, about a 1 hour job with 2 people including removal of old Tri-Glide. Didn't like the "banging" back and forth with the tri-glide.
The only issue I had was having to drill pilot hole for breakaway switch screw. Non issue! Can't wait to make a haul with it. Alaska here we come!
Wow...what a difference!
Replaced our pin box with the 5th Airboure and the ride immediately improved. Almost no chucking!
Even my wife noticed how nice and smooth the truck now rides.
Was looking for a fifth wheel trailer porpoising solution and this helped considerably. It took some time to figure out the right air pressure to put on king pin and air lifts I have on truck to find the right combination. Although I miss the chuck free Motoryde feel, I’ll take a slight chucking vs. my trailer coming apart from bouncing up and down. Much cheaper and convenient solution to others I have seen.
I haven't used the air ride pin box yet, but I will be going on a trip this weekend. Installation was a breeze with the help of my son to place in position. It took about 45 min. to remove the old pin box and install the Airborne. Another 30 min. to secure the electrics and trailer emergency brake switch.
The 5th Airborne Air Ride Coupler is very well made with quality welds.
Installing on a 2010 Cyclone 3612 Toy Hauler, I did have to cut about 1/2 inch from the fiberglass at the top front of the Lippert Trailer Mount. This modification provided the 3/8"
vertical movement required to allow the front 3 bolt holes to line up.
Other than the small fiberglass trim, a very clean installation.
I have a 40 foot, 16,000 GVWR fifth wheel towed by a 1 ton, SRW, long bed with Timbrens also purchased from etrailer. The FW came with a Rotaflex kingpin. The kingpin did a good job with chucking, but the overall ride was very rough. I decided to go with the Reese Fifth Airborne.
We went on a 250 mile trip just before installation of the Reese Fifth Airborne. My wife likes to knit while riding. There were stretches of the interstate where she would have to stop because the ride was so rough. We happened to go over the same stretch of road after the installation of the Reese Fifth Airborne. She did not have to stop her knitting once. The road doesn't turn smooth as glass with this kingpin, but the jarring is eliminated and turned into a a smooth, more subtle bounce.
There are similar products on the market and other setups that are greatly more expensive. IMO, the Reese Fifth Airborne works very well, is relatively affordable and doesn't detract from the looks of the FW. And, of course, purchasing from etrailer is great.
Very good quality and easy to install. Took a little more than an hour. Helps to have a tractor with forks and a good cordless impact wrench. Other reviews say it works well. Still snow here but can not wait to try it. Have new Bighorn and with factory pinbox it was a rough 200 miles home.
Received my 5th Airborne pin box in 3 days. I didn’t have any help readily available and I couldn’t wait. It was a direct replacement of my old pin box. The guy I was emailing was very helpful and helped me correct my order as I ordered the wrong one and caught my mistake before it processed. He was great to work with as erailer always is. Highly recommend these guys for all your trailering needs.
It was a little aggravating to install alone with some makeshift braces and 2 large screwdrivers to line up holes. Be sure to sand the inside of the frame if any rust or anomalies are present. Other than that, was a simple install and fit as it should. Thank You etrailer!
This hitch is great, no more chucking and it also takes the hard bounce out. Would recommend to anyone. You will need to adjust the pressure in the air bag to suit the weight of your pin. 100% better pull, you wont be sorry.
Thank you Amy for your knowledge and help with purchasing a replacement 5th wheel pin box and spare tire, everything fit perfectly and showed up a day early.
I contacted etrailer several times trying to figure out how to fix my problem. Everyone there that I spoke with was very knowledgeable and helpful. They shipped the product right away and I received it a day before expected. I can't say enough about the great people at etrailer. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for trailer parts.
I really like this hitch. It must be setup properly to function. Initial assembly takes a bit to fit everything together and grease is a must. I ended up pressing the two halves together at work. When I received the hitch, the airline for the airbag was bent and needs to be replaced. I never contacted etrailer for this since it’s a fairly straight forward fix. My camper pulls smooth and the hitch takes away a lot of the chucking. Backing up with the pivot point now under the camper and not at the hitch takes a bit to get used to but ultimately works better. I’ve been pulling trailers all my adult life commercially. I am happy with the steel and build quality. I doubt I will have any manufacturing issues with this hitch. Again, my only two complaints are initial assembly is a little more than homeowner grade, as well as getting the non pivot block, that stops the King pin rotation, is a bit tedious to adjust. The simple way to install this is to have it done at a professional shop that has experience with these hitches.
Dana at etrailer was the best, order shipped same day and I received it within two days. Installation of the 5th Airborne was very easy and a well built product.
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Steven C.
11/19/2023
Fantastic!