![]() ![]() The best vehicles are around 30 percent.īut, with a fifth wheel, the overhang is 0 percent of the wheelbase. For instance, if the vehicle has a 100-inch wheelbase with 40 inches of rear overhang, the overhang is 40 percent of the wheel base (which would not be ideal). We look at the overhang as a percentage of the wheelbase. Of all the measurements we conduct when assessing a tow vehicle for a trailer, a key element we have to consider is the amount of rear overhang. Going straight down the highway on a windy day, it’s hard to match the driving ease of a fifth wheel in tow. So, if I find myself in a situation where I need to maneuver quickly to avoid an accident, I will take a properly set up travel trailer any time.īut fifth wheels do have their merits. With a fifth wheel, the tires start leaving the road at 60 km/h. For example, a good handling travel trailer and tow vehicle can run through a 100-foot slalom close to 80 km/h. When we do slalom and lane change tests, it’s obvious travel trailers handle much better. Swivel pin boxes allow an impressive turn radius of 90 degrees, but some stability at highway speeds is lost.Ĭompared with travel trailers, which can have a very low centre of gravity and a pivot point much closer to the ground (with weight distribution and sway controls), there is no contest between the two. It consists of a simple pivot point that is approximately four feet above the ground, sitting over a basic live axle truck suspension. The fifth wheel hitch is not complicated. The centre of gravity of a fifth wheel is very high, the sidewall area to catch cross winds is massive, most units have basic leaf spring suspensions, while only a few have shock absorbers. But when you look at a fifth wheel’s design, it would be easy to wonder how they could be stable at all. ![]() Fifth wheels are very stable on a highway and are rarely affected by cross winds or passing trucks. Tested for real world conditions, Sidewinder has cleared rigorous testing by BOSCH automotive proving grounds and exceeds all SAE/CSA Standard 16K & 19K ratings requirements for RVs.When RV’ers are considering a fifth wheel trailer they often ask if it will feel more stable on the road than a travel trailer or a motorhome. It also allows better load capacity and the ability to support heavier loads. The C-channel design gives it more stability and strength than the standard pin box design. And since the towing position of the arm of the pin box is locked in line with the truck, you can make full use of the truck bed space, giving you extra storage space for fuel tanks, toolboxes and cargo.ĭon’t let the slim looks fool you. The pivoting pin box makes hook up possible at any angle. Sidewinder also offers faster steering wheel response, making backing up easier than ever before. This reduces the need for extra-wide turns and allows short bed pickups to jackknife with no fear of contact. By moving the pivot rearward while keeping the load centered over the axles, the trailer tracks more closely to the truck. This enables Sidewinder to handle up to a 90-degree turn effortlessly. Sidewinder’s kingpin locking mechanism moves the pivot position 22” rear of the coupler’s attachment point. Now you can make up to 90-degree turns without exiting the truck. The nimble and quick design automatically eliminates turning and clearance headaches. Sidewinder is the premium pin box coupler designed specifi cally for short bed pickups. ![]()
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