5th airborne install with pics

[EricBu12]

Well I finally got it installed today and so I thought I'd show how it went together.

Here is what I started with. . I bought a RV5 . . 10" kingpin extension. This helped but not enough.

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Here is the parts for the 5th Airborne sidewinder. This was $1300 total. I had a glitch with the top left part but got it exchanged for the right one. The adaper goes on the turret, and the main head unit bolts on the front. This is 240# total weight.

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I mounted the adapter with 2 bolts then slid the other part on so I could tighten the turret bolts. This bolted right up. . holes matched pretty good.

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So here it is pretty much bolted up. ... It says to have 2" clearance for the swivel, I wanted it to be up higher but it was less than 1" so I had to lower it which raised the trailer a little.

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Here is the wedge for the 5th wheel hitch. It eliminates that swivel so the turret is the only pivot. This worked like a charm. .

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You have to air up the airbag to 100 psi then let the weight down on the truck. . I pulled the trailer out and did a turn, here is the pin box in a turn.

So this is a 20 inch pin box and at 90 degree, the length from the kingpin to the side of the trailer is 31"... the length from the 5th wheel to the back of the cab is 39"... So that should be good enough for sharp turns

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[CUMMINZ]

Looks like the hitch is taller and will carry your coach higher in the front and the hitch is shorter with pin closer to the end of your coach. It also looks like the tailgate is mighty close to the back end of the hitch. Looks well built.

 

[EricBu12]

The front is higher by 1-2" . . I wanted to do the mount up higher but it was too close to the trailer for the swivel.

The tailgate is not close. . just optical illusion on the pic. . The length of the pinbox is the same as the old one. . about 20" I had a 10" extension called RV5 but that 10" is not needed now.

You have to air up the bag to 105 PSI with the weight off the hitch, then lower the weight then adjust the air to the line on the side of the hitch for proper height.

I pulled the trailer out and turned, then was able to back the trailer into my spot in 1 try. Much easier to back up as it is like a TT system with the leverage of the arm.

 

[EricBu12]

Noticed something when hooked. .

When you air up the airbag which is needed, then you let the weight down on the hitch. If you try to add air, the bag goes down... Even at 120 psi. . I think this is because the pressure in the bag is like 150-200 PSI... I will check this with a dig. gauge to see what it really is. I added air to like 105 and when the weight was on, and the line for the side mark was right on.

I am excited to find out how it handles when I go out to the boonies tomorrow. I will take some pictures on different turns when I get out in the open and see if I can do a 90 degree. . The measurements say it will, I get about 7" clearance from the sidewall of the trailer to the rear of the cab so it should do fine.

 

[BGlidewell]

be carefull turning!

 

[EricBu12]

In that pic the box is already in a turn and wont come close to the bed. it is wedged in the 5th wheel opening so that the only pivot is the turret.

Here is the wedge for the 5th wheel hitch to eliminate that pivot

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See below pics for 90 and 45 degree turns with the clearance of the truck and trailer. I love this box as it smooths out the major bumps and the turning radius is shorter due to the box... This is rated at 19K so it is good for all trailers.


Here is the truck at full 90 degree

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here is what the box looks like at 90

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Here is the clearance between the truck and trailer at 90

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Here is the truck at 45 and the closest the trailer corner is to the truck.

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Here is what I do when I am unhooked, I am able to swing the box under the nose of the trailer to keep it out of harms way.

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If you have a short bed and want to do sharp turns and pay less than the auto slide 5th hitch, then get this... it is worth it. !!

 

[BGlidewell]

very nice!

 

[BGlidewell]

Noticed something when hooked. .

When you air up the airbag which is needed, then you let the weight down on the hitch. If you try to add air, the bag goes down... Even at 120 psi. .

Odd... My trail-air manual says it should be loaded on the donut to put in air. Mine leaks about 10 lbs a month.
#ad

 

[Seafood10]

Boy, that is exactly what I need! But I am confused, you say it was over 1300. 00 and I saw it here for about half of that, am I missing something?

5th Wheel Air Hitch by Fifth Airborne

thanks

 

[EricBu12]

That is for the air ride pinbox only. . The combo air ride and sidewinder pivot is more... about 1200-1400

Look for either the sidewinder only or the combo or the air ride only.

This is the air ride only

5th Airborne Fifth Wheel Coupler - TLCentral

This is the sidewinder pivot only

Sidewinder Fifth Wheel Coupler - TLCentral

And here is the one I got.

5th Airborne Sidewinder Fifth Wheel Coupler - TLCentral

If you have a Lippert 1621 pinbox, you need the ST-100 model , not the ST-200

These links are to specific models of pinbox, you have to go to this site to find your specific pinbox mounting

TL Central - 5th Airborne Fifth Wheel Couplers

 

[SBeretz]

I have the Raptor 3814SS with the Sidewinder on my trailer (no airborne part) and I can go past 90*. . It is awesome. I think you are going to be really happy. I have put my trailer into spots that most people would never think a 40ft toy hauler would fit. Scotty