Will this be strong enough?

[hawkeye08]

Here's Reese's formula: (A + B) - C = Clearance
A= Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab
B= Length of Sidewinder arm (16K = 22")
C= Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)

So - I have 36 inches from center of jaws to front of bed. Sidewinder arm is 22 inches. Trailer is 96 inches wide.
36+22=58. 58-48= 10 inches clearance.

I have yet to hear from Etrailer. But I did get in touch with Reese. Where Etrailer has a guy who says his Reese contact said it's OK to use the ST400 Sidewinder with a Leland 7900, the person I spoke to at Reese said it's not recommended due to potential frame damage on the trailer. They did take down my contact information and said that they'd have their engineering department check it out when they're in tomorrow and get back to me.
Kind of unofficially said that I may be OK because the tag on the trailer pretty much says that I'm under 12k loaded. But that it's not on Reese if I tried it. I don't blame them. Decisions, decisions.

I've never had a problem with etrailer not responding promptly. Perhaps your spam folder has the response? I emailed them after 5pm pacific time and had a response the next morning when I checked my computer.

 

[handirifle]

I doubt it has to do with the weight of the trailer as much as it has to do with design of frame in that area. You have already ordered it so a call or email from them is kinda moot at this point. They might feel that way since the original pin box was so short and the reese is considerably longer, thus more dynamic stress on the overbed frame.

Thats the same logic they use against folks adding goose neck adapters to their king pins. It effectively lengthens it thus more leverage and stress.

When you use it just be aware of any buckling where overhang joins the main frame and any persistent issues with seams coming loose.

Some folks we rv with have all added goose neck adapters (for several years now) and the last trip together, I noticed some weatherstriping loose where the overhang meets main trailer. His wife commented that her husband had fixed that once before.

Later I told my wife I suspect he may be having frame issues and that was why I did not use one on ours.

 

[handirifle]

Jjz109
Just a heads up. The custom wedge came in today and before I replaced the universal one I decided to do a test fit. Glad I did cause the universal one fit a LOT tighter than the "custom" one. I am sending it back.

I put a couple weld beads on the universal one to take up some of the gap. Will see how it goes next trip.

I also noticed even when closed, the is a bit of side play in the jaws, so I will be surprised if it helps a lot.

 

[JJZ 109]

Jjz109
Just a heads up. The custom wedge came in today and before I replaced the universal one I decided to do a rest fit. Glad I did cause the universal one fit a LOT tighter than thr "custom" one. I am sending it back.

I put a couple weld beads on the custom one to take up some of the gap. Will see how it goes next trip.

I also noticed even when closed, the is a bit of side play in the jaws, so I will be surprised if it helps a lot.

Thank you. I'll have to compare and see which one actually works best. Last box just arrived with the wedge. Now have 3 unopened boxes waiting for tomorrow for the install.

I've never had a problem with etrailer not responding promptly. Perhaps your spam folder has the response? I emailed them after 5pm pacific time and had a response the next morning when I checked my computer.

It took a couple of days for an answer. But once I got one, I had the email of the individual that replied, not the generic Etrailer email. After that, it was like I had one guy on the case and he always responded promptly.

 

[handirifle]

I edited my post above. I put weld beads on the universal one, not the custom one. AM sending "custom" one back.

May end up doing like someone on here did and make my own. Not sure about that idea though.

 

[JJZ 109]

I edited my post above. I put weld beads on the universal one, not the custom one. AM sending "custom" one back.

May end up doing like someone on here did and make my own. Not sure about that idea though.

The verdict is in. At least partially. Install went just fine yesterday. Assembly was fairly easy. Fortunately I have forks on my skid steer. I lifted the assembled unit up into place while a friend got bolts inserted. Then had the compressor handy and tightened all with an impact.
I used the custom wedge. Had it all the way forward and actually had to move it back just a little so that the jaws would wrap around the pin.
I have yet to take it out on the road, but a test in my driveway shows that I can go 90 degrees plus on a turn if I had to. Now there's at least a foot between the leading edge of the camper and my truck cab. But I think if I was on blacktop where the tires could get a good bite it just may roll the tire beads off of the rim!

 

[JJZ 109]

Finished product. Note the position of the pin after parking the trailer. Truck and be unhooked at any angle and then backed into to rehook.

 

[handirifle]

Yup nice. It's a sweet setup. What hitch do you have in the truck? I have a bit of slop in my old (free) Reese, so someday it will be replaced. Trying to find which one will be the most rigid.

 

[JJZ 109]

Yup nice. It's a sweet setup. What hitch do you have in the truck? I have a bit of slop in my old (free) Reese, so someday it will be replaced. Trying to find which one will be the most rigid.

Camper grosses at 11,400. Hitch is a Reese 30047, 16k. I've seen them online at Etrailer for $495 (without rails). But remember that if you find the exact same hitch at a lower price elsewhere, send them a link. They'll look into it and refund you 110% of the difference. I was skeptical but as noted earlier, they refunded me $128 on the Sidewinder.

 

[handirifle]

I was out of cell service for the last few days. Thanks for the info will look into it. Let me know how yours does on the shifting when on windy roads.