Warning - Loose bolts on Sidewinder hitch

I called Cequent, the owners of Reese to discuss the deformation on my 5th Airborne Sidewinder 5th wheel hitch when under load. I was told it was all within normal tolerances. He also gave me the hitch bolt toque values so that I could check to see if loose bolts were contributing to deformation. I was told by Cequent the the 3 (4 bolts on the newer hitches) on the top of the turrent should be 80 ft-lb and the 8 bolts that attach the hitch to the frame were to be 120 ft-lb.

When I checked the turret bolts one was at 80 but two were on about 20 ft-lb. When I checked the frame bolts at least 3 of them were less than 20 ft-lb too.

If you have a Sidewinder, you might want to check.

Bob in Houston
 

Willym

Well-known member
This is really good info, thanks. Since it is not really specific to Cyclones though, it might have been better to put it in the general forum, Trailer Hitches and Pin Boxes section. Maybe one of the mods might move it.

 
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