Reese SW16K SIDEWINDER - Manual (Page 9)

Figure 2
CORRECT
Bottom of Pin Box (A)
1/2 To 1 Inch Below
Hitch Skid Plate (B)
Skid Plate Ramp (C)
Hitch Skid Plate (B)
Bottom of Pin Box (A)
IMPORTANT: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE HITCHING AND UNHITCHING OPERATIONS. DO NOT RELY ON
OTHERS TO PERFORM THESE DUTIES. YOU MUST PERSONALLY MAKE SURE THE FOLLOWING
STEPS ARE PERFORMED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER!
WARNING:
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.
1. Place blocks (sometimes called “chocks”) firmly against front and rear of each trailer wheel to prevent any possible
forward or rearward motion. DO NOT REMOVE BLOCKS UNTIL EACH OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS AND THE
PULL TEST HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. Lower tailgate if necessary. Clearance of the lowered tailgate to the trailer needs
to be monitored during hookups as some manufacturer combinations of truck and trailer have little or no clearance.
2. Using trailer jacks, adjust trailer height following the directions in the trailer manual so that bottom of trailer pin box (“A” in
Figure 2) is ½ to 1 inch below skid plate (See “B” in Figure 2). During the hitching maneuver, the bottom of the trailer pin
box should come in contact with skid plate ramp (“C” in Figure 2).
HITCHING PROCEDURE:
Bottom of
Pin
Box Above
Hitch Skid
Plate
Figure 3
WRONG
Installation Instructions
16K Sidewinder TM
Rev. A 02-11-09 SW16KIN Sheet 9 of 12 z 2009 Cequent Performance Products
Form: F205 Rev A 5-6-05
WARNING:
Failure to follow this instruction may result in king pin being too high and coming to rest on top of closed jaws or
not completely inside jaw. (See Fig. 6/7). This could result in trailer separating from hitch. Trailer separation may
result in death or serious injury if anyone is under the trailer or between truck and trailer when separation occurs.
3. Open the jaw on the fifth wheel head – refer to the instructions for your fifth wheel head for proper fifth wheel hitch latch
operation.
4. Back truck slowly into trailer. Truck and trailer must be straight in-line for the wedge to enter into the fifth wheel funnel.
5. Latch fifth wheel hitch in closed position according to the instructions for your fifth wheel hitch.
5. With all trailer wheels still firmly blocked, landing gear still resting on firm ground and supporting trailer weight, and truck
stationary and in park with emergency brake on: visually check that bottom of pin box is resting on top of the hitch.
THERE SHOULD BE NO SPACE BETWEEN THESE SURFACES (see Figure 6). If space exists, (see Figure 7) trailer
has not been properly hitched. DO NOT TOW! Instead, repeat above steps until trailer is properly hitched. DO NOT
PLACE BODY UNDER TRAILER TO PERFORM THIS INSPECTION!
Figure 7
WRONG
Figure 6
CORRECT
High Pin No Space
GAP