OK - We bought a new fifth wheel last fall, still has the OEM pin box on it. This obviously results in a fair amount of "chucking" while going down the road; general consensus is that a different pin box will provide considerably more comfort while towing.

I'm looking at a few different options, and was hoping someone here could chime in with opinions, pros/cons, etc on these things.

What I'm towing with: 2003 CCLB DRW
What I'm towing: Keystone Fuzion 360 - max GVWR is 18K, max pin weight 2900#

The options I'm looking at:

Mor-Ryde

Demco Glide-Ride

TrailAir

Fifth Airborne


Given those options, looks like I'll be spending between $600-900 - so trying to stay in that range; running a B&W Companion, so don't want the "sidewinder" type of hitches.

Thanks for your input,
Jim

I don't have any first-hand (actual use) experience with any of these, but I will offer my observations based solely on what I *do* know:

1/ I've rarely heard anything bad about the 5th airborne units. 95% of what I've ever read or heard is positive, and probably 4% of the disgruntled owners are a result of not reading the owners manual and setting up the hitch and airbag PSI correctly.

2/ Where I park my fifth wheel 4 out of the 6 other fifth wheels that share my lot are equipped with 5th airborne pinboxes. That would seem to speak volumes to me.

Hopefully someone here has first hand experience to share.

OK - We bought a new fifth wheel last fall, still has the OEM pin box on it. This obviously results in a fair amount of "chucking" while going down the road; general consensus is that a different pin box will provide considerably more comfort while towing.


I have a similar setup and have no chucking at all. My Arctic Fox has the plain stock pin box on it and my 5er's GVRW is 13,000, about 12,200 in actual use. I don't use airbags and run 80 lbs air in the rear; 65 in the front.

I wonder what the cause of the chucking is with your setup? Before I spent hundreds of dollars to solve the problem, I'd sure want to know why the problem existed, potentially solving it at the source for less money spent.

I've used the Demco Glide Ride on a 30' Sunnybrook with a '99 2500 and now on a 36' Mobile Suites behind a '07 3500. I tried all range of air pressures and finally sold the TrailAir pin box that came on the MS, it just didn't work. Glide Rides can be purchased for less than Demco offers them for.

I have a similar setup and have no chucking at all. My Arctic Fox has the plain stock pin box on it and my 5er's GVRW is 13,000, about 12,200 in actual use. I don't use airbags and run 80 lbs air in the rear; 65 in the front.

I wonder what the cause of the chucking is with your setup? Before I spent hundreds of dollars to solve the problem, I'd sure want to know why the problem existed, potentially solving it at the source for less money spent.


Agree -proper trailer set up and load balance make a huge difference in towing manners. -my 14K loaded toyhauler doesn't chuck constantly. It will tug at the PIN and porpoise a little on really bad roads. I did spend a lot of time getting trailer set up level / suspension operating from neutral location during the first year of ownership. It also took many trips across the scales to know the load was properly balanced.

If you decide to buy -check out Tweety's RV for prices
http://tweetys.com/fifth-wheel-pin-boxes.aspx

Have to second the recommendation for Tweety's. Bought my B&W turnover and Companion hitch through them. Great place to deal with.
Bob

OK, maybe I should clarify - the chucking is more pronounced on bumpy roads (quite common here in SE Ohio) - it may be more of the "porpoising" mentioned above.

Since I've only pulled it a few times, I'm still working to make sure it's loaded evenly - part of the problem is it's a toyhauler - if we don't take the bikes, the rear ends up light; load the bikes, and now it's rear heavy.....

Towed it once with the fresh tank full, made a little bit of a difference (~100 gallons); haven't filled both gasoline tanks yet (~60 gallons total) to see if that makes a difference (both fresh water and the gas tanks are at the rear).

Still working on adjustments to the Companion as well - have it set at "middle" setting right now.

Biggest complaint is just the occasional bouncing of the truck - if investing in a different pin box can solve it, that keeps the wife happier, and is therefore worth it.

Oh, and I've already been shopping at Tweety's - heard nothing but good about them, so that's the first place I went.

Thanks for all the input so far..

Like I said in another thread on fifth wheels recently, chucking isn't uncommon - some people's combinations experience it, others don't. Most people that are new to fifth wheels notice it right away, and unless it's really bad, most of these same people eventually don't even notice it anymore as they adjust to the feeling.

I tow a 13,000 fifth wheel. I don't get much chucking. I bought a MorRyde rubberized pin box from Tweety's and really like it. It has totally eliminated the clunking when stopping and taking off again. Has made the whole towing experience much quieter overall. YMMV

[QUOTE=jimzdat;4213683]OK, maybe I should clarify - the chucking is more pronounced on bumpy roads (quite common here in SE Ohio) - it may be more of the "porpoising" mentioned above.
Still working on adjustments to the Companion as well - have it set at "middle" setting right now.

jimzdat - I have same problem as you described. I installed rubber cone "Timbren SES". No more jumpy. I also replaced pinbox - got 5th airborne sidewinder. Drove 1000 miles round trip from PA to Indiana. Solved the problem. Now we can enjoy the trip. If looking for a 5th airborne sidewinder - check www.etrailer.com (http://www.etrailer.com)

I have a MorRyde on my trailer pulling it with a companion. Very pleased in how it rides. No clunking, bucking, chucking etc. Really don't even know my 38' trailer is back there. Like said above, making sure you have the right tongue weight will make a big difference. Sometimes hard to do with a toybox.

X3 on the MorRyde.

Had a 5th Airborne...worked as advertised.

Have a Fifth Airborne....works great.

I have heard that since Reese (Cequent towing) bought them out, that they have even gotten better.