Air ride questions.

[oscar]

The facts.... the Chevy 3500 DRW is coming Wednesday.

The speculation is that a 4100 or 415RW will be bought early next year..... (My bride REALLY likes them)

So there's a lot of research going on right now. It appears an air ride helps keep the TV on the wall.....and saves a lot of wear and tear on the trailer.

I've found the major air ride fifth wheel hitch manufacturers. No one lists prices....generally a bad sign. What are we looking at here $$ wise?

Also, there's air hitches and air pin boxes. Both would seem to be overkill.....right?

The boxes all come in well under $1000 So if I do my own installation and use a regular hitch I can be hooked up (haha) for around $1400......

Do the above mentioned trailers come with an air pin box? If so I don't worry, put a regular hitch in and I'm ready to go....right?

All thoughts are appreciated.

 

[jbeletti]

Oscar,

Congrats on the truck order and possible future purchase of a Heartland RV.

I think you're looking at $2500-$3000 for an air hitch.

From Heartland, you can get a standard pinbox, a Mor/ryde pinbox or Trailair pinbox.

Mor/ryde is rubber spring in compression, Trailair is air spring with shock for recoil.

I'd probably not due an air pinbox and an air hitch. But I have no experience with that combo either.

I'm running a Mor/ryde pinbox with a TrailerSafe TS3 air hitch.

Jim

 

[scottyb]

Oscar, I have a 5th Airborne pin box on mine. It's takes most of the bucking out, or at least dampens it, and all of the chucking. I have found that these rigs are so heavy, they don't really bounce too much. Everything seems to stay in place and there's very little shifting of things inside. Maybe a little more so in the garage, but I was surprised and expecting the worst. I only drive 65, or slower if the road dictates it.

 

[oscar]

Thanks for the replies. 2-3 large for a hitch would eat into other necessities. It's that budget thing.....

I'll be looking either at a very lightly used 2011/2012 or a discounted new 2012/2013 sitting on the lot. IOW I won't be affording myself the luxury of ordering it all just the way I want it, as much as I would like to.

Understand the heavy weight and the tendency to stay put. The garage is a matter of straps. I plan on having removable blankets with eyelets around the wall (like you may have seen in elevators when they have to move stuff) to keep things from getting scarred.

Jim, I'm an above average wrencher. How complicated is it to R&R the pin box? Looking at them on line it appears they are bolt on with 8 or so bolts. Are these easily accessible?

 

[mobilcastle]

Pin boxes are easy to mount-air impact to remove is the way I go and torque wrench to install. Two people to lift one but I have used my hoist to get it in the bed of my truck then block it up and lower the 5ver to mount-let the front jacks do the lifting.-you can also take it off this way. I have used a Mor/Ryde pin box and it worked good-I am getting ready to put on a Demco pin box. Look at B&W Companion hitch-highly recommend on many forums. Good luck.

 

[jnbhobe]

I have used the 5th airborne and the tri-glide and have changed them both alone with a jack and blocking and 3 drift pins. I've got the tri-glide for sale at the national rally if its not gone before.

 

[GOTTOYS]

One person job to change it. Takes about 1/2 hour. After removing the old pin box using this same method..set the new pin box on the tailgate/bed of you truck. Put it up on a couple blocks to get it to the approximate height. Raise your trailer up or down with the front jacks on the trailer. Much safer than trying to balance it on a skinny bottle jack. It's easy to slide the pin box around on top of a few blocks and get it in the right position..Don

 

[oscar]

Thanks, that's what I figured. Well, I'm taking delivery of the truck on Wednesday. I will install the mounting rails, a spray in bed liner, a tonneau cover and the tie downs for the truck camper we will be using for one or two nighters.

Then, based on what pin box is on the fiver I get I will decide which way to go vis a vis the hitch/pin box. It'll just be a drop in.

 

[westxsrt10]

IMO...Wait and see how it pulls before buying stuff you don't need.

 

[rumaco]

be carefull of these liners...........they rust from the bottom up! Had two and both rusted through..........

 

[oscar]

be carefull of these liners...........they rust from the bottom up! Had two and both rusted through..........

Care to tell the brand? I am hesitating to put a drop in liner in as I will have to cut a hole where the fifth wheel hitch goes.....water will be getting in here.... unless someone has figured a way to seal this.....

 

[oscar]

OK some decisions have been made. (And online orders to match....)

NO spray in liner. Pro's and cons.....especially the price. 5-700, I don't think so. There are DIY kits, but not sure about that, plus it's too cold right now. Finally, once it's in there you're stuck with it. Leave it paint and a quick shot of body color and it will look as good as new.

Fifth wheel mounting rails ordered. Above the bed,as holes are holes. Plan on self mounting and using copious amounts of 3M 5200 to mount it securely and protect the edges of the holes against corrosion. Also ordered a Curt 20K hitch. We'll see what is on whatever coach we get, and try the ride as it comes. If it's not good enough and it hasn't got a better pin box we'll go that route first. Ultimately if I have to I will get an air hitch, it'll pop right on the rails, and I can Craigslist the Curt. We'll try the more affordable plan first, as there is some major cash layout happening here.

Meanwhile, if I didn't mention it, we're also going to be toting a truck camper (TC). (No, not at the same time lol) So, I will need to build up the floor around the rails. (1.16") Had the idea to make fitted boat like grates out of Trex or similar, think NICE fitted pallets. 3....one in front, one in between and one behind the rails. With a rubber mat on it the TC will stay put. When pulling the fiver whatever is in the bed will stay out of the puddles. Also, it will be easy to mount some tie down hooks or even the snazzy rails on the Trex for strapping down fuel cans, as I HATE having those in the basement. Finally, I can easily take it all out and clean the thing once in a while.

When not using either camper I will have a tonneau to keep it all dry.

All the bits and pieces for the above plan have been ordered. Add two grand to the bottom line. (Includes the whole tie down setup for the TC, but not the Trex)

Off to the dealer to take delivery of "Super Max"......oh boy oh boy...... I feel like a kid at Christmas time.

 

[scottyb]

I will never own a pickup without a spray-in bedliner. I can't imagine what my last 3 trucks would have looked like after 200K+ miles without it. Not to mention, the Slip-N-Slide surface. But then again, they are work trucks and are my daily drivers, and have to put up with some abuse.

 

[oscar]

Allrighty then....this oughta do it.....

 

[Sandpirate69]

Welcome to the Bow Tie Camp.

 

[oscar]

Welcome to the Bow Tie Camp.

Actually.....since 1996 I have gone astray only a few times....had an illicit affair with a Honda, a Benz, a Jaguar (should have seen her legs!!!) and a VW.... but overall me and the Mrs have been loyal bow tie-ers......3 'Burbans and 5 pu's.......

 

[scottyb]

That's a gorgeous truck Oscar. I am a big fan of Silver.

 

[caissiel]

I owned 6 trucks in 30 years and work them all the time and never had a liner. 2 had liners that I removed because I hated the slippery surface and one used truck that had a liner before I bought It and the floor paint was worn out. The floors never failed me.

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