Installing the Lippert 1621HD pin box and plastic cover install

[RollingHome]

Here are some pics of my TrailAir M15 pin box morphing into a Lippert 1621HD w/ plastic shroud (most owners go the other way). It’s a lot more streamlined now so I expect to reduce my fuel burn (yeah right, lol). The TrailAir is a nice pin box but it is shorter than the 1621HD and the geometry is slightly different, because of this my NBS (New Body Style) Chevy w/8’ bed was too close to my RV. In one pic both pin boxes are side by side. The pins on both boxes are against the fork, now look how much longer the 1621HD is. This is why my TV/RV was close, too close for me. I feel better now, the only burning issue which keeps me awake at nights now is, “what’s the auto position do on my crock pot” ? The plastic shroud is just that, some type of plastic, not fiberglass. It can be trimmed easily with aviation snips. The Lippert 1621HD pin box has 2 - ½” holes near the front. 2 plastic inserts go into these holes and allow white painted screws to be utilized for securing the cover. 2 self drilling black screws go into pre-drilled holes in the plastic cover and self drill near the pin box frame in the back. I also installed a hook and plug holder because I was bored.

The pin box bolts are grade 5 and get dry torqued in steps to 150 pounds. I used a ¾’ drive torque wrench because the ole back ain’t what it used to be. This wrench is about 3’ long and really gave me leverage so I only hurt for 3 days instead of 6 days. The bolts also come from HL with heavy body serrated teeth lock/flat washers. This is the first time I’ve seen these and I like em.

Notice the tapered drift pin I used followed up by a straight pin for final bolt hole alignment. It goes without saying… NEVER EVER put your fingers in a bolt hole in shear… Your fingers will become short and useless little stubs if you keep doing this.

I believe almost anyone with a few tools and 1 to 2 hours could put the plastic shroud on their pin box to save fuel.

The guys in HL customer service department were great and held my hand as they patiently answered all my dumb questions. However, I think they have a terrible job and are always dealing with problems and often angry people… I also got good service and help from MidWay RV sales in Salisbury MD. Trailair and the Pull-Rite folks, no complaints about any of em. The entire morphing fun was a team effort between all the above, I was just the cheap help.

Guys you really need to think about doing this, here’s the first step :
01). Honey, I need to buy a Kubota tractor to change our hitch, Kubota has 0% financing and I can’t …
Let us all know how ya make out !

I will be selling all the stuff I removed in the forum and on Craig’s List. Tom

 

[westxsrt10]

Thats the same pin box as my Sundance (15,500lbs) I use a 1/8" teflon disk with mine and its tighter than a drum when hitched. I'm sure you will enjoy the extra length.
I bet someone on the forum will be interested in that Trail-air you removed.

 

[RollingHome]

West10, where are you buying the 1/8" PTFE disk from ? I bought 1 from Hensley when I placed the TS3 order ? Tom

 

[lwmcguir]

Great post Tom & Patti

 

[westxsrt10]

Don't recall where I bought it from. I had problems hitching it up using a thicker ring so 10" x 1/8" worked out best for my Reese Pro 15,000.
Edit...I have a 3/16" thick disc, the 1/4" was too thick to work smoothly.

Tom, you will see the sides of the hitch cover will flap like bird wings while towing but 2 pieces of foam glued to the inside will stop the flapping.

 

[RollingHome]

Thanks Lwmcguire I thought others could benefit from this info. I've seen post asking about the plastic cover install so here's the scoop. It was a lot of work and I'm glad it's done so Patti & I can go out and commit random acts of Rving

 

[porthole]

Geez - If I knew you were doing all this I would have traded ya a Lippert pin box and the ABS cover for the trail air - I would have even thrown in the Teflon disc

 

[RollingHome]

Now ya tell me...

 

[porthole]

Tom is your Trail air using a superglide adapter plate?

Is it a universal plate (version bolted on with 12-16 bolts)?

 

[RollingHome]

Duane, my Trailair uses a universal plate and it is welded on. Even that was a fiasco. The Pull-Rite spread sheet on the web is incorrect. Here's the hassle, Pull-Rite does not offer the 16K hitch anymore. The 18K replaced it and no one (including Henleys) is up to speed with the 18K. The 18K is a completely different animal and not many support it. Great hitch just too new for support. Tom

 

[Larryheadhunter]

West10, where are you buying the 1/8" PTFE disk from ? I bought 1 from Hensley when I placed the TS3 order ? Tom

I received my Hensley 1/8" PTFE disk free with my new hitch. Question: Should I clean off all the grease surrounding the king pin before I install the disk? That would mean no grease on the capture plate nor the underside of the king pin. Surprises me that it slides on so easily for you Tom. Will be trying mine out this week, on our way to the Oregon rally.

 

[RollingHome]

Larry, Aaron at Hensley told me no grease. It has been my experience with PTFE in general no grease. PTFE has all the lubricating characterics in surface tension or lack of. I put my disk on and let the trailer weight seat it. I Don't know how long the 1/8" one will last so I want to get an extra one. By the way, PTFE was invented in the lab I worked in and was a true discovery. Enjoy your trip... ta

 

[katkens]

Larry, Aaron at Hensley told me no grease. It has been my experience with PTFE in general no grease. PTFE has all the lubricating characterics in surface tension or lack of. I put my disk on and let the trailer weight seat it. I Don't know how long the 1/8" one will last so I want to get an extra one. By the way, PTFE was invented in the lab I worked in and was a true discovery. Enjoy your trip... ta

Tom, I have had my disk on for almost 4 years now and its still doing fine. The only problem you will eventually have is after awhile the disk will loosen up on the pin and not want to stay on. If you take the disk and lay it on a hard surface and take a hammer to the center section and spread the disk fingers , it will once again stay on......Kenny

 

[RollingHome]

Thanks Ken, looks like I won't be getting that spare disk. If I did, I wouldn't find it in four years and have to buy it again