Eliminating the Fore and Aft Jerking of a Fifth Wheel

[DonTX]

NOW you tell me! Duh! That would have been a great idea, and I never thought of it.

I got it into position, lifted it up on to a Wal Mart table, then raised it one end at a time and slid a 2/4 block to raise it till I got it up high enough to stab the holes. That is only part of the situation with the RBW hitch I now have to detach the whole bottom part of the hitch to get the nuts on the bolts, not a lot of fun but there is always tomorrow.

-

Don,



If you don't have anyone to help you you might be able to do it by yourself by laying a lumber platform across your bed rails and lowering the trailer kingpin until it rests lightly on the platform, unbolt it the raise the trailer. That would allow you to remove the original kingpin box and then attach the replacement if you can lift it onto the platform.



I removed and reinstalled the Demco Glide-Ride from my HH twice by myself by setting the kingpin down on my Reese hitch and latching it.

 

[NStates]

Towing A Fifth Wheel

I have towed several different fifth wheels-all on the heavy side. I now tow a 2007 Mobile Suites with TrailAir Air Ride Suspension and TrailAir Pin Box. I use the 20,000 Pull Rite hitch and find the combination to be excellent. I have towed all over USA and Alaska under all road conditions. Find this combination the very best. I find the high line trailers to tow best.



2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2



6. 7 Liter Cummins (R) Turbo Diesel Engine, 6 -Speed Automatic 68RFE Transmission, 3. 73 Anti-Spin Differential, Brilliant White, ISSPRO Gauges, Transfer Flow Fuel Tank, PullRite #20,500 Super 5th Hitch, Line-X, XTRA Bed liner , Hayes Genesis brake controller, PML Deep Transmission Pan, Custom Graphics, Pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel.

Norm

 

[HBarlow]

NOW you tell me! Duh! That would have been a great idea, and I never thought of it.

I got it into position, lifted it up on to a Wal Mart table, then raised it one end at a time and slid a 2/4 block to raise it till I got it up high enough to stab the holes. That is only part of the situation with the RBW hitch I now have to detach the whole bottom part of the hitch to get the nuts on the bolts, not a lot of fun but there is always tomorrow.

-

What's that old phrase we've heard since we were kids... ... ..... ? Something like ... ... ... ... necessity is the mother of invention?



Sometimes you gotta make do with what you've got.

 

[TAbbott]

I've been thinking about a 5th Airborne for my toy hauler. One feature the fiver has is a "safe" built into the pin box structure that is accessed through the floor of the closet in the overhead bedroom.



I'm concerned that the workings of the 5th airborne may not clear this structure. Anyone out there have a fiver with both the safe and the 5th airborne? I should probably mention that the trailer is currently equipped with a Venture CJ13517 extended pin box.

 

[DonTX]

Well, I got the 5th Airborne all bolted on, ready to roll. I will give all a 5000 mile road test starting on the 19th.

I didn't know it, but the sticker says it is a Reese product!

 

[EricBu12]

I have the 5th airborne Sidewinder for my shortbed. . If you have the sidewinder, make sure one of the disks is a wide flat disk like a 5th wheel lube disk. Mine came with 2 skinny rings,. . one is correct for the top, the other goes between the 2 units for more weight distribution and less torque on the turret.

Also, If you have a Pull-Rite Super fifth hitch, there is a custom lock block made just for that hitch so it son't slop on curves. I was able to get it free for warranty.

The Fifth airborne sidewinder is a very good hitch. I have a safe in the bedroom closet as well. the unit simply bolts onto where your old hitch was using the same holes

 

[DonTX]

Wow, fillling the air cushion on that thing is so simple - IF you are double jointed and are as limber as a monkey! I am considering glueing on a mirror or something to check air quantity. Has anyone else solved that problem?

Well, I got the 5th Airborne all bolted on, ready to roll. I will give all a 5000 mile road test starting on the 19th.

I didn't know it, but the sticker says it is a Reese product!

 

[DonTX]

Well, two days on the road with my new fifthairborne pin box, and am I ever impressed!

The difference is indeed dramatic, I also notice at the end of the day I am far less fatigued, with the jerking and bucking gone. Thanks again guys for helping me decide to get one.

 

[JGilbert]

Doesn't Hitchhiker have an exclusive on the Demco?



Joe

 

[HBarlow]

Doesn't Hitchhiker have an exclusive on the Demco?



Joe

Joe,



Last year you were correct. HH did have an exclusive right to the Demco for the '07 model year but I guess the exclusive right expired after that.

 

[JGilbert]

I thought I remembered that. My 2007 Montego Bay 36REB 5th wheel trailer came with the Fifth Airborne hitch. I am SOLD on it's features and absolutely love it. The Demco sounds great also, but since the one I have is good too, I shall not be changing anytime soon.

Joe

 

[EricBu12]

Don/tx,

Can you get an extension hose to mount at a more convenient place?. . My airborne/ sidewinder combo has a hose that goes back to the rear of the turret. ... . Maybe call airborne and have them send you a hose.

 

[DonTX]

(just pulled into Phoenix) The problem is not the fill spot, it is trying to see the alignment marks on the shock that tells when you have enough air.

 

[TAbbott]

Don/Tx: How critical is hitting that mark exactly to getting the best ride? What's your experience?

 

[DonTX]

Well, I have not tried to experiment with that any yet. I stupidly switched my air compressor on for an hour or so to my air bags, now no compressor or air assist springs, that makes things rougher than with some air in the air springs on the truck. About 35-40 in the bags smooths the ride a lot.

 

[captainmike]

I put the 5th Airborne on my 12k 5er abouit a yer ago and am very satified with it. The air pressure must be adjusted for it to work right but it is easy with a small battery air compressor. It does significantly reduce both vertical and for/aft chucking. A good unit.

 

[EricBu12]

I found that putting the airbag at 111 psi when the weight is off the hitch puts the ride at the indicator line for the weight of my trailer. . air up the hitch then unload the hitch and find out what the pressure is. . air that up at that PSI all the time and it will be perfect every time.

 

[DHayden]

This fore and aft motion must be inherent in 5th wheel hitches? I don't notice any fore and aft pulling my gooseneck. How is the B&W 5th wheel in this regard? I have the B&W turnover gooseneck ball and was going to get the B&W 5th wheel hitch when I decide to get a toy hauler. I'm now also considering the 5th airborne pin box.

 

[Cattletrkr]

This fore and aft motion must be inherent in 5th wheel hitches? I don't notice any fore and aft pulling my gooseneck.

I decided to try one of the Demco units for my gooseneck. I could never feel any fore and aft movement either, but the "Glider" was very nice. Cruising down the road it was beautiful. Hauling cattle like I do, I do a lot of start/stopping and it's too much movement for that. I opted for the "cushioned coupler" instead.

 

[Bjewell]

The problem of putting air in the spring has been taken care of by the company, they now supply an extension that mounts on the back of the unit for easy access. with the extension they have an alignment decal that helps in finding the mark without "standing on your head". I got mine at a rally that "fifthgear" attended you can get yours by calling 800-710-9783 or by e-mailing Kim Petit at -- email address removed --

Good luck

BJ