Air ride hitch pins

[Rogermurray]

I have an opportunity to get an air-ride hitch pin for my 5th wheel. It has not been used for over 10 years, so air bag could be bad, shocks could need replacing. What I want to know is, does the air-ride provide that much better ride and control?

[Canadian19]

I too am experiencing odd wear on my setup. Trailair and Curt Q25 with slider for ford puck system. My Q25 is in awful shape after less than 2000 miles. This included 1 sheared bolt on the slider wheel assembly, numerous other loose bolts, 1/16 of inch where on the Q25 saddles thy are rubbing on a bolt which is on the base assembly. Not much help from Curt as they are stating this is due to an overweight issue which I find hard to believe when I Have just leads than 2000lbs of TW and total loaded trailer of 13900lbs. I have had multiple sources look at the setup and not one can find an issue. Seems like a design issue with the Q25?

[ford_truck_guy]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

I am already WAY over my 21k rating so the Flex would NOT be an option for me.

YES.. I should have added that.. for those of US NOT towing 15ton, the Flex Air is a GREAT option... My measly 15,940# loaded is well within the Flex Air specs..

[christopherglen]

I have the trail air with tri glide on mine. Even with a heavy pin, I can still see it bobbing and weaving out the back window. I got mine to cushion the trailer frame (there were more weld cracking issues back then).

[Cummins12V98]

Veebyes wrote:
I have had 2 Alpenlite 34RLRs. First one had the Trail Air. The second one has a 5th Airborne.

No question, the Trail Air is way better. As already pointed out the difference is in the geometry. The Trail Air has far more travel distance. Hinge to pin distance is much greater. The only plus the 5th Airborne has over the Trail Air is that the 5th has the airbag protected out of the sun.

Air born is going to do a push pull with the sharp angle. No issue with the sun I stay in the Sun a lot.

[Cummins12V98]

ford truck guy wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For the money IMHO the TrailAir air bag kingpin is a great option. "RATED" at 21k, the TriGlide is great but that option is no linger available. People not understanding there were 9 grease points not 6 probably caused it's demise. I tow 23=-25k on mine full time for 3.5 years now.

Look at the geometry compared to the 5thAirborn.

I had the tri-glide... even went out and got a different extension for the grease gun to make it easier to reach the 3 "hidden" zerks.. Mine still failed.. BUT, Lippert made it right and sent me a Flex Air at no charge..

I am already WAY over my 21k rating so the Flex would NOT be an option for me.

[Veebyes]

I have had 2 Alpenlite 34RLRs. First one had the Trail Air. The second one has a 5th Airborne.

No question, the Trail Air is way better. As already pointed out the difference is in the geometry. The Trail Air has far more travel distance. Hinge to pin distance is much greater. The only plus the 5th Airborne has over the Trail Air is that the 5th has the airbag protected out of the sun.

[ford_truck_guy]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For the money IMHO the TrailAir air bag kingpin is a great option. "RATED" at 21k, the TriGlide is great but that option is no linger available. People not understanding there were 9 grease points not 6 probably caused it's demise. I tow 23=-25k on mine full time for 3.5 years now.

Look at the geometry compared to the 5thAirborn.

I had the tri-glide... even went out and got a different extension for the grease gun to make it easier to reach the 3 "hidden" zerks.. Mine still failed.. BUT, Lippert made it right and sent me a Flex Air at no charge..

[larry_barnhart]

the trailair pin box had rated air bags so if the pin weight was heavier than the rated air bag it would not work or even work at all. My story is from helping to install the product on a MS. Easy to change. This was a new bag not used. Plus as was said above it has to be the match to what you have. Great product I think. If you buy it watch your toes. Heavy item.

chevman

[Bemota]

I have a trail air 1621 mod 158778, it has no grease fittings that I can find using my fingers or a mirror and light! It’s on a cedar creek 34rl2, pulled with a 2015 ram 3500 with a curt Q25 hitch, the ride is? This set up I find some weird wear on the pin with 90 psi in the bag. When we move again, I’m going to lower the pressure, no matter where the arrow is.

[larry_barnhart]

I remember very well when we bought our air hitch in December of 2000. I received laughs from many fifth wheel owners. BUT some later bought the trailer saver air pin box and then who was laughing at that time. Great product.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

For the money IMHO the TrailAir air bag kingpin is a great option. "RATED" at 21k, the TriGlide is great but that option is no linger available. People not understanding there were 9 grease points not 6 probably caused it's demise. I tow 23=-25k on mine full time for 3.5 years now.

Look at the geometry compared to the 5thAirborn.

[ReneeG]

Absolutely! We have the TrailerSaver BD3 purchased new in 2010. We inspect the setup before each trip and do maintenance annually. Well worth the ride and to save your trailer too!

[southernsky]

We have the Reese 5th Airborne and love it. As donn0128 said, you need to make sure it's a fit. I know Reese has a page where you can get replacement parts

[Durb]

Has to be better than no air suspension. It has been reported that some air pin boxes lose their effectiveness with high pin weights as the air bag has to be pumped up to such high pressures.