Cushioned 5th wheel hitch AND pin box?

[D_B Travelers]

We are going to be upgrading in the near future to a 5th wheel from our 35' Windjammer, and I have no experience with hitches or pin boxes. We will be buying a new Sierra 1 ton diesel dually, and the 5th wheels were are looking at are about 16K to 18K GVWR with what I estimate to be loaded pin weights in the 3,500-4,500# range.

My question is do I need both the hitch and pin box to be cushioned or shock absorbing, or perhaps just the pin box? We do not off road, but like everyone, run across some campground roads that are less than maintained and highways that are very rough. We will not be full-time so I want to have the ability to remove the hitch completely from the truck bed leaving it flat for carrying lumber, etc. I was looking at the B&W Turnover ball with the Companion hitch and the Lippert Tri Glide Air Ride pin box. Will these work together? I would really like to do this right the first time if possible and reduce the chucking I hear about.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by D_B Travelers

I was looking at the B&W Turnover ball with the Companion hitch and the Lippert Tri Glide Air Ride pin box. Will these work together? I would really like to do this right the first time if possible and reduce the chucking I hear about.

This is the setup that I have. I still get more movement in the truck than I expected with the new pin box (I previously had a fixed pin). I don't know if what I'm feeling is normal or not, though. I've never ridden with someone else towing and this is my first fifth wheel.

[D_B Travelers]

Ependydad, is it better than the fixed pin though?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by D_B Travelers

Ependydad, is it better than the fixed pin though?

Yes, but not $1,500 better. I'm just glad I didn't pay for it.

[Kenny kustom]

I have the bd3 air hitch.

I like it. A lot. Absorbs all the chucking and bumps from the trailer.
I also have some sort of trail air pinbox.

Was it worth what I paid? Maybe.
Sure. I think so.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[D_B Travelers]

Kenny, it looks like it sits on rails in the bed. Are those meant to be easily removable? I want the hitch to be easily removable and leave the bed flat for other uses. That was why I liked the B&W Companion with the Turnover gooseneck ball.

[Dave_the_Piper]

I have an Airbox Revolution hitch and a regular pin box. Watching the hitch work when traveling reassures me that it takes a lot of stress off the 5er and truck. Do not use both an air hitch and an air pin box together. It will be like bouncing two basket balls together.
Are they pricey, yes. but I plan to keep the rig for a while and to me it is worth the cost.

[D_B Travelers]

Dave, that is exactly what I thought would happen if both were cushioned. Thanks for the comment

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by D_B Travelers

Kenny, it looks like it sits on rails in the bed. Are those meant to be easily removable? I want the hitch to be easily removable and leave the bed flat for other uses. That was why I liked the B&W Companion with the Turnover gooseneck ball.

Depending on the truck.
I have a short box, and I also have a slider.
The rails stay. Never bothered me.

Long boxes with the fifth wheel prep, there is a adapter for the Hensley to keep the empty floor.


It's got close to 6" of travel.
That makes for an amazing ride.



2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[AquaMan]

This is the pinbox I was going to get if I had kept my 5er.
Ultra Fab TrailAir Air Ride 5th Wheel King Pin Box Lippert 1621 2..
Now, if I was to do it all over again and knew I would stay with a fifth wheel, I would have gotten an Air Safe hitch and possibly a tri-glide pinbox. I had rails in the bed of my Sierra 3500 and had cut the plastic bedliner around them, it made for a near flat bed. I never had any problems hauling anything, and I hauled everything.

[Alex.mcintosh40]

I got the Andersen ultimate hitch. And I honestly was very worried because dry weight on my camper 15k but when I pulled it home and around to the dealer across ruff highway and roads there was no porpuse however you spell it. Honestly no need for all the stuff if you ask me

[D_B Travelers]

Thanks Aquaman, I have seen those on several FW around the storage area. You poor thing, you had to give up your 5er for that terrible old Georgetown! I looked at some photos, very very nice. Congrats! We don't have to have bunks as the baby will be 36 this year. LOL! Just me and Momma!

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by D_B Travelers

Thanks Aquaman, I have seen those on several FW around the storage area. You poor thing, you had to give up your 5er for that terrible old Georgetown! I looked at some photos, very very nice. Congrats! We don't have to have bunks as the baby will be 36 this year. LOL! Just me and Momma!

Lucky you! I have 3 out of the house, but have a 9yr old that's going to be around for a while. Although truth be told, I probably end up in the bunks more than she does! I guess when you come in at the wee hours of the morning, beggars can't be choosers on where they are going to sleep! Momma and the "baby" tend to snuggle up and watch movies late at night while I "keep guard" of the cooler.

[pappy]

air ride pin box best thing since sliced bread

[Jack350]

Originally Posted by Alex.mcintosh40

I got the Andersen ultimate hitch. And I honestly was very worried because dry weight on my camper 15k but when I pulled it home and around to the dealer across ruff highway and roads there was no porpuse however you spell it. Honestly no need for all the stuff if you ask me

X2 on the Andersen

[DKRITTER]

We went with the Reese GooseBox and are very happy with it.

Our second choice was the Andersen.

[Telstar]

Love our TrailAir (now Lippert) air ride pin box with shock, teamed up with a Pullrite hitch.

[BCMCpig]

I use comfort ride hitch. It works great.

Comfort Ride Hitch

[Davidg]

I also liked the B&W turnoverball, and I wanted to have a clean bed. I've had the rails before and I despised them along with that heavy heavy heavy hitch. That heavy hitch has to be handled, and maintained and stored. Some folks leave it attached to the pinbox, but you still have to drive those 4 pins in and out every time, and I just got tire of handling the thing, plus after we set up camp, that thing still takes up half the bed. The Anderson hitch is fairly lightweight, but it still has a footprint in the bed taking up valuable real estate.
To me the best of all worlds is the Reese Goosebox. They make a 16,000 lb and a 20,000 lb version. It has the Fifth Airborne technology with the dual airbags and dual shocks. Absolutely the best and softest towing I've ever experienced, and I never have to pick up or handle anything except for the 2 5/16" ball, and I just turn it over.
Like all airbag hitches, you must put air in it from time to time.
I put 50 psi air pressure in mine before I leave, and I've never had less than 32 psi on returning home.
There are several good hitches out there. Good luck with whichever one you choose, and let us all know after you decide. We're all interested in your new rig. Pictures are great.

[Pierre Allard]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

This is the pinbox I was going to get if I had kept my 5er.
Ultra Fab TrailAir Air Ride 5th Wheel King Pin Box Lippert 1621 2..
Now, if I was to do it all over again and knew I would stay with a fifth wheel, I would have gotten an Air Safe hitch and possibly a tri-glide pinbox. I had rails in the bed of my Sierra 3500 and had cut the plastic bedliner around them, it made for a near flat bed. I never had any problems hauling anything, and I hauled everything.

Have same and they work great....will never tow without it ....over 3,000 miles with it so far and it cuts vibration from road and feel more confortable riding in truck