Troublesome Lippert TrailAir

[BDavis]

So I recently "upgraded" to this pin box assembly. Unfortunately though it smoothed out the up and down jarring over bumps it has amplified the "chucking" significantly. I have contacted Lippert only to be given a run around and different "set ups" to try to correct the issue. The seller pushed me off as well citing their 30 day return policy. I have only had it 40 days and towed 4 trips. Recent trip of 800 miles. I think I have an idea of what is happening and looking to see if anybody else had similar issues. First, it was installed correctly and air bag inflated to the proper level. Trailer is level. I am using a CURT Q20 receiver. I DID NOT have this issue with the rigid factory pin box. I upgraded I for the up and down jarring over bumps. What I have noticed is when inflated the "bag" changes the attitude of the pin. It puts it at an angle which when connected forces the hitch head forward striking to front of the hitch. As the pin box compresses it "jars" the hitch head back and forth against the front of the hitch body thus transmitting the "chucking" into the truck. The want to be engineer in me also speculates that since the pivot point is behind the bag that the arm articulates on an arc thus lengthening the distance from the pivot to the pin slightly. This lengthening "pushes" as it compresses.

Ok.....Go??

[18CrewDually]

I don't have or recommend that model. I prefer the fixed pin plate. I think that is where you picked up the chucking because of the 2 pivot points allow it to rock back and forth. A camera or phone recording the hitch from the side view may show more.
It also appears the bag was not inflated enough.
I'd experiment with air pressures and see if it gets better.
Are you willing to video it in action then maybe we can get to the root of the cause? A Gopro or cell phone in a mount would work.

[BandJCarm]

I have trouble keeping mine inflated to the arrows. The fix is probably to remove the valve stem and reseat. They apparently get 'cross threaded' or something and aren't seated properly. But so far I've been too lazy and I just add air after I hook up. If it's low on air, it surely doesn't do as well.

[Cumminz]

I agree with 05. The bag does look under inflated and the shock is not extended to arrow point. The lower part of the Tri-hitch is a poor attempt by TrailAir to rid their hitch of the bucking. My DemCo hitch on my DayDreamer IMO is the best hitch made. The bottom part of your hitch is designed to rock forward and jog back when coach lunges or bucks. The problem with their design is they only have a pad of rubber. DemCo has four a design that forces the centering of the pin and this centering force increases as pin load increases. As earlier you really need to video the hitch in motion.

https://youtu.be/6349rwmDOqY

[spock123]

I had trouble with mine and once I took the valve stem out and put some teflon tape on the stem and screwed it back in the problem was solved. Couldn't be happier

[drittal]

Looking at pictures online, it would seem others have the face of the 5th wheel hitch closer to level.

[drittal]

Looking at other pics and your pic, you don't have enough air. The shock in the front has a sticker with and arrow instructing inflate to this point. You are not.

[spock123]

My TrailAir looked the same before I fixed the leaking valve stem

[18CrewDually]

Hey Spock, all in all are you happier now? More air and no leak cured yours? It seems you got it worked out.

[spock123]

It did. I couldn't figure it out, the bladder leaked but not all at once. People on said fix the leak and that would fix the problem and guess what it did. It works great now, it is at the arrows now. I would have took a picture on my last trip but I had granddaughter in a car seat. I'm glad I listened to some people on here. I called the factory too, I hate to say it but I got the best help on this forum. I just did not think that the leaking bladder was the problem

[BDavis]

Originally Posted by 05CrewDually

I don't have or recommend that model. I prefer the fixed pin plate. I think that is where you picked up the chucking because of the 2 pivot points allow it to rock back and forth. A camera or phone recording the hitch from the side view may show more.
It also appears the bag was not inflated enough.
I'd experiment with air pressures and see if it gets better.
Are you willing to video it in action then maybe we can get to the root of the cause? A Gopro or cell phone in a mount would work.
Attachment 131940

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I did in fact add more air adjusting it to the top of the arrows. It did improve slightly but not enough for me to be happy with it. I did a bunch of research but I guess this is one of those where you don't know till you try it. I am going to do video and post.

[BDavis]

Problem solved....Sold it....Thanks for nothing Lippert. Talked me in circles. After trying ALL of their suggestions it still "chucked" badly. Looking at the Reese 5th Airborne now.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by BDavis

Problem solved....Sold it....Thanks for nothing Lippert. Talked me in circles. After trying ALL of their suggestions it still "chucked" badly. Looking at the Reese 5th Airborne now.

Best of luck to you. Let us know what you end up with next.

[jacknife]

I have a hensly air ride hitch they are pricey but worth every penny trailer floats no chucking no beat up trailer !

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by BDavis

Problem solved....Sold it....Thanks for nothing Lippert. Talked me in circles. After trying ALL of their suggestions it still "chucked" badly. Looking at the Reese 5th Airborne now.

I feel for you having attempted to deal with Lippert also. If they would spend as much time learning about the garbage they peddle as they do perfecting "talking in circles" everyone would be better off. Its a terrible company.

Anytime you can eliminate a Lippert piece and replace with something else you'll be better off about 99.9% of the time. The bad thing is buying something without a ton of LCI junk on it is next to impossible.

Good Luck

[W5CI]

I still don't understand Chucking, I was told it is when the TT jerks your TV back and forth. I guess I am lucky because I don't have that problem. My TrairAir works just fine but it only works Up and Down. Anytime you put a 15 to 20K trailer behind a 7K TV you are probably going to experience some jerking. IMHO

[Captain America]

Check AirSafe hitch, would have to sell your Curt but RV floats on a cloud. 100% improvement over static hitch.

[Kenny kustom]

I'm selling my Hensley BD3, if you
Want to come to Canada....

[gas20]

I have a 2011 Coachmen Brookstone, with a Trail Air hitch on it (bought it used). The fifth wheel when loaded on truck compresses the hitch to where the fifth wheel front end cap will strike the hitch and rub. Called Libbert and they said after measurement s that there was 1/2 inch to much space between the pin box and front frame at the front legs. Libbert suggested pin box might have a broken weld, which was checked and all ok. Now they suggest that it might be up in the front sides of the trailer and would be a manufacturers promblem.

My question is? Could there be something wrong in the hitch it self, it looks pretty simple, other than the air bag? Thanks

[trbomax]

5th airborne,no chuck,no buck.