Pretty new to this... I only have a few thousand miles towing a 5th wheel camper. My first coach, a Sequoia 38HRL had the Trailair Roto-Flex pin box. It was simple, but seem to work well. My new Redwood 38GK has the Trailair Tri-Glide pin box. Love the airbag! Rides very smoothly. Hate the Tri-Glide part... the jerking and pushing is pretty severe when encountering a very bad bridge expansion joint or other similar dips or bumps on the highway at 65 mph!

What is everyone else's take on this pin box?

I'm pretty sure, without trying it first, that I would love the Trailair Flex-Air. Combines the best of both pin boxes. It there any reason why the lower law could not be replaced with the lower jaw from a Flex-Air? I really don't want to spend a $1000.00 replacing this pin box (and can't/won't). Surely it would be cheaper to just change out the lower jaw.

Any ideas or suggestion?

Thanks,

Chuck

x

I spoke to Lippert at the rally. The lower jaw is not interchangeable. They said the key is to keep all nine zerks greased, avoid jack rabbit starts, and adjust your brake controller so that the truck and fifth wheel slow at the same rate when brakes are applied.

We have a Tri glide with more than 30k miles and works as advertised. The only problem we have is weather checking of the air bags probably from UV light in the desert. The bags are replaceable for about $200.

We have completed about 25K miles over almost 4 years and have finally got the bugs out and am now happy with the tri-glide operation.

Basically you can never grease this too much. At the beginning of this trip I gave each grease nipple 3 shots of grease and drove for about 60 miles, then greased it again. I add more grease about every 1,000 miles or earlier, if I get the slamming on take off or braking.

The air bag I keep lower pressure than most - 45 to 50 psi. We have a 36FL with 3,000lb pin weight. I prefer the ride of the softer bag, as the shock absorber has more effect and the coach just floats behind us.

I had the Tri Glide and did not like the ride it was giving me either... After hearing some of the failures on the other forum I elected to bite the bullet and replace my 1 year old Tri Glide for a new Flex Air...
To me , the difference id HUGE.. Love it , and glad I did so , not glad it cost us $1,000.00 , but it was worth it TO US.

Not sure how greasing this thing will make it operate better... but will take your word for it. This one of those things that I want to know how and why on. I'll grease it up well and take it for a test ride soon.

I run 75 psi in my air bag, seems to be about right for me. I have around 3,500 lbs of pin weight.

Thanks,

Chuck

Spent a few hours this afternoon fooling with my Trailair Tri-glide... Took peoples advice and greased it well, all 9 fittings. Surprisingly (or not) it was not properly greased. It took many pumps to get some grease to squirt out past the seals. Most of it was my new red colored grease instead of the factory grease that was very dark green or black. Obviously, it needed greased pretty badly. Hopefully this will improve the operation.

While I was there I installed a elbow on the air valve. This will make it easier to add air. I have a Pull-rite Super-glide hitch in my truck. It requires the use of a capture plate on the pin box to work. Really didn't like how it was barely attached with three set screws. The main set screw on the king pin was okay, but the two front screws were iffy at best. Matter of fact, it actually fell off while I was greasing the Tri-glide. Decide to install two 1/4"x 20 machine screws to attach it much more safely and securely. Here are some pictures.

You can see the two new machine screws holding the capture plate on securely now

I counter sunk the head so as not interfere with the hitch. Used aircraft alloy machine screws with grade 8 washers and nylock nuts. Much more secure now!

Air valve much easier to reach now.

I think these modification will improve the operation and definitely makes me feel safer and more secure.

Chuck

Chuck ,
I like what you did there! I am just waiting for mine to drop on me while I am doing something close by and take off a toe or 2 . .
Looks like I just added to my to-do list . .

x

Yup, I went a little further extending the air valve using galvanized pipe. The spacers are wood attached with double faced tape. I didn't want to drill into the hitch.

Ken

I've been following this conversation because this is also my first experience with the Trailair Tri-glide. Before I hitched up the first time my thoughts were "Great, this will be so much better", then after adjusting the pressure on the pin and airbags on the truck we rocked and rolled down US 101 - almost felt like we could get sea sick from all the rolling. But after reading this thread, I greased all 9 fittings, reduced the pressure down to 50 on the pin and on the truck, and had a very comfortable ride yesterday as we came east towards Reno. Thanks for the tips, and it DOES make a difference and all is well!

I air mine up before hooking up the coach

Paul - before changing everything and going to the MorRyde Pinbox and a Comfort Ride hitch I usually ran about 70-75 lbs in the TriGlide and the airbags in the truck anywhere from 40-65 depending on the road. Usually about 45-48. Have an onboard compressor with remote so it's easy to change.

With the new setup, I may have the airbags for sale. Best ride is with the bags at 8-10 lbs and at that point they're just along for the ride. Difference in the new hitch is nothing short of amazing.