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Old 02-07-2019, 09:52 PM   #1
flrtrader
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Pin Box opinions (TERRIBLE RIDE)

Hello,

I am a long time TT owner but recently switched to a 5th wheel for the usual reasons. My last TT was a 2015 Keystone Laredo 322RL and it towed beautifully. I was told by several that I would love how a 5er towed compared to a TT. I purchased a 2013 Keystone Alpine 3555RL that in general is in above average condition. My problem is when I purchased I towed it about 300 miles back home and it was one of the worst towing experience I have ever had. I have never experienced such bucking and kicking going down the highway at the slightest bumps. It rode level with no bouncing a TT might give you but something has to be wrong. It has a Trail-Air RotoFlex pin box. That is the trail-Air with no bags or shock. The hitch I had installed was a Anderson Ultimate. I am not sure that it is not the Anderson but I really don't thing so as it is a very tight fitting hitch. Just curious as to thoughts.

Tow Vehicle is a 2015 Silverado 3500
2013 Keystone Alpine 3555RL
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Old 02-07-2019, 10:48 PM   #2
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It is very possible that when you brought it home, it was totally empty, no load in the front storage, no water in the fresh tank, maybe even no propane in the cylinders. If you don’t have close to 20% of the total trailer weight on the hitch, it will not handle right. Get it loaded to travel, then weigh it with total weight, weight on the truck, then weight of the truck without the trailer to get your load on the hitch. You should be aiming for that 20%.
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Old 02-08-2019, 02:32 AM   #3
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Is your truck a long or short bed?
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Old 02-08-2019, 05:03 AM   #4
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Bobbecky is correct on loading it up.
Does the RotoFlex slide forward and back? If so, the Andersen MAY not be the best for that. My PullRite manual says to "lock out" sliding hitches. I'm using a 5th Airborne with an air bag and shock absorber, works well.
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Old 02-08-2019, 05:16 AM   #5
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Rota Flex has a rubber bumper between the pinbox pin and the box. IIRC there is a shim that Anderson says to use that “locks out” the movement.
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Old 02-08-2019, 06:00 AM   #6
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https://andersenhitches.com/Products...ckout-kit.aspx
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Old 02-08-2019, 08:11 AM   #7
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I had huge chucking issues, and it wasn't low pin weight....four 6 volt batteries and Oman in front compartment. Ended up installing Reese 5th Airborn, and all chucking and bucking GONE!
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Old 02-08-2019, 08:42 AM   #8
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AIr bags would help with some of your issues (set mine at 40# before hitching up). Put a set of Bilstein shocks on the truck (changed mine at 21,000 miles - improved ride). As others have said - pin weight can have an impact. I assume you have a new fifth wheel hitch. Replaced mine last year due to wearing on the pivot points - less bucking.
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Old 02-08-2019, 09:19 AM   #9
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I have the Rota-Flex on my trailer and have very little chucking. I would contact Lippert. Maybe they can shed some light on your problem. I am also using a Curt 20K hitch.
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Old 02-08-2019, 09:24 AM   #10
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ChuckS It appears that the Anderson lock out bars pretty much eliminate the advantages of the Rota-Flex or am I wrong?
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:03 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobbecky View Post
It is very possible that when you brought it home, it was totally empty, no load in the front storage, no water in the fresh tank, maybe even no propane in the cylinders. If you don’t have close to 20% of the total trailer weight on the hitch, it will not handle right. Get it loaded to travel, then weigh it with total weight, weight on the truck, then weight of the truck without the trailer to get your load on the hitch. You should be aiming for that 20%.

Thanks,

No the unit was loaded... Everything out of our TT was transferred over. I have no doubt the problem is in either the Anderson, or the pinbox. I spoke to a dealer and the rubber cushion that is in the rotoflex is suppose to be bonded with no replacement possible. I believe mine has a gap at one side.
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:03 AM   #12
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My 5er chucked terrible the first time I pulled it (brand new from dealer to home). After I loaded all my junk into it, pulled perfectly.
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:06 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
Is your truck a long or short bed?
It is a Short bed... But know of several Short bed owners that swear there should be no difference.

The Bucking seemed to be forward and back. This would lead (Me) to believe it had nothing to do with the tow vehicle.

But I am totally open at this point...


Thanks

Keith
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:10 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gearhead View Post
Bobbecky is correct on loading it up.
Does the RotoFlex slide forward and back? If so, the Andersen MAY not be the best for that. My PullRite manual says to "lock out" sliding hitches. I'm using a 5th Airborne with an air bag and shock absorber, works well.

From what I can see while pulling the Anderson seems solid. The way they are designed the ball fits in a cup unlike the puck style. Which leave _0_ room for movement of any kind.

I actually need to get someone to lay in the back as its being towed to easily see where this movement is coming from.

But as I said... I am staying open.

Thanks

Keith
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Old 02-08-2019, 11:16 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
Rota Flex has a rubber bumper between the pinbox pin and the box. IIRC there is a shim that Anderson says to use that “locks out” the movement.

Thanks so much, I still need to call Andersen... But as said below it would seem that kit would stop the rotoflex from its purpose? But the rotoflex seems to me is designed to coushion up and down movement.

The design of the Andersen is made to stop any movement of the ball in (Any) direction.
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Old 02-08-2019, 12:57 PM   #16
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Just me thinking out loud...these gooseneck imitations, for lack of a better word, may not be designed for the lateral (horizontal, radial?) load a sliding pinbox hitch puts on them.
If I'm thinking correctly what the Rotoflex is, the up and down pivot action will help a lot.
I talked to PullRite before I bought mine and the only thing they said was if I had a Rotoflex to lock it out.
I would give Andersen a call and if the Rotoflex needs to be locked out I would make a call to the dealer. They should have known that.
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Old 02-08-2019, 01:00 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flrtrader View Post
Thanks so much, I still need to call Andersen... But as said below it would seem that kit would stop the rotoflex from its purpose? But the rotoflex seems to me is designed to coushion up and down movement.

The design of the Andersen is made to stop any movement of the ball in (Any) direction.

The rota-flex rotates back and forth against the rubber. This is what needs to be stopped before you damage the hitch, pin box or your truck. This is what the kit from Anderson does. To use the Anderson correctly you need a solid pin box.

https://www.lci1.com/rota-flex

I am not a fan of Anderson and your problems are just one more reason why.

Good luck
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Old 02-08-2019, 01:57 PM   #18
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The Roto Flex pin boxes don’t work well with Anderson Ultimate Hitches. I think you have three options. Lock out kit from Anderson, change to a solid pin box, or replace Anderson hitch with a 5th wheel hitch.
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Old 02-08-2019, 01:58 PM   #19
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Personally I would rather have a hitching system that allows for more movement than the Anderson which is nothing more than a "gooseneck".
It just seems to me that there would be less stress on the truck and trailer with a fifth wheel and pin box that has some movement.
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Old 02-08-2019, 04:23 PM   #20
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dDubya. I am not fond at all of the Anderson hitch. My 2014 Alpine has the rotoflex and I use a conventional style fifth wheel hitch. Mine is a Husky 16K slider.

There’s metal there and I know when it’s hitched it’s hitched. I do run Airlift 5000s and it maintains level on my setup

I get zero chucking and bouncing.
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