Tri Glide Pin Box

[Jeff&Karen39MB]

We have the Tri Glide Air Ride Pin Box # 194170 RPO -045-899340, and noticed while traveling that there was a space on either side where they bolted together, this caused the bolts to come loose every so often and I would have to tighten them.
Our Pull Rite fifth wheel, would cause some chucking which when I adjusted it would go stop for a short period of time as expected, however now no matted how much you adjust the bumping is always there when you stop and start.
Was having some warranty work done at Alliance coach in Wildwood Fl and showed the pin box to the teck, and as they were hooking up their forklift to move to shop, he noticed the pin box traveling upward into the front cap housing he scratched a mark on side above the top bolt showing how much travel he saw, and now it is also sitting cocked to the right.
He was able to put lock washers on all the bolts, and this did close the gap considerably, however I was told to contact manufacturer of pin box who was Lippert. I emailed them, and they have given me a claim # and told me that Eagle Pride RV here at Great Outdoors in Titusville Fl can do repair work, so I now have an appointment for Nov 1st.
I will post two pictures showing what I am intending to translate, and advise if any have this Pin Box, you may want to look at yours, this may or may not be an isolated incident. lets hope it is.

-2.jpg This picture shows the space on either side before lock washers were installed.


-1.jpg This picture shows the mark above bolt indicating how far Pin Box travels upward.

[atom ant]

Was it just the pin box moving with the outside plates stationary? or were the outside mounting plates also moving up into the coach. The only reason I ask is if the outer plates are also moving, there could be some frame cracks above. Never heard of it on this Lippert frame system design (common), but the old ones (pre-Redwood) sure had some cases of cracked pin box mounts.

Also wonder if its time to replace the bolts if they have been torgued over and over. I had the triglide and it never moved, bumped, or had any issues. I got lucky as I really liked the ride it offered.

[mhs4771]

All I can add is the fact that there was a truck load of Tri-Glides sent to the scrap yard at the Rally with Mor/Ryde pin boxes installed in their place.

[ted 95]

Can I assume the Pull Rite is a slider hitch?? If I am correct here is what I found out when I went to their place this past summer in Elkhart while at the rally. The front center bolt that does the adjusting has 2 sizes. The standard and an extended (about an 1" longer) version. My 24000lb unit needed the extended bolt and they could not understand how my unit went out with the short one. He then showed me that when adjusting the swivel plate it has to be almost impossible to ram it past the center point (really that tight 2 hands forcing). Also to "W5" the square bars every time I use the hitch. And only W5 as it will not get a build up. Another thing, the JAWS do need to be changed every so often. If you need to speak to someone at Pullrite I can send you a contact.
When the board starts to plan next years rally I'm going to suggest they ask them to come as they offered to do a seminar for us when I was there.

[RollsRoyce]

Ted 95 Do you know if their is a pull-rite facility in the DFW or Tyler Texas area that could check mine out for me. send me a pvt msg if you would like. RollsRoyce

[Jeff&Karen39MB]

Brad, that was the outside plate moving up, the Teck @ Eagle's Pride has already told me there is a possibility of a weld broken or frame damage, but he wont know until they drop pin box, he did tell me they may also have to remove the front cap and if it is frame structure that will involve Crossroads, but isn't the frame Lippert also, he may not be aware of this.
As always your comments are appreciated.

[Jeff&Karen39MB]

Ted, I will measure my front adjust bolt, but I'm pretty sure I have the extended version, I do have my adjustment done with force pulling slide back into main travel slide, I also saw the label on hitch that said lubricate every time before you use, so I lubricate below the hitch assembly front and back there is an opening I spray into, then of course the jaws, lever assembly and rails.
That is a great idea to try and get them to the Rally, I really like the ride we get, between Firestone air bags on the truck, the Tri glide air pin box, and the Pull rite slider fifth wheel, we get a great ride, if I had one disappointment, it would be the fact that you always have to be straight to hook up \ disconnect as the tolerance is very minimal for error.
If I need to get a hold of them I will get that contact from you, thanks again for you advise.
I

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Jeff&Karen39MB

Brad, that was the outside plate moving up, the Teck @ Eagle's Pride has already told me there is a possibility of a weld broken or frame damage, but he wont know until they drop pin box, he did tell me they may also have to remove the front cap and if it is frame structure that will involve Crossroads, but isn't the frame Lippert also, he may not be aware of this.
As always your comments are appreciated.

I really hope that isn't what it is, but if that outside plate was moving up and down substantially inside the cowling, it sure could be.

The frames are Lippert, but I think Crossroads will involve them if necessary. Technically the warranty should be through Crossroads, if you are still covered.

Wishing you the best in resolving this!

[Jeff&Karen39MB]

Thanks Brad, still under warranty, so that's one headache I wont have to deal with, I will do my best if repair facility allows to take pictures and post.

[Rick and Mindy]

Originally Posted by atom ant

I really hope that isn't what it is, but if that outside plate was moving up and down substantially inside the cowling, it sure could be.

The frames are Lippert, but I think Crossroads will involve them if necessary. Technically the warranty should be through Crossroads, if you are still covered.

Wishing you the best in resolving this!

I wonder if it is a frame problem if that would be covered under the structural warranty?

[atom ant]

I would hope so - but Jeff and Karen might be caught right in that window between the 2+5 and the 2 year.

[Jeff&Karen39MB]

Brad, we wont be at 2 yrs until end of February, so hopefully we are ok.

[atom ant]

Ah I'm so glad! You should be fine then!