Do not need to lube our Tri Glide Pin Box any more

[rob_fla]

We left Milton FL (Pensacola area) this morning heading to Weatherford TX (Dallas area).
I stopped at a traffic light just north of Mobile AL felt quite a bump / bang.
The next few stops and start had a lot of bumping and banging.
Got pulled off the side of the road and our Trail Air Tri Glide Pin Box lower jaw plate has broken 2 of the support pins that let the plate float back and forth.
We are on Highway 98 about 60 miles north west of Mobile AL in the middle of no where.
Now what do I do !!!!
Got on the GPS and found a small local Campground 7 miles ahead.
Took it easy and slow and made it to the Campground and unhooked our truck.
The CG owner came to see what he could do to help.
With the CG Owners assistance, we removed the Lower Jaw to examine what was broken and what could be done.
Two of the 3 shafts for the lower plate are broken.
I asked the CG owner about a shop that could weld the plate in place stationary so we could continue on our trip.
He said his son ran a machine shop about 10 miles down the road.
I took the lower Jaw to the CG owners sons shop and he welded the plate, did a great job.
When I asked how much, he told me $35, I gave him $40 and told him thanks and how much I appreciated him jumping right on it.
Drove back to the CG and the CG Owner came down and helped me put the lower Jaw back on the Pin Box.
I asked the CG Owner how much to stay for the night since it was getting late, he said $25, I gave him $40 and told him thanks for the help with the Pin Box. He did not want to take the extra money, I told really appreciated the help with the lower Jaw, could not do it by myself and please keep it.
I had some black spray paint, so I painted the welded area and aired the Tri Glide's Air Bag back to 70 psi.
Guess we are ready to go again tomorrow morning, what a great find, people that care and helped us when we needed it.

[sinder]

Very nice ending to a nasty issue. I do wonder why your Tri Glide failed. I would want to contact them and get their inputs/recommendations on this significant failure.

[travelin' texans]

Time for the Tri glide flex, hopefully at RWs expense.

[Dave&Ginny]

typical Lippert.........junk.....but unfortunately since they've bought most of the competition there's not much choice.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

typical Lippert.........junk.....but unfortunately since they've bought most of the competition there's not much choice.

But trailair was always a quality product. I know Lippert bought them, but I don't think they build them. Maybe I'm wrong.

The tri-glide was a new project by Trailair years ago that was even delayed back then a year or so because of complications. I wonder if the design is just not a good design. I do love mine though and have never had the banging, nor have I ever lubed it.

[Ford truck guy]

Robert ,
Did you happen to get some before the weld pictures ? That may help with a claim of some sorts?? I would like to see any of the pictures , if you happened to take any...

[rob_fla]

I did not, it was raining, I was aggravated and in a hurry to get my problem solved since it was getting late in the day.
I arrived at the machine shop at 4:30 in the afternoon hoping to get it welded the same day so we could be on our way today.

[Buddy Wallace]

On a B&W Companion hitch wit a Flex air Pin box, what size lube plate is best a 10 05 12?

[GA1817]

I assume you are speaking of the nylon disc. I believe I bought a 12 inch. Will have to check this evening.

[travelin' texans]

I've used both, but the 12" is better IMO.

[Annie67]

We had the same problem, we contacted Redwood and Redwood contacted Lippert who mailed a new hitch overnight to the campground we had to pull into. Fixed the problem and then we had the broken hitch welded, do we have two now. But it was a scary experience.