#Fifth wheel pinbox install

The pin box can be cushioned and equipped with shock absorbers for a more comfortable ride. You can stay in your truck with no worries instead of having a sliding fifth-wheel hitch that requires you to get out every time you turn 90 degrees. Pin boxes with Sidewinder pin boxes have a rotating turret that automatically moves back when turning to give your truck more turning clearance. You can get a Sidewinder pin box if you don't have a sliding fifth-wheel hitch on your short bed. During the replacement process, we will provide you with all the information you need to make your pin box last as long as possible.ĭifferent shapes and sizes of pin boxes are available.

#Fifth wheel pinbox install

Maybe your truck bed is shorter than 8 ft, and you're tired of constantly having to slide back your fifth-wheel hitch every time you make a sharp turn, so you'd like to install a Sidewinder pin box.ĭon't worry if you relate to any of these scenarios. If your current pin box is technically fine but has no cushion or shock absorption, you are likely to have an uncomfortable ride. It's possible that your fifth wheel's pin box was damaged and needs to be replaced so you can safely tow it. Several factors might lead you to need to replace your pin box. Like everything else, your pin box will eventually need to be replaced for a variety of reasons. When it comes to comfort and turning clearance, it can impact the ride if you don't have a cushioned pin box, and it can also affect how comfortable the ride is if you don't have one. Despite the fact that you might not realize it, your fifth-wheel towing experience depends heavily on the pin box, also called the kingpin box. As a result, the latter will provide a better ride and feel for the tow unit. There are other methods, such as rubber cushions or airbags, that provide cushioning. Solid units are more affordable and do the job. Using the kingpin, the trailer is connected to the 5th wheel hitch by sliding into the U-shaped receiver on the hitch.Ī 5th wheel pin box can be of several types, each with its own design, suspension, and coupler. It is this pin box that contains the coupling system that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle. Located on the front of the trailer frame, the pin box is an engineered steel box. In addition, record how many bolts are used to secure the pin box to the frame of the trailer. You can use the drawing to measure the horizontal and vertical bolt hole distances, bolt size and bolt head size, front row of bolts to kingpin, and back row of bolts to kingpin, as well as the pin box width. How do you measure the 5th wheel pin box? The pin box contains the coupling system for attaching the trailer to the tow vehicle. This box is a box made of engineered steel that is attached to the front of the trailer frame. Before we can understand what a pin box is, let's look at what a pin box is. As an alternative to being pulled along from the bumper of your truck, you tow a 5th wheel from the bed.

Towing a fifth-wheel RV is very different from towing a travel trailer.