Turning Point Pin Box and Don't Use it?

[J Maguire]

Thanks for all the replies.

Currently using the Turning Point but I did drop the pin box the other day out of curiosity, there wasn't much to it. Backed the truck under it and using a floor jack I was able to lower it. Maintenance will be easy. Although I don't believe it weighed more than 60lbs.

Also, talking with Grand Design and PullRite respectively they both informed me the original Turning Point wedge and the PullRite Hitch were created specifically to work together which is why I opted for that hitch, although there are some better hitches available and custom wedges as well.

Regardless, I'm certain to make sure the 8 bolts on the side of the Turning Point are 175 ft lbs and the wedge bolts are 200 ft lbs of torque before heading out, they were all lose coming home from the dealer and it didn't feel good to tow as you can imagine; ridiculous.

Will put some more miles on the setup before making any further decisions. Cheers!

[Malco1]

We had a 260RD towing with a short box F-250, but went with the B&W Patriot slider hitch so we could keep the Turning Point pin box locked. Switching the TP between stationary and pivot seemed too cumbersome to be practical for "need it now" maneuvers.

Our actual experience with this combo was limited to about 20 different campsites, but even with the short box pickup we never even needed to use the slide feature of the hitch... good to know it was available, but really nice not to need it.

I have a short bed F250 and a B&W Companion manual slider. I always use the slider when entering a campground. It's good insurance and easy to engage the slider. A few years back I had a Solitude and a Ram 2500 with a Pullrite auto slider. While making a U turn the Pullrite malfunctioned and the trailer came through the truck totaling the truck. The solitude has a little scrape. The insurance co paid up, but I was charged with having an accident. I was so upset with the whole thing that I sold the Solitude and bought a bumper pull, but now I am back to a 5iver and no more autosliders for me.

[J Maguire]

Well I towed this weekend about 90 minutes worth on flat new highway roads. Found the Turning Point setup had sway several times under light circumstances. No speeds over 65mph. The consensus outside this thread seems to love this arrangement but quite frankly I'm still not a fan. Quite frankly not sure why at this point. F250 should be stout enough for this smaller 5th wheel?

[Indy Tim]

I have been using a similar hitch (Reese Sidewinder) and it has worked great. I went to this after I made a tight turn with my Keystone Cougar and blew out the back window of my short box Silverado short box. No more worries about the cap contacting the cab.

Tim

[Mike F]

My first "personalization" task was to convert the Turning Point to a rear pivot position when I got the 295RL home since I have a short bed.
I can easily turn 90 degrees with out worry now.

I use the Curt A20 Hitch, so I had to buy an aftermarket wedge after grinding down the original wedge to fit failed.
After the 2019 season was over I dropped the pin box to lube the bearing.
I was surprised to see that the shaft and bearing was every bit as "beefy" as the kingpin and well lubricated from the factory.
There is also a lube plate (teflon/nylon) mounted in there so no need to worry about lubrication for that.
I feel very comfortable driving down the road with the Turning Point in the rear pivot configuration after about 2,700 miles so far.

So, you still use the Lube Plate with the Turning Point.
I would have thought that it raised the plate height, thus reducing the Wedge engagement depth...

[J Maguire]

So, you still use the Lube Plate with the Turning Point.
I would have thought that it raised the plate height, thus reducing the Wedge engagement depth...

He's referring to the built-in nylon plate built into the Turning Point pin box. Doubt he's using a lube plate between pin and hitch. Cheers!

[Mike F]

Ok, thank you. That makes a whole lot more sense....

[wenzdong]

I’m a 2021 260RD.
Have not used my turning point. Stays Locked position

[J Maguire]

I’m a 2021 260RD.
Have not used my turning point. Stays Locked position

Are you keeping it locked using a standard short bed? With or without slider hitch?

[TS_Breezes]

Just wondering, why would you need to switch it back and forth between locked (stationary) and unlocked (pivoting)? I think most leave it in one mode or the other.

Research led us to understand the inbox should be locked when towing, to prevent sway going down the road. We didn't have a hitch at the time, and changing between fixed and pivot seemed to cumbersome to be acceptable as a long term solution. The alternative we chose was a sliding hitch.