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  1. #1
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    5th wheel pin box hits rails

    A question for you 5th wheelers: Does your pin box sit lower than your truck’s rails? Mine does, and its making a mess of my roltrax cover’s tracks. It hits them when turning about 45 degrees. If you have this issue, how do you keep this from happening?


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    Site Team xrated's Avatar
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    The bottom of the 5th wheel nose area should have at least 5-6" from it to the top of the bed rails. Make sure that the hitch (if adjustable) is set at it's highest position and also make sure the pin box is bolted in the lowest position.
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    Long Hauler geotex1's Avatar
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    Also, the tonneau tracks on MANY different brands and models of bed covers are simply are not compatible with pinboxes because of the interference. In fact, a good majority of the rolling/retractable covers have this issue in turns.
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    A question for you 5th wheelers: Does your pin box sit lower than your truck’s rails? Mine does, and its making a mess of my roltrax cover’s tracks. It hits them when turning about 45 degrees. If you have this issue, how do you keep this from happening?
    Not knowing what truck you have, I’m guessing you might be SOL with that roll up cover. I recall when I was researching tonneau covers that was a concern for some. That’s why I chose the Bakflip because the rails don’t impede too far into the bed.

    Hopefully someone else can chime in with a better suggestion for you.
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  5. #5
    Seasoned Camper Skilletface's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wannabervin View Post
    A question for you 5th wheelers: Does your pin box sit lower than your truck’s rails? Mine does, and its making a mess of my roltrax cover’s tracks. It hits them when turning about 45 degrees. If you have this issue, how do you keep this from happening?


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    At the risk of being overly critical, if you are allowing your self to maneuver into at 45 degree angle (enough to post this) perhaps you should consider a Turning Point Hitch. A Turning Point Hitch will move the pivot point back 23” and the pin box would stay in place and eliminate potential contact with your cover rails.
    An angle of 45 degrees virtually eliminates seamless maneuvering and the stress on the suspension and tires are only measured by what fails first.
    A direct answer to your question is to look for some type of hitch/pin box that pivots under the fifthwheel mounted at the trailer.
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by orbsah View Post
    Not knowing what truck you have, I’m guessing you might be SOL with that roll up cover. I recall when I was researching tonneau covers that was a concern for some. That’s why I chose the Bakflip because the rails don’t impede too far into the bed.

    Hopefully someone else can chime in with a better suggestion for you.
    That may be, but it seems to me, that even without the tracks, the pin box would eventually hit the truck rails. Impact with the tracks occurs maybe a couple of inches sooner than impact would occur with the truck’s rails.


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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Skilletface View Post
    At the risk of being overly critical, if you are allowing your self to maneuver into at 45 degree angle (enough to post this) perhaps you should consider a Turning Point Hitch. A Turning Point Hitch will move the pivot point back 23” and the pin box would stay in place and eliminate potential contact with your cover rails.
    An angle of 45 degrees virtually eliminates seamless maneuvering and the stress on the suspension and tires are only measured by what fails first.
    A direct answer to your question is to look for some type of hitch/pin box that pivots under the fifthwheel mounted at the trailer.
    Interesting concept. Hoping to solve this issue without spending big bucks. I’ve contacted Curt with the issue and am waiting for their response.


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  8. #8
    Big Traveler
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    On my '13 F150 SB SCREW with Reese 16K 5th wheel hitch, purchased a GD Reflection 150 fifth wheel with the Lippert Turning Point pin box. I also have a roll back Pace Edwards JackRabbit cover on my SCREW. No problems with clearance of trailer over bed rails or pin box clearance.

    Tips used for setup (istalled all myself except pin box): Set hitch head on highest level on support legs - clears bed rails by 5-6 inches, never touches. Roll back was setup using Pace Edwards install instructions. Roll back doesn't interfere with hitch operation when open, and, clears hitch head when opened or closed to hide contents in bed when trailer not connected.

    One thing about Lippert Turning Point pin box you might consider........ for whatever reason, dealers in and around my area (including my selling dealer??) do not offer or even know that the Turning Point box requires annuall lubrication to the spindle and bearings (as stated in the supplied manufactuers manual)???? So....... if you decide to go that route, be prepared to maintenance the spindle and nut yourself. You'd think that mainetence revenue alone would solve THAT dilema...... NOT?

    BTW, JFYI, the Reese Sidewinder pin box (similiar to the Turning Point in how it works), does appear to HAVE dealers who know the required maintenance and will offer to do so. Go figure????? Might consider that route just for the convenience of not having to do it yourself.

  9. #9
    Commercial Member huntr70's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wannabervin View Post
    That may be, but it seems to me, that even without the tracks, the pin box would eventually hit the truck rails. Impact with the tracks occurs maybe a couple of inches sooner than impact would occur with the truck’s rails.


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    A couple inches on the bed sides equates to unrealistic turning radius in the overall scheme of things.

    I ran into that issue when looking at rolling bed covers. I now use a folding one that has no framing that stays in place, it all flips forward and I can tow with it in the forward position.
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  10. #10
    Long Hauler D2Reid's Avatar
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    I have the Gator Trax, very similar to Roll Trax. On mine the hitch never touches the side of the truck. What I found was that when backing into un-even sites the roll of the trailer would cause the under side of the 5th wheel overhang to rub the top of the rails, and subsequently, the Gator Trax rails. Add my skirt rail to the mix. I have caught the skirt rail on the Gator Trax rail and tore the crap out things. It also crushes the molding around the under side of the 5th wheel overhang.

    It only happens once in a while when I am trying to get into an un-even site. So I just roll with it, fix the damage when it occurs.

    I think if your hitch pin box is hitting the side of you truck you may have an improper installation.
    Dallas
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