Tripod under King Pin

[Cate&Rob]

Rob,

Do you mean raising the rear gear and/or lowering the front gear? Raising the front gear would unload the tripod...

Rob

Hi Rob,

I meant lifting the landing gear legs to put more weight on the tripod. But, I guess "raising the landing gear" could be interpreted either way . . . raising the legs or raising the front of the trailer.

Rob

 

[Springerdad]

I find this thread interesting. I'm a member on the Forest River forum; it's much more active than the Dutchmen one....... (see my sig) and almost every time there is a thread on kingpin tripods, there is a litany of answers that say no no no for various reasons. Some say Lippert will void your frame warranty. So, that leaves me thinking huh? Would like to see some more input on this.

 

[Cate&Rob]

I find this thread interesting. I'm a member on the Forest River forum; it's much more active than the Dutchmen one....... (see my sig) and almost every time there is a thread on kingpin tripods, there is a litany of answers that say no no no for various reasons. Some say Lippert will void your frame warranty. So, that leaves me thinking huh? Would like to see some more input on this.

Has anybody on those other forums offered a reason why using a pin tripod would void your frame warranty . This sounds like a real "stretch" to me .

You can easily demonstrate to yourself how well this works by setting up the tripod and pushing the front of the 5th wheel sideways with your hand. Now, raise the landing gear slightly and try pushing the trailer again. (It will be much more solid) If you raise the landing gear too far, all the weight will be on the tripod and it will get wobbly again.

Maybe you can borrow a tripod from someone (who has one but thinks they are useless) and give it a try.

Rob

 

[warsw1]

I find this thread interesting. I'm a member on the Forest River forum; it's much more active than the Dutchmen one....... (see my sig) and almost every time there is a thread on kingpin tripods, there is a litany of answers that say no no no for various reasons. Some say Lippert will void your frame warranty. So, that leaves me thinking huh? Would like to see some more input on this.

Sometimes I think you have to be really careful with what you read on the internet.LOL

 

[Springerdad]

Has anybody on those other forums offered a reason why using a pin tripod would void your frame warranty . This sounds like a real "stretch" to me .

You can easily demonstrate to yourself how well this works by setting up the tripod and pushing the front of the 5th wheel sideways with your hand. Now, raise the landing gear slightly and try pushing the trailer again. (It will be much more solid) If you raise the landing gear too far, all the weight will be on the tripod and it will get wobbly again.

Maybe you can borrow a tripod from someone (who has one but thinks they are useless) and give it a try.

Rob

It's like all of these forums........... some are truly knowledgeable, and some are just throwing unfounded things out there.
Borrowing a tripod is a great idea. Thanks for that thought. I guess we will need to spend a few nights in her to find out what our tolerance level is for 'jiggle'

 

[Springerdad]

Sometimes I think you have to be really careful with what you read on the internet.LOL

But, if it's on the Internet, it must be true, right? LOL.

 

[SouthTX]

Has anybody on those other forums offered a reason why using a pin tripod would void your frame warranty . This sounds like a real "stretch" to me .

You can easily demonstrate to yourself how well this works by setting up the tripod and pushing the front of the 5th wheel sideways with your hand. Now, raise the landing gear slightly and try pushing the trailer again. (It will be much more solid) If you raise the landing gear too far, all the weight will be on the tripod and it will get wobbly again.

Maybe you can borrow a tripod from someone (who has one but thinks they are useless) and give it a try.

Rob

Don't you see the similarity to the AUH? We all *know* that voids your frame warranty.

 

[HOWITTRO]

Are you not concerned about crushing the tripod as I would think they can only absorb so much weigh - Thanks

 

[HOWITTRO]

Rob
I could not agree more with you. We have a 2018 GD Solitude and I purchased a B&L Full Timer Tripod and it has taken all the shake out of the fifth wheel when the dryer is operating which is in the front bedroom corner closet

 

[Cate&Rob]

Are you not concerned about crushing the tripod as I would think they can only absorb so much weigh - Thanks

Hi Bob,

I think my aluminum tripod is rated for something like 5000 lbs . . . and there is probably a safety factor in that spec. My pin weight is about 2000 lbs. I have lifted the landing gear off the ground with all forward weight on the tripod with no indications of over stress in the tripod. The steel tripods would be stronger yet. If set up with the three feet relatively close together and close to vertical, the tripods would be at their strongest for vertical load.

I have even used my tripod with my Sherline scale on top, to measure pin weight, by lifting the landing gear just off the ground.

Rob

 

[TNFLineage]

Rob, do you travel with the Sherline scale? The actual pin weight is something I'd like to know and that sure looks like an easy and accurate way to check.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Rob, do you travel with the Sherline scale? The actual pin weight is something I'd like to know and that sure looks like an easy and accurate way to check.

Hi Tom,

I don't usually travel with the Sherline . . . but, it is small enough that I think I can find room for it . . . even with our careful weight restrictions LOL. I will bring it to Florida and we will weigh yours when we cross paths.

Rob

 

[Clsfly]

I've been a 'tripod' user for years and like Rob have had to work a bit to find the sweet spot that makes it more stable BUT I just purchased a Mor Ryde Rubber pin box that moves in all directions and haven't had a chance to use the tripod and to be honest hadn't thought about the tripod not working. I guess we will test it out next trip. I have used mine several times to reset my landing gear putting all the pin weight on the heavy duty steel tripod. I'm calling the void the warranty BS. Whats the difference if it's hooked up to hitch or resting on the tripod?

Wait let me answer that....it's not getting beat up, jerked, pulled, pushed setting on the tripod

 

[Springerdad]

Whats the difference if it's hooked up to hitch or resting on the tripod?

That was my thinking.