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Old 02-15-2007, 01:24 PM   #1
Verle and Sue
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Hitch, Pin Box???

Okay, I'll admit to feeling terribly stupid right about now. My hubby and I were trying to discuss what kind of hitch etc. we need for our truck for our 3400 or 340, whichever. It's a long bed F-350. We can't seem to determine what the terms mean, we've seen Hitch Pin, Pin Box, Hitch all seemingly used interchangably (not to mention all the brand names). Can somebody please deconfuse this issue? Which do we need for the 5er and which for the truck? Everybody seems real pleased that the Mohr/Ride is available now on the 5er, but exactly what is it (hitch pin? pin box?). Then what is a matching/compatible hitch for the truck and what is the appropriate "name" for this item? Thanks so much for your help. Sue C
 
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Old 02-15-2007, 01:34 PM   #2
bsmeaton
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Sue,

The "pin box" is already on the trailer (what connects to the truck). The "hitch pin" is the pin sticking out of the bottom of the pin box. The "hitch" is what gets mounted in the truck to receive the hitch pin.

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Old 02-15-2007, 02:07 PM   #3
Montana Sky
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Sue,

You will need a hitch for your truck, and as Brad said; "the king pin is already on the trailer". I really like the Pullrite hitches, for your long bed, I would take a look at the Super 5th. With the automatic locking mechanism, you will know the kingpin has been properly locked into place on the hitch. Having a 4 way pivot head is another nice feature.

On the kingpins, adding an after market "air type" pin is something that comes from personal choice. I have the standard pin that came with the coach, cannot find a reason to spend the additional $$$$ on an after market pin. I like to try things the way they are first, and if you find that your ride is too bumpy or harsh for your liking, then look into purchasing a different king pin. Just my two cents worth....
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Old 02-15-2007, 02:12 PM   #4
ols1932
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As far as hitches go, it depends on how much travel you intend to do. If you are just occasional travelers then any of the standard hitches are good. However, if you are going to be traveling 18,000 - 20,000 miles per year you may want to invest a little more money and go for any of the air ride hitches. Since I have the TrailerSaver hitch, naturally I'm going to recommend it. But there are other hitches that are very good also. You will get many replies and as many choices. It will be up to you to decide what is best for your situation.

Orv
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Old 02-15-2007, 02:39 PM   #5
Verle and Sue
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

Sue,

The "pin box" is already on the trailer (what connects to the truck). The "hitch pin" is the pin sticking out of the bottom of the pin box. The "hitch" is what gets mounted in the truck to receive the hitch pin.
Brad, thank you so much, just having the terms clarified helps a lot as I try to follow the other discussions as they come up and make a "pros and cons" type list as I try to absorb all the great information the MOC members so willingly share with each other and us newbies. Thanks, again, Sue C
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Old 02-15-2007, 02:41 PM   #6
Verle and Sue
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Montana Sky

Sue,

You will need a hitch for your truck, and as Brad said; "the king pin is already on the trailer". I really like the Pullrite hitches, for your long bed, I would take a look at the Super 5th. With the automatic locking mechanism, you will know the kingpin has been properly locked into place on the hitch. Having a 4 way pivot head is another nice feature.
Thank you, I had noticed on another discussion someone mentioning a 4 way pivot head, but just couldn't make sense of it without clarification of which item was which. Sue C
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Old 02-15-2007, 02:46 PM   #7
Verle and Sue
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by ols1932

As far as hitches go, it depends on how much travel you intend to do. . . . go for any of the air ride hitches. Since I have the TrailerSaver hitch, naturally I'm going to recommend it. But there are other hitches that are very good also. You will get many replies and as many choices. It will be up to you to decide what is best for your situation.

Orv
Thanks, Orv. For now we will be "destination campers" but we are purchasing with the plan to make it to long timers within a couple of years and then full-time after Verle's retirement. Therefore, we are trying to plan for the future rather than just a "for now" item. We happen to be in a situation to afford all this within the next 6 months, so we want to make the best "bang for our buck", so to speak. I realize every choice is ultimately ours to make and we will make it, but you and the other MOC members provide us with fantastic input, (as well as actual experience, not just advertising) for us to make the most educated choices we can. Thanks, again, Sue C
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Old 02-16-2007, 01:10 AM   #8
Tom Gina 06
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You can add an air ride/other ride pinbox at any time. This will also give you time to research and make a choice that will be best for your situation.

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Old 02-16-2007, 03:23 AM   #9
stiles watson
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Hitch pin, king pin = the round pin hanging down under the front of your Monty. The pin box = the metal (usually black) out of which that king pin hangs. It is held to your Monty with bolts.
Hitch = the hardware you put in the bed of your tow vehicle to connect to the king pin.

You have a long bed truck so you don't need a slider hitch, so ignore all discussion of a slider hitch.

Some people want to have a softer ride when pulling their rig. There are two approaches to making this happen. (1) Changing out your pinbox to one with some shock absorbing technology or (2) putting a shock absorbing hitch on your truck.

Mohr/ride use rubber technology to address mainly horizontal shock although it has some vertical shock capabilities. Airborne uses a combination of springs and air cylinders to deal with both horizontal and vertical shock as do some other "air pinboxes". Trailair is a hitch using air cylinders and springs to handle the shocks. There are some other brands, but these are the main ones thrown around.

Shock absorbing pin boxes ($650 to $1000) are less expensive than shock absorbing hitches $2000 to $4000). Everybody thinks they did the right thing so you won't get agreement about what to buy. You do not need both a shock absorbing hitch and a shock absorbing pinbox.

If you don't choose to use a shock absorbing hitch, then you need to decide whether you want a hitch where the plate on top of it simply tilts forward and backward or whether you want a four way tilt. The four way tilt gives a little more flexibility in making up you connection on uneven awkward ground. I have not needed it.

My thoughts on these technologies:
Air hitch:
Probably gives the smoothest ride. It stays with the truck if you change RVs. Hard to remove from the TV bed to make it usable otherwise. Double the cost or more than the air pinbox.
Air Pinbox:
Price is a plus. Gives significant shock absorption. Even though it stays with the RV, buy the time I trade or sell, I expect the technology to be upgraded and I will want the better technology on the newer rig.
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