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03-20-2019, 07:52 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #23419
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Air bags or air ride pin box
I have a 19 High Country 384BR I'm towing with a 19 F350 King Ranch, Crew Cab, 4WD, Long Bed, FX4, 6.7., Curt 16K hitch. I am noticing quite a bit more vertical chucking when going over uneven bridge approaches than with the old truck, a 2005 F350 Lariat, Crew Cab, 2WD, long bed, 6.0, with rear air bags and a Reese 16K hitch. The nose is a little higher on the new truck but the trailer is still pretty darn level.
I am considering either an air ride pin box or air bags for the truck.
Any suggestions on the best way to improve the ride will be appreciated.
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03-20-2019, 12:08 PM
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#2
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bellevue
Posts: 37
M.O.C. #22834
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In my opinion I would suggest the air ride pin box, the pin box would help on that much weight bouncing straight through your truck because your truck is rather ridged. The air bags may be cheaper but I don't think that will help with chucking.
__________________
2019 Montana 3120 RL
2017 F-350 DWD 4X4 Airsafe Hitch
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03-21-2019, 11:19 AM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 492
M.O.C. #17391
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My trailer doesn't chuck at all and I have the solid pin box. I do however have air bags to help with bottoming out the truck. I have the B&W hitch. very solid fit.
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03-21-2019, 05:12 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
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This is hard question for us to answer since very few of us has had both. Everybody thinks their baby is the most beautiful in the world. We like what we have. That’s why we bought it.
I have a Trailair pinbox and like it. It’s well built a good design and works fine. I’m sure others work just as well.
Lynwood
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03-21-2019, 11:24 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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I have truck air-bags and the Hensley TS-3 hitch on the truck. I have zero chucking. I do get a bounce if I travel over a rough transition and you will not totally do away with that no matter what you install. I would think the air-ride pin box would do much more for you than the truck air-bags.
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03-22-2019, 07:59 AM
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#6
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #23419
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This is a tough decision since I'm getting recommendations for each option. I called e-trailer and they recommended the truck air bags as well as the local Montana dealer. Since my old truck had the air bags and I didn't notice the chucking, I'm leaning that way. Another option would be the air ride pin box and the Timbren air cushions for the rear leafs.
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03-22-2019, 08:31 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: home base IL, OTR anywhere
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #19382
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Just an FYI, if you upgrade to an air pin box... you also add about a 100 pounds onto your rear truck axle when hooked up. May not be an issue... Just to be aware of it.
__________________
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie CCLB Dually CTD Aisin, OEM auto level rear air-ride, B&W hitch
2020 3813MS Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde 8K IS & pinbox, PI EMS,DIY mods by in-house "craftsman", RV security system Mk1 Beagle Alerter
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03-22-2019, 09:09 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Folsom, California
Posts: 551
M.O.C. #21903
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Our setup chucked quite a bit, so much so that when we came upon bridge transition, we would grit our teeth waiting for it. Upgraded to a Reese 5th Airborne pinbox and all of the chucking was gone. I can see the trailer movement in the rear view mirror, and it doesn't transfer to the tow vehicle. Wouldn't tow without it.
__________________
'05 F250 6.0 Bullet Proofed - Sold
'17 F350 6.7 Lariet
'02 Montana 3280RL Upgraded a bunch.
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03-26-2019, 04:42 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Auburn
Posts: 879
M.O.C. #18474
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I have airbags on the truck and have an onboard air system so I can change the pressure in the bags as road conditions change. However, still hate the bridge expansion joints, so we bought the TrailAir pin box and within a couple of miles from the install place, we knew we had made the correct decision.
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03-26-2019, 05:32 PM
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#10
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: ALBUQUERQUE
Posts: 248
M.O.C. #12840
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Looked these up and there must be something I don’t understand. The max for these hitches is 21K lbs. Aren’t we all over that weight. Also the hitch max wt is around 4200lbs.
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03-26-2019, 06:57 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
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It’s the weight of the trailer not the truck and camper.
Lynwood
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03-26-2019, 08:52 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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They call them firestones because it is like riding on stones. I would only use bags for leveling, not ride improvement. Not sure how your hitch is designed but I would look at that and the pin box first.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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03-27-2019, 07:50 AM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #23419
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Thanks for all the posts and information. I think I am going to order an air ride pin box and install that and see what happens. My truck really doesn't need leveling as the rear end is still riding higher than the front with the trailer attached. The payload for the truck is rated at about 4,400lbs and my pin weight is a little less than 2,500lbs. I think the air ride pin box will cushion the ride for the trailer and truck.
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03-27-2019, 08:35 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Folsom, California
Posts: 551
M.O.C. #21903
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrisden54
Thanks for all the posts and information. I think I am going to order an air ride pin box and install that and see what happens. My truck really doesn't need leveling as the rear end is still riding higher than the front with the trailer attached. The payload for the truck is rated at about 4,400lbs and my pin weight is a little less than 2,500lbs. I think the air ride pin box will cushion the ride for the trailer and truck.
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Good choice. You will notice the difference immediately!
__________________
'05 F250 6.0 Bullet Proofed - Sold
'17 F350 6.7 Lariet
'02 Montana 3280RL Upgraded a bunch.
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03-27-2019, 05:47 PM
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#15
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Vacaville
Posts: 81
M.O.C. #22227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Golfmedik
I have airbags on the truck and have an onboard air system so I can change the pressure in the bags as road conditions change. However, still hate the bridge expansion joints, so we bought the TrailAir pin box and within a couple of miles from the install place, we knew we had made the correct decision.
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I just installed the same setup. The wife and I are planning to go on cross-country trips and wanted to protect the TV and 5th Wheel from rough roads. I installed Hellwig Big Wig Air Bags and operate them at about 30 psig. They have a large diameter so they don't need to be inflated to as high a pressure as the Firestones. At rest, 30 psig puts the rear suspension in the middle of its travel range. The bags reduce the potential of the suspension bottoming out when hitting sharp bumps. I went with the TrailAir Pin Box to reduce shock from being transmitted to the 5th Wheel nose/structure. Fingers crossed!
__________________
Steve & Terri
2017 305RL Montana High Country
2017 F-250 CCSB Diesel Lariat FX4
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03-31-2019, 02:01 PM
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#16
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Established Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Gold Bar
Posts: 13
M.O.C. #23169
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air bags or air ride pin box
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrisden54
I have a 19 High Country 384BR I'm towing with a 19 F350 King Ranch, Crew Cab, 4WD, Long Bed, FX4, 6.7., Curt 16K hitch. I am noticing quite a bit more vertical chucking when going over uneven bridge approaches than with the old truck, a 2005 F350 Lariat, Crew Cab, 2WD, long bed, 6.0, with rear air bags and a Reese 16K hitch. The nose is a little higher on the new truck but the trailer is still pretty darn level.
I am considering either an air ride pin box or air bags for the truck.
Any suggestions on the best way to improve the ride will be appreciated.
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You might want to add shocks to your high country, most chucking comes from the trailer axles and the equalizers.
Ray/ 16 305rl with added shocks, airborne hitch pin, dexter equalizers and wet bolts, 2010 ram 3500 4wd crew cab laramie.
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03-31-2019, 03:04 PM
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#17
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Conway
Posts: 74
M.O.C. #23367
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After reading about this issue a couple times since we joined the club , I wonder after hauling a 44 ft. Horse trailer in 06 for the NCHA world championships 70 thousand miles and the trailer had air ride axles, didn't have any chucking problems with it with air bags on the Ram dually.
Wondering if air axles on the Montana's might be the way to go.
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03-31-2019, 03:34 PM
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#18
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: North Augusta
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #21463
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I would like to install a TRAILAIR on my 2018 3791RD....How do you determine the model that will fit?
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03-31-2019, 03:46 PM
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#19
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Brownwood
Posts: 86
M.O.C. #14197
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Air Ride Goose Neck
I am aware that most of you use some sort of fifth wheel instead of a ball so this reply may have no value for you. I use the 2 7/8" ball in a B&W hitch so the floor of my bed is flat and can be used for other things. I drive a Shivalay one ton SRW all the time account the Montana was too heavy for my 3/4 ton Shivalay. The one ton rides well enough when I lower the tire air pressure from the sidewall listed maximum but I do air them to the max when loaded.
My 2015 Montana has a Goose Box account that was the only goose neck hitch Montana would warranty when I bought it. The air bag bottomed out and banged everything pretty hard when I had it aired to the stated maximum air pressure. As usual with everything I deal with I had to find the work around to make it successful which in this case was to increase the air pressure about 10 psi. According to the Scales neither the hitch nor the pick up was overweight the bag was just under pressured. If you have an issue with work arounds and exceeding or ignoring stated limits then this fix would not work for you. It has worked just fine for me.
The air bag's plumbing came with the expected leak and after I bubble checked and located that and fixed it the system has worked very well with no additional attention required other than to air it up as needed to maintain it's required air pressure. There is nearly no chucking with this system and compared to the test drive with the original hitch on a borrowed one ton with a fifth wheel there is no chucking at all. My only complaint with the current system is one that would be pretty difficult to fix and that is the bed is not far enough from the bottom of the trailer.
I have not measured the height of the RV when ready to roll but it is probably all of 13'6" so adding length to the hitch is not feasible. I and everyone watching don't think it will back through the 14' high door when I am backing it into the barn. So far it has cleared every time. Lowering the pick up would be a challenge and one which I have determined not to undertake. Therefore I must be very cautious when entering or exiting some driveways and so far contact has been very minimal and no damage has occurred. Yet. If anyone has a good workable suggestion to ease this problem I am very interested in hearing it.
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03-31-2019, 05:53 PM
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#20
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #23419
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There should be a sticker on the OEM pinbox giving the model number. Then you just buy an air ride pin box that replaces that model. All of the pin boxes on etrailer show the ones that will replace the OEM one.
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