TrailAir Rota-flex pin box--will it fit a Monty?

[David and Jo-Anna]

Called my local TrailAir dealer to get some info on the new Rota-flex air pin box that is designed to reduce more of the fore-to-aft chucking. Dealer asked me what pin box was on the rig I had. Since I don't have my Big Sky yet, I gave him the Lippert numbers I have heard other people refer to for the 3400--Lippert 1116 and 1716. He called TrailAir and called me back to say that the Rota-Flex units that are currently on the market will only fit the Lippert 1621 and maybe the 0719. As for the 1116 and 1716, TrailAir rep said they wouldn't have a Roto-flex to fit them until "pigs fly."

Did I get the Lippert numbers wrong for the 3400RL? Or do we just need to drop the Roto-flex from any further consideration?

[bsmeaton]

The 1116 is correct, never heard of the 1716.

[Montana Sky]

David,
What have you decided on the Mor/Ryde pin that you can order from Keystone?

[David and Jo-Anna]

Dave--given that the TrailAir Rota-flex is not available, I decided to go with the Mor/Ryde option from Montana. Retail on that option is $695--my dealer is giving it to me installed for $525--don't see how I can pass up that offer.

[OntMont]

I really think there must be some mis-understanding somewhere. I would be surprised if there was not a version of the Roto-flex for the 1116. In fact we were offered a prototype version when we got our TrailAir pin box. Contact Dale Fenton, CEO of Trail-Air, at 573-489-4238. He will give you the straight goods. (TrailAir was recently sold to Lippert, but Dale told us that he was going to stay on for two years to shepherd the transition to Lippert).

[DL N K]

Per my conversation with Lippert about 2 weeks ago, the 1716 is an extended version of the 1116 and are intended to be interchangable with each other. I think he said it was right around 6 inches longer. I ask about an extended pinbox to help elimnate my turning clearance problem, and he suggested I go with the 1716, which would be fine.
The only difference is the rating, which is 19K for the 1116, and 15K for the 1716 as I remember.
I ask the question as the 5th Airborne that I am installing is a replacement for the 1716 and not the 1116 I have. The 5th Airborne I am installing is about 4 inches longer than the 1116.

FYI, here is a response I got from TrailAir on the Roto-Flex.

"We've come out with a new pin box called Rota-Flex which is availbe to Trailer manufacturers currently. It will be in the aftermarket later. We tested it in combination with the Air Pin but nothing has come from that. I think the thing to keep in mind is that the Air Pin does address chucking if the vast majority of applications. We have just less than a 1% return rate and that includes customers that have had chucking issues. I doubt MorRyde's return rate is that good and they don't even address the vertical force loads."

[Cat320]

My Lippert was a 1621...the 5th Abn I replaced it with is a bit shorter, not much though.

[5rvers]

I'm also looking to replace my current pin box with either a More-Ryde or 5th Airborne. I can't tell what the final numbers are for the Lippert pin box I have. For those MOC members that have an 05 3400RL can you tell me what that number is? Appreciate any help.

[topjustice]

The new and the changed Montanas coming out after October 1, 2017 have Trailair Rota-Flex pin boxes instead of the traditional MorRyde. I'm wondering if this is a good change or just a way of saving a little money. For those of you that are much more experienced with these pin boxes please weigh in. I will be ordering mine after the first of the year, and if the MorRyde is better I might have an opportunity to request the change when I order or have it dealer installed. Thank you.

[Carl n Susan]

My good friend traded his Montana with the MorRyde for a much more expensive Redwood which came with a Roto-Flex. He had it changed to the Trailair Flex Air pin box after the first tow. The Roto Flex doesn't seem to have the shock adsorbing slider for chucking, And its rotation component duplicates what the hitch head does already, The Flex Air does dampen the up/down ride and definitely smooths out the ride. I have neither so I could be way off.

I smell a cost savings measure being implemented.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Some Pin Box's don't accept all hitches. I ran into that with my '17 305RL

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by carl n susan

My good friend traded his Montana with the MorRyde for a much more expensive Redwood which came with a Roto-Flex. He had it changed to the Trailair Flex Air pin box after the first tow. The Roto Flex doesn't seem to have the shock adsorbing slider for chucking, And its rotation component duplicates what the hitch head does already, The Flex Air does dampen the up/down ride and definitely smooths out the ride. I have neither so I could be way off.

I smell a cost savings measure being implemented.

Three days ago we traded our 2012 Montana which had the MorRyde for a 2018 3791RD that has the Roto-Flex. I haven't had a chance to examine it closely but it does appear to have some sort of "rubber" dampening function built into it. I have air bags on my TV to soften the ride so don't feel a need for an air assisted hitch.

I have only towed the new Monty once for a total of about 40-45 miles but can say the Roto-Flex performed just as well but not better than the MorRyde.

[mhs4771]

Roto-Flex and Flex-Air are both Lippert Pin Boxes. DRV went with Lippert several years ago and are not back to Mor/ryde. That should tell you something. I had the Lippert Tri-Glide and it did nothing but Slam Bang back and forth, switched it out for the Mor/ryde last year and couldn't be happier.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by bsmeaton

The 1116 is correct, never heard of the 1716.

My HC came with a 1716 pin box I put the 5th AirBorne on for 900.00 dollars. Hope it fits my new Rear Den, will find out Friday when we pick it up

[prndl]

I had a Rotoflex installed on my previous SOB and it really stopped the hard chucking I had experienced. I still have it for sale as I took it off when I sold the SOB thinking I would install it on my next 5er.

My 2011 Montana 2955RL came with the morryde already installed so I did not replace it with the Rotoflex.

The morryde offers front and back shock dampening as well as side to side. You will however lose the side to side action if you are also installing with a pull rite superglide.

[Golfmedik]

Can't help you with the Flex box, but my wife and I decided to buy another pin box when we were having the frame issues with our Montana. We bought the TrailAir without the flex and it took less than two miles to see we'd made the right decision. Much more comfortable ride. A friend saw our rig at the dealer and noticed the pin box and asked about it. They have a huge toyhauler pulled by a new DMax dually and decided to buy the TrailAir Flex. After 3 weeks on the road out west, the company switched out his pin box for the regular TrailAir due to chucking. I personally believe his was made worse by the lighter weight on the pin of the toyhauler, but he now is happy with the TrailAir. The regular MorRyde we had on our trailer initially did help with the starting and stopping harshness, but that's what it was designed to do. I guess sometimes it is just like anything else, trial and error until you get to what you like. Good luck.

[prndl]

Maybe this will help with inbox identification

I have a rotoflex pinbox for sale on the forum for only$250. Fits the 1621