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Old 11-26-2017, 11:15 AM   #1
mtlakejim
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Pin Boxes

Anyone here have experience with both Rotaflex and Airborne pin boxes? Is there a considerable difference in performance (especially chucking control)?
 
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Old 11-26-2017, 11:40 AM   #2
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For the benefit of those that will be joining this conversation, for me here are my selected choices:

1) 5th Airborne 5AB-S500-700
21,000 lbs
Best price: $943 @ etrailer
Air bag and shock. Looks to buffer up/down (by 44%) but said to also buffer chucking by 60%. Those that have used it and the MorRyde seem to prefer to 5th Airborne.

2) MorRyde RPB72-1116-06
19,000 lbs
$599 Amazon
Simple chucking reducer that is very popular and with reports of being reasonably effective. Comes with many Montana's (not High Country).

3) Rotaflex 176440
19,000 lbs
$435 etrailer
Less common but found on some Grand Designs. Said to operate similarly to the MorRyde but by different means.

I actually wanted the Flex Air but it doesn't come in a 1116 version, so I think 5th Airborne is the closest. I've eliminated the TrailAir from consideration since despite being similar to the 5th Airborne it doesn't claim to be for chucking whereas 5th Airborne says it reduces chucking by 60% (accurate claim or not, it claims to serve that function). Also with the 5th Airborne the components are enclosed which I like.

Welcoming the opportunity to learn from your collective experience!
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Old 11-26-2017, 12:59 PM   #3
hunts800
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I had a fifth air on my 2010, and have a Mor Ryde on my current trailer. Between the two, I think the Mor Ryde does a much better job.
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Old 11-26-2017, 01:17 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by hunts800 View Post
I had a fifth air on my 2010, and have a Mor Ryde on my current trailer. Between the two, I think the Mor Ryde does a much better job.
Can you explain how? The fifth airborne claims to reduce chucking by 60% but I don't see the mechanics of how it does that. The air bag and shock would CERTAINLY help up and down movement, but forward and back???

Conversely, I see EXACTLY how the MorRyde helps chucking, but then again it does nothing for up and down.
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Old 11-26-2017, 01:21 PM   #5
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I used the Trailair Rotoflex on my previous SOB 5th wheel and have the Morryde on my Montana. I would say they are the same. I towed the SOB without the Trailair and with and it really made a difference. I never towed the Montana without the Morryde.

Since I have a pullrite superglide the Morryde is restricted to only front and back movement which is like the Rotaflex.

Different suspension types i.e. leaf springs vs IS as well as location of water tanks and whether they are full or empty all affect the issue of chucking and the solution.
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Old 11-26-2017, 01:35 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by OutlawPilot View Post
Can you explain how? The fifth airborne claims to reduce chucking by 60% but I don't see the mechanics of how it does that. The air bag and shock would CERTAINLY help up and down movement, but forward and back???

Conversely, I see EXACTLY how the MorRyde helps chucking, but then again it does nothing for up and down.
The 2nd person that eliminated a 5th AB I've heard. I'll see if I can find out what he did after going back to the OEM Lippert, if anything. I know he tried everything he could think of for almost a year.


The up/down is my thought ~~ too much stress on welds??
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Old 11-26-2017, 01:39 PM   #7
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Done deal. I went with the 5th Airborne. The price lowered online while I was on the phone with them from $943 to $912, and I managed to get an additional 5% off. With free shipping and no tax that was $867. I couldn't say no to that!
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Old 11-26-2017, 01:42 PM   #8
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Needless to say let us know how the Airborne works for you ASAP.....
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Old 11-26-2017, 02:10 PM   #9
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Needless to say let us know how the Airborne works for you ASAP.....
May not be for a while. I don't get the trailer until April and the dealer is delivering it. Just planning WAY ahead for the first eventual excursion!
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Old 11-26-2017, 02:18 PM   #10
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I just feel the trailer and truck move much more smoothly on rough roads with the MorRyde v.s. the fifth airborne. Less stuff bouncing around inside the trailer. Nothing scientific...just how the rig feels. We run about 10,000 towing a year over lots of crappy roads.
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Old 11-26-2017, 02:26 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by hunts800 View Post
I just feel the trailer and truck move much more smoothly on rough roads with the MorRyde v.s. the fifth airborne. Less stuff bouncing around inside the trailer. Nothing scientific...just how the rig feels. We run about 10,000 towing a year over lots of crappy roads.
I have not heard any complaints on the MorRide and may just go ahead when I get back from Florida in the spring
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Old 11-26-2017, 02:28 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by mtlakejim View Post
Anyone here have experience with both Rotaflex and Airborne pin boxes? Is there a considerable difference in performance (especially chucking control)?
The Rotaflex now comes standard on the Montana after the 2017 September changes. I believe the Alpine also uses Rotaflex. Not saying that's good or bad as I haven't purchased one yet.
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Old 11-26-2017, 02:32 PM   #13
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topjustice, the High countries come with a solid pin not a cushion.
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Old 11-26-2017, 02:43 PM   #14
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Looks like the Rotaflex is less expensive than the MorRyde. Perhaps that's why the OEM is using it now?
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Old 11-26-2017, 02:50 PM   #15
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The Rotaflex now comes standard on the Montana after the 2017 September changes. I believe the Alpine also uses Rotaflex. Not saying that's good or bad as I haven't purchased one yet.
I had the Morryde on the 2012 and now the Rotoflex on the 2018. Can't tell any difference.
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Old 11-26-2017, 03:51 PM   #16
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I had the Morryde on the 2012 and now the Rotoflex on the 2018. Can't tell any difference.
That's good to know. Better use the OEM for awhile before spending on a replacement. I will have plenty of testing as I am picking mine up in Indiana and driving 1,900 miles home.
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Old 11-26-2017, 05:51 PM   #17
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mtlakjim ... didn't get the answer you were looking for in you previous thread " chucking controls"? OutlawPilot will be happy with his purchase as I have been. The pin box plate moves up and down as the air bag loads and unloads. As the plate moves your fifth wheel plate tilts fore or aft ... that's how the chucking is somewhat absorbed. As with many testimonials not everyone has the same conclusion. Hunts800 conclusion is that the MorRyde does better ... I feel the opposite ... Fifth Airborne does better. Maybe I played with air pressures and puck location more. I can look in my mirror and see and feel the Fifth Airborne pin box absorb some of the road shock ... with the MorRyde all is saw was back and forth movement. The TrailAir is very much like the Airborne ... it's just hinged the opposite way ... I've seen a good many of them in our travels ... like I mentioned in another thread ... I just didn't like all the hardware sticking out in front of the pin box. Heck ... just buy any pin box and try it ... if you don't like it, sell it on Craig's List. You'll find you'll get enough responses that you will get asking price easily. I own that tee shirt.
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Old 11-26-2017, 06:20 PM   #18
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I'm happy with the deal I got. dieselguy. Your comments help reinforce that I did right getting #1 on my list.
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Old 11-26-2017, 06:35 PM   #19
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Dieselguy, Outlaw and I were having a conversation about the pins on another thread and I decided to bring it to here for more input. I told him I had a previous thread on the same subject but he wasn't part of that one.
My deepest apologies for the repeat irritating you.
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Old 11-26-2017, 07:09 PM   #20
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One thing I haven't seen mentioned is airbags. As I said before, I haven't yet picked up my Montana but I do have Firestone airbags on my TV from my earlier 5er. With airbags already installed, does that change the recommended pin box choices?
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