CrazyCooter Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Went to install my Lippert Flexair pinbox this afternoon and wouldn't you know it....the holes don't line up right! I figured this would be a simple install except the weight of the thing since Lippert made the chassis too, but it required a little tuning to get the bolts in....... Now that the bolts are all in it looks like I gained 2" which will be good for towing with the Pete, but on the Dodge may be 2" high now.....I'm all out of adjustment on every vehicle and as of right now the box flexes up and closes the gap in body before all the weight is set down on it. I'll have to loosen things up and see if I can get it to drop enough to improve the body clearance. Pretty sure I will have to make clearance with a grinder on the front part of the pinbox so it will drop enough. This poor aftermarket fitment seems to becoming an epidemic in all areas! 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunJuniper Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 hope you got a rigid 5th wheel hitch on the Pete... and no suprise with lippert made stuff. unfortunately Almost every RV mfg uses lippert frames and parts.. id go over EVERY inch of every weld on the TrailAir and if you have any friends in the Welding business , id let them go over it with the X-ray equipment... Fulltimer Class of 2007 1998 Volvo VNL64T610 Detroit Series 60 12.7 470HP/1650TQ Eaton 18spd 228"WB Tandem2006 40' ToyHauler 3 slides and a 14' Toybox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Yes, I have a rigid plate on both trucks and thought I would go with the air pin so we would benefit while towing with either vehicle. The weld surprisingly look decent for a Lippert production part.had a look at the welds on the trailer as well reading some of the horror stories on the net. 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 We were out and about this past week, looking at upgrading our 5th. Sales people looked at me like I had two heads when I said "No Lippert frames". It takes a good bit of driving to find many higher end, but used, units. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 No Lippert chassis definitely limits your choices....... I said no products made by Thor when we were shopping but had to cave eventually since nearly everything I could afford at the time had been acquired by them by then. 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Sounds like it's time to go with a rigid pin box, and air hitch. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I would have stayed with my Morryde box, but I wanted air when I'm pulling with both trucks and really couldn't justify $8K to outfit both when it could be done with one hitch. Our style of camping requires the use of a smaller 4x4 truck for winter and the tighter areas and will use the HDT for the longer trips and ones where size won't hinder us. 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 You said it required "a little tuning" to get the holes lined up. What did you have to do? Everybody wanna hear the truth, but everybody tell a lie. Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody want to die. Albert King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Had to clean up the area at the front of the pinbox where the "wings" interfered with my trailer's frame area and that got the holes closer, but then cleaned things up with a die grinder to get the rest happy. I think if I clean up that area some more, I can get the hitch down to where it won't contact the body anymore.....I'm hitting up the fastener store for some new bolts/washers as these have been off a few times and would like to have new hardware to finish it off. Hard to believe they only spec'd grade 5 bolts for this application. I would think the clamping force required would be more important than sheer? 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Lifestyle RV (owned by Evergreen) makes their own frames. But, Lippert still makes the Level Up auto leveling system as well as the Schwintek slides. Really hard to get away from Lippert completely. They even own Denver Mattress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 We were out and about this past week, looking at upgrading our 5th. Sales people looked at me like I had two heads when I said "No Lippert frames". It takes a good bit of driving to find many higher end, but used, units. There is a 2006 Carriage Cameo for sale in the classifieds. Just sayin. They are supposed to be GREAT units...and I don't think Lippert had much to do with them. Carriage is out of business, but they still have a VERY loyal following. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Went to install my Lippert Flexair pinbox this afternoon and wouldn't you know it....the holes don't line up right! I figured this would be a simple install except the weight of the thing since Lippert made the chassis too, but it required a little tuning to get the bolts in....... Now that the bolts are all in it looks like I gained 2" which will be good for towing with the Pete, but on the Dodge may be 2" high now.....I'm all out of adjustment on every vehicle and as of right now the box flexes up and closes the gap in body before all the weight is set down on it. I'll have to loosen things up and see if I can get it to drop enough to improve the body clearance. Pretty sure I will have to make clearance with a grinder on the front part of the pinbox so it will drop enough. This poor aftermarket fitment seems to becoming an epidemic in all areas! Howdy Tony, The lack of clearance between the top of the hitch and the underside of the front of the trailer looks scary to me. I know that part of the hitch is not supposed to move but take my word on this hit a large bump at 60 mph and it will MOVE possibly causing $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ worth of hard to repair damage to the trailer. I also would NOT recommend modifying the hitch in any way, the minute you take a die-grinder to it your on your own if the hitch fails or it does flex and make contact with the trailer. Just my opinion and I may be mistaken. Dave 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 It is going to have to be modified in some way or another or it will be a boat anchor to me.......and I don't own a boat. I know the lack of clearance wont work because it hits the trailer without a full load on it. I'm already 1-2" high so I can't drop to the next set of holes or I will be 3-4" too high. I figure a little more touchup on material that serves no purpose, I can loosen the bolts, and drop the nose down. With the 20" hanging off the front, it should net me 1"+. Too hot to work outside right now and it's kind of stuck in the back yard till I get this figured out........ Good thing the next trip isn't for 3 months! I'm kind of stuck here.....I can't send the hitch back and I need an air hitch....... 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 You guys are just skeptics just look at this impressive list of "goodies" they offer. http://lci1.com/products-list/ They just have a different "corporate culture", it revolves around a big sucking sound of corporate acquisition. This culture was tried once before it was known as Fleetwood Enterprises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 There is a 2006 Carriage Cameo for sale in the classifieds. Just sayin. They are supposed to be GREAT units...and I don't think Lippert had much to do with them. Carriage is out of business, but they still have a VERY loyal following. We're open to thoughts, but looking hard at Newmar X-Aire on the toy haulers side, and DRV if we choose to not have a garage. We did find a very nice '06 Newmar Torrey Pine locally too. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 We're open to thoughts, but looking hard at Newmar X-Aire on the toy haulers side, and DRV if we choose to not have a garage. We did find a very nice '06 Newmar Torrey Pine locally too. Doesn't DRV use Lippert built frames? Everybody wanna hear the truth, but everybody tell a lie. Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody want to die. Albert King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 I thought I read that Lippert bought DRV, but only recently. Prior to that I thought they used something else. I know there are many DRV owners on here that seem to be happy. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 I thought I read that Lippert bought DRV, but only recently. Prior to that I thought they used something else. I know there are many DRV owners on here that seem to be happy. DRV was bought by Thor and yes they do use Lippert frames but speced to a higher quality than most Lippert frames. Mine is an '05 and we have been happy. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 I thought I read that Lippert bought DRV, but only recently. Prior to that I thought they used something else. I know there are many DRV owners on here that seem to be happy. I agree that DRV has happy owners and seems to build a good unit. I just remember reading in Post #4 that you stated "no Lippert frames". Everybody wanna hear the truth, but everybody tell a lie. Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody want to die. Albert King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Ahh, gotta love this forum. Just when you think you have it figured out, someone has more info for you to chew on. My learning curve has gotten steeper since I've been here. So, please correct me if I'm wrong.... DRV has been using Lippert frames for a long time, but better quality units than other makes. And, Newmar uses frames of their own manufacture? I've not heard anything negative about Newmar frames, or the X-Aire, though it appears to me the X is of (slightly) lower quality than many of their earlier units. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunJuniper Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 It is going to have to be modified in some way or another or it will be a boat anchor to me.......and I don't own a boat. I know the lack of clearance wont work because it hits the trailer without a full load on it. I'm already 1-2" high so I can't drop to the next set of holes or I will be 3-4" too high. I figure a little more touchup on material that serves no purpose, I can loosen the bolts, and drop the nose down. With the 20" hanging off the front, it should net me 1"+. Too hot to work outside right now and it's kind of stuck in the back yard till I get this figured out........ Good thing the next trip isn't for 3 months! I'm kind of stuck here.....I can't send the hitch back and I need an air hitch....... stuck. maybe yes , maybe no... dodge , get a Low profile 5th wheel hitch... and adjust the bolts on the trailAir down one slot.. then do what you got to do on the Big truck to get the height down. personally myself , i run a rigid hitch on my Volvo (Modified 20K Hidden Hitch, Yes its a 4 way that came from my Dodge and the mount plate for the Volvo is done in 1/2" steel and plenty of gussets and C Channel welded together.) and i run the TrailAir (before Lippert bought them in 2007) that was stock on my 5th wheel when it was bought new. i got over 40K miles on this setup with absolutely no problems. ive had a couple of Very Hard bounces (not by choice) and no damage anywhere. send me a PM if you need more info. Fulltimer Class of 2007 1998 Volvo VNL64T610 Detroit Series 60 12.7 470HP/1650TQ Eaton 18spd 228"WB Tandem2006 40' ToyHauler 3 slides and a 14' Toybox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 DRV was bought by Thor and yes they do use Lippert frames but speced to a higher quality than most Lippert frames. Mine is an '05 and we have been happy. DRV was bought by Thor VERY recently, like in the last few months IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G&K Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 stuck. maybe yes , maybe no... dodge , get a Low profile 5th wheel hitch... and adjust the bolts on the trailAir down one slot.. then do what you got to do on the Big truck to get the height down. personally myself , i run a rigid hitch on my Volvo (Modified 20K Hidden Hitch, Yes its a 4 way that came from my Dodge and the mount plate for the Volvo is done in 1/2" steel and plenty of gussets and C Channel welded together.) and i run the TrailAir (before Lippert bought them in 2007) that was stock on my 5th wheel when it was bought new. i got over 40K miles on this setup with absolutely no problems. ive had a couple of Very Hard bounces (not by choice) and no damage anywhere. send me a PM if you need more info. I'm using this with an air pin. Works great and is quite low profile. http://www.trailersaverhitch.com/hitch32klp.html George,Suzuki Celerio 998cc Yamaha NMAX scooter Work ride is Western Star N2 Tri-Tri tanker at 56,500kg loaded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 as of right now the box flexes up and closes the gap in body before all the weight is set down on it. Cooter, I am NOT an RV repairman, but I live on-site RV repair facility. I saw a unit come in that had "a little" flex in the pin box and was amazed at all the broken welds in the frame all around the hitch after they took the skin off it. According to the guys here, if you can see the flex you probably have issues MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted July 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 It has flexed like this from day one. Just about every time I pull it, the floor squeaks in a different location. I suppose if it didn't flex some, it would break. If they built it like I would where it didn't flex, they could only sell them to us HDT owners! 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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