Tom'sRedwood38GK Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I would like to pick everyone's brain for ideas about what to watch for when changing up the pin box on my 5er. What I found out this week after finally getting the time hitch the truck to the 5er was it is to low to tow. So I have found a fabricating shop that is willing to take on the task of building me a new pin box. Questions are if I come straight down from the frame I can shorten up my total length almost 2 ft., will this be a problem for the frame on the 5er? The total length from the center of the pin mount on the frame to the front of the trailer is 52 inches. The total length from the center of the pin hitch to the corner of the truck is 41 inches. If my common sense thinking is right that should leave me 11 inches from the corner of the truck to the front of the trailer. Does this sound like the correct thinking? The hitch on the truck cannot be raised without some major changes account it is all welded together. Any help with these questions would be greatly appreciated and in advance thank you for your input. Life is great when you can scratch that hitch itch......... 1999, Volvo VNL 610, D12/10 spd Eaton, Manual, 370 gears Aka The Beast 2014 Crossroads Redwood 38GK Used to be called the Beast Tamer when I had to tow with my old 1 ton Dodge but not anymore!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 It will actually be easier on your trailer frame. There will be no lever effect trying to twist the frame. Several guys on here have done that. It will bring the front of the rv closer to the back of the truck so be sure you will have clearance. Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Rod Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 No question a straight down pin box will have less stress on your frame than the silly long extensions that usually come on rv fifth wheels. Coming from having race trailers where all the pin boxes are straight down, all these extended rv pinboxes always look like they would ruin the trailer frame. Sounds like you plenty of clearance from the truck to the trailer to do it. I am assuming you also have extra room between the front of the trailer and the back of the cab and/or any deck cargo? It will also put a few hundred pounds of pin weight on the truck due to the shorter wheel base on the trailer, which will also make it just a little easier to maneuver backing. All to the good. Here is an article on different pin box configurations: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-measuring-a-fifth-wheel-pin-box.aspx You should be able to determine which "long" pin box you have and order the corresponding "short" style box to bolt right on without having to fabricate one. clarification: that article is to order a fifth airborne pin box, but the dimensions and oem part numbers are useful to find a straight down box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 The onset of the extended pin boxes is in large due to large number of people trying to pull 5ers with short box trucks. By todays standards, out 5er has a short pin box. There is an older 5er down the row from us that has a straight down box. You cannot begin to tow with a short box truck. The extended pin box will definitely put a lot more stress on the frame of the trailer. Stick a goose neck adapter on it and the stress goes up on the area where the pin box attaches to the trailer frame. Ken Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom'sRedwood38GK Posted January 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Thank you, everyone, or your thoughts and the reason that I need to custom make one is because the air hitch on the truck is a little low and I need to extend the pin box hitch to repair it right for the long term. So yes I need at least 15 inches from the bottom to the third bolt hole for it to work around my situation with the air ride hitch. Life is great when you can scratch that hitch itch......... 1999, Volvo VNL 610, D12/10 spd Eaton, Manual, 370 gears Aka The Beast 2014 Crossroads Redwood 38GK Used to be called the Beast Tamer when I had to tow with my old 1 ton Dodge but not anymore!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Howdy Tom, I have done this a couple of times, if you have clearance between the trailer and the truck or cargo, GO FOR IT you won't be disappointed. I tried to find the thread I started on doing this but my ability to FAIL at searching for anything is legendary, I made that thread about three years ago and I could only find threads I started within the last year, perhaps someone else would have better luck finding it, lots of photos showing every step of the process. A couple of photos to show the difference between the extended pin box and the straight down one that I built. What I started with. What I ended up with, two feet shorter over all and handled much better. 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...
NoDirectionHome Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 https://www.demco-products.com/rv-towing/glide-ride/youngs-welding/ "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted February 3, 2018 Report Share Posted February 3, 2018 Jack and the boys are doing this straight down pin box. Nice set up. Contact them and they will let you know if it will fit. List what you have in your signature and it will be easier to help you. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan412 Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 I would like a straight down pin box too but can't find one. I checked the ones that RVH Lifestyles has and they won't fit. I have a Lippert frame but they are different. looks like I will have to have someone build one for me. 2011 Volvo D13 485/1750 Eaton 13 Speed 2016 Montana 3820FK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Thank you for bringing this up. According to my measurements I need to raise my pin by 3 inches. By doing away with my extended pin box and dropping straight down I think I can do that. Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom'sRedwood38GK Posted February 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 So I found a young man that is in the welding business that was willing to take this project on. I can tell you that he has done an amazing job so far. We have some trimming on the back of the hitch to make it safer on the old noggin' should be done and picked up by Tuesday. Thank goodness I hung onto an old pin box from another 5th wheel I changed out for an air ride. We had the kingpin and plate all he had to do was cut it off the old hitch and build the box. It is going to have extra holes so it can be adjusted up and down to the perfect height. Life is great when you can scratch that hitch itch......... 1999, Volvo VNL 610, D12/10 spd Eaton, Manual, 370 gears Aka The Beast 2014 Crossroads Redwood 38GK Used to be called the Beast Tamer when I had to tow with my old 1 ton Dodge but not anymore!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 Is that 1/4 thick steel? This I what I am envisioning for mine but it will shorter. Is the back open? Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom'sRedwood38GK Posted February 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 John, I do believe that this is not all the way up into the frame just a quick view for my pleasure. He placed some support across the back of the box also so I have a place to put my cords when parked. Then he is going to angle cut the lower rear of the box so the sharp point doesn't cause a health hazard to my head when going under the front compartment. Life is great when you can scratch that hitch itch......... 1999, Volvo VNL 610, D12/10 spd Eaton, Manual, 370 gears Aka The Beast 2014 Crossroads Redwood 38GK Used to be called the Beast Tamer when I had to tow with my old 1 ton Dodge but not anymore!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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