Upgrading hitch....

[trimster]

Those who have seen the pics of my current hitch, or put eyes on it at the WCR, know that 'Huston,  we have a problem '. 

I'm in the Roadmaster neighborhood so I thought I'd upgrade to the 245. Don't think I'll get a trailer in the future that will exceed it's capacity. 

I'll feel so much better with a real hitch holding stuff together. They will do the installation. 

 

[MoneyMakeranch]

have no more info other than the pics shown   https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/rvs/d/tecopa-air-ride-5th-wheel-hitch/7340591536.html     looks to be all there ?   good luck on a replacement hitch.

[trimster]

Found this one close. It's a 2008 TS3

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/tro/d/oregon-city-5th-wheel-hitch/7342015631.html

Thoughts. 

It is a few years old. Last owner has it for 4 yrs but only went out 5 times.

Edited June 28, 2021 by trimster

[MoneyMakeranch]

good luck on whichever hitch you decide on.   maybe well cross paths at one of the rallies and compare trucks.

Me   2012 Volvo 780 

[trimster]

Anyone mounted a Trailer Saver TS3 to an HDT? Use standard mounting rails? Or something beefier?

I'm now researching a shop to install it in Albany,  Or.

 

[trimster]

16 hours ago, MoneyMakeranch said:

good luck on whichever hitch you decide on.   maybe well cross paths at one of the rallies and compare trucks.

Me   2012 Volvo 780 

Thanks for the help. I didn't think about hitting up Craigs List.

[Radar274]

47 minutes ago, trimster said:

Anyone mounted a Trailer Saver TS3 to an HDT? Use standard mounting rails? Or something beefier?

I'm now researching a shop to install it in Albany,  Or.

 

Yes, we mounted ours using standard mounting rails on a 1/2 plate.  We have been hauling a 20,000 DRV for 5 years without any problems, the airbags are filled to 65 lbs.  The Hitch was used on our dually for 5 years before mounting on the Volvo.  We installed addition rails so we could move it up closer when not hauling anything on the deck.

Safe travels Bob  

Edited June 29, 2021 by Radar274

[steiny93]

I installed an Air Safe hitch on an HDT, didn't use standard rails, used 3x6x1/2 steel tubes.  The tubes were bolted to the top plate on the HDT, then the hitch was bolted to the tubes.  Worked very well in that I could adjust the hitch location via swapping out different length of tubes.

Very very easy

[GlennWest]

I have to say this. I have the ET Hitch by Henry. Actually Henry built mine. My Teton rides so smooth. Nothing gets out of place. I never had this good a ride with other hitches. Even the air ride hitch I had on my dually didn't ride this smooth. There is zero back and forth/chucking movement like most hitches have. Henry really nailed this with his design. It does come at a high price but is well worth it. I just made over a 1k mile trip. Over some rough places too. Lots of construction. Nothing is out of place. 

[Randyretired]

I mounted a Trailer Saver hitch before Henry started selling his hitches.  It was used and I have had to do some things to keep it going including a new hitch head.  I added the 3rd bag.. To increase the weight on the rear axles I mounted it on 1/2" plate.  Our Teton is heavy on the hitch, about 6,000 pounds+.  It rides pretty good about like Glenn described his hitch. I do think Henry's is a better design but the cost to change is not worth it to me.

Edited June 29, 2021 by Randyretired

[trimster]

2 minutes ago, Randyretired said:

I  do think Henry's is a better design but the cost to change is not worth it to me.

This is my logic as well. I'll probably get the hitch for $850 and put another $300 in materials + labor to mount it up. Way cheaper than the Comfort Ride + install. 

I drive up to see the hitch later this afternoon. 

[rickeieio]

We've been pulling with the 3 bag TrailerSaver on our 770 for 8 or 9 years.  No issues. We have a 5x5x5/8" angle bolted to the inside of the frame rails, then the hitch bolted to the angles.

Put a leveling valve on it and do away with the gauge.  Several of us have done it, Geodog, Paul G, and myself.  Likely others too.

[trimster]

24 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

We've been pulling with the 3 bag TrailerSaver on our 770 for 8 or 9 years.  No issues. We have a 5x5x5/8" angle bolted to the inside of the frame rails, then the hitch bolted to the angles.

Put a leveling valve on it and do away with the gauge.  Several of us have done it, Geodog, Paul G, and myself.  Likely others too.

Possible that you could send a photo or two of the way you have it mounted?

[rickeieio]

I have three pictures that show what you're asking, and can't figure out how to get them here.  They're on google drive.  I even tried to email them to you.  No luck.

[rickeieio]

Finally resorted to pulling the pics up on the screen, taking pictures of the pics, and emailing them.

This whole google drive thing is a pita.

[trimster]

Ya. Pretty much. 

Thanks.

[trimster]

Email hasn't arrived.  Hmmmm.

[Darryl&Rita]

1 hour ago, rickeieio said:

Finally resorted to pulling the pics up on the screen, taking pictures of the pics, and emailing them.

This whole google drive thing is a pita.

Rickeieio. Paste a link to the drive location. In other words, move your cursor up to the address bar at the top of the screen. Left click to turn the address blue. Right click, then select "Copy" Come back here, "Paste" in the reply window. Submit reply.

[trimster]

Got the hitch...

[jenandjon]

You will be much happier with that.

[rickeieio]

I re-sent using the computer rather than my phone.  We'll see.......

Our hitch has mounting flanges on the side plates, not the fixtures for attaching to the rails.  I would think any welding shop would be able to make your fit just fine.

[trimster]

Found a local fab shop.  Scheduling is the issue now. Always something.  But we can extend our site here.

[trimster]

Hitch installed. Whooohooo!

The shop did a great job and did it in essentially one day (picked up the truck 10am the next day). Went above and beyond. If you need work done in the Albany, Oregon area.... Sheet Metal Solutions. Big operation that knows what they are doing.

I was a rush job, they squeezed in. Only $920 out the door. I was expecting way more. Like most places out here, cash saves you 3%+ credit card fee.

They built a platform that can be removed if I change hitches down the road. But this hitch mounts on typical rails so welded to the riser frame are beefy rails.

I've done a test hook to the trailer and the height seems to be spot on. We'll pull the hell out of it Friday as we move to the coast of Washington. Looking forward to watching a hitch in the camera that does not flex all over the place and helps with chucking.

 

[dblr]

Congrats and looks like a great job!!!!!

[trimster]

5 hr pull yesterday from Albany,  or. to Ocean Park, WA. On the coast where it's mucho cooler.  

Beat the snot out of the hitch. Up hill, down hill with hard braking, bad roads (the ones that take your seats full-range), and nothing broke. Nice!

Watched my hitch-cam. This Trailer Saver was taking the brunt of it with seeming little effort. Does take a load off ones mind knowing the hitch part of the system is up to snuff.

I do want to extend the Schrader valve to an easier location to reach. Maybe the auto leveling valve upgrade might be the trick. Hmmmm.