Many of you have helped me along as a new owner and I appreciate it.I have something else to throw at you all. I added a Acculevel to my pin box.Now I notice what can best be described as flexing. It may be completely normal I just don't know since this is my first 5th wheel. In the video you can see when I hit a dip in the road my level and pin box doesn't move, but the front cap seems to have a lot of bounce in it as you can see if you watch the horizontal white pin stripe right above the level.Thanks in advance.Video 1Video 2

I see some of that with our FW, but not quite that much. I think it's worth investigation to make sure something is not wrong. I'd contact the FW manufacturer and send them the video to see what they think. Another option would be to share the video with your dealership's service manager and get their ideas on whether this is normal or not.For that make and model of FW/chassis, it may or may not be normal, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. This is one of the times I'd rather listen to the pros, than rely on an internet forum for answers.

What kind of pin box do you have? If it is like an Airborne with the air bag it could be normal. Lower portion stays rigid but upper going through the air bag support flexes.5th airborne pin boxI would check to insure the bolts holding the pin box to trailer frame are tight.

TucsonJim wrote:I see some of that with our FW, but not quite that much. I think it's worth investigation to make sure something is not wrong. I'd contact the FW manufacturer and send them the video to see what they think. Another option would be to share the video with your dealership's service manager and get their ideas on whether this is normal or not.For that make and model of FW/chassis, it may or may not be normal, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. This is one of the times I'd rather listen to the pros, than rely on an internet forum for answers.X2

Hard to tell via video how much movement is from trailer suspension and how much is pinbox flex.With piece of tape place a reference mark on front of cap above pin box.Take measurement from fixed spot on pinbox to reference mark:1. when hooked up and all weight on hitch2. when unhooked and all weight on front landing gear legs.3. watch for movement when making transition between the two.Shouldn't be more than 3/8" difference between the two readings If there is then you should remove overhang panel and visually check pinbox structure, sidewalls for cracks, tears, bad welds.Repeat hooking/unhooking while inspecting.

I measured the flex with weight loaded on the king pin. I took a 4X4 and jack and it measured out at 3/4". All the movement was coming from up inside the front cap. Not sure if that's to be expected on my unit. Will be passing that along to the dealership where I bought it this month.

Is this normal | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Sep 29, 2015
What kind of pin box do you have? If it is like an Airborne with the air bag it could be normal. Lower portion stays rigid but upper going through the air bag support flexes.
5th airborne pin box
I would check to insure the bolts holding the pin box to trailer frame are tight.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Sep 29, 2015
I see some of that with our FW, but not quite that much. I think it's worth investigation to make sure something is not wrong. I'd contact the FW manufacturer and send them the video to see what they think. Another option would be to share the video with your dealership's service manager and get their ideas on whether this is normal or not.

For that make and model of FW/chassis, it may or may not be normal, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. This is one of the times I'd rather listen to the pros, than rely on an internet forum for answers.

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