Forum Discussion

allen8106's avatar
allen8106
Explorer
Apr 28, 2020

Hitch and Pin Box Replacement

OK guys need your opinions, looking to replace my hitch and 5th wheel pin box. Hitch is a 10 year old Reese 15k Pro Series with a flat sliding bar to capture the king pin with about 35k miles of towing. The bar has developed a 1/4 moon shaped groove about 1/4" deep. The king pin on the camper has also developed about an 1/8"-3/16" deep grove in it and is 10 years old also. Jayco tells me the king pin isn't replaceable and the entire pin box has to be replaced. Reese tells me the slide bar on the hitch isn't replaceable and the entire hitch head has to be replaced.

I've always been told a weld is stronger than the original material so have considered just having a friend weld both to fill the grooves and move on but worry about long term viability of both.

As a result I'm considering just biting the bullet and replacing both with new. My truck is a 2018 GMC 3500 DRW with an 8' bed and the OEM puck system.

I'm considering a B&W Companion from my local RV parts shop for $1,045 + tax. I have no idea what I want or need for the pin box.

Thoughts?
  • allen8106's avatar
    allen8106
    Explorer
    May 02, 2020
    C Schomer wrote:
    I've welded much more critical parts for suspension and steering linkage for some hot rod junkie friends so I know how I would fix your hitch and pin. Craig


    Discussed this with my welder friend. He welds anything and everything for a living. He said this is an easy acceptable weld fix for this application.

    He'll be doing the welding next week.
  • C_Schomer's avatar
    C_Schomer
    Explorer
    May 01, 2020
    I've welded much more critical parts for suspension and steering linkage for some hot rod junkie friends so I know how I would fix your hitch and pin. Craig
  • allen8106's avatar
    allen8106
    Explorer
    May 01, 2020
    ACZL wrote:


    Where did you see this? I just looked at Reese's website and they are still showing it as being avail/made. I have the 5th AB and love it. Oh, have a B&W Patriot as well and love it too.


    I called Reese and was inquiring about the hitch and they told me it was no longer being produced in an effort to reduce the number of sku's. None in stock and only a couple in Canada.
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2020
    allen8106 wrote:
    BB_TX wrote:
    Since you are going to replace the pin box, replace it with an air ride pin box, either 5th Airborne or Trailair.
    Lots of very good hitches. I prefer the type with the wrap around jaw that encircles the pin. I have a Reese Elite that works great. Pullrite also has one.


    Found out today that the 5th Airborne no longer available.


    Where did you see this? I just looked at Reese's website and they are still showing it as being avail/made. I have the 5th AB and love it. Oh, have a B&W Patriot as well and love it too.
  • allen8106's avatar
    allen8106
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2020
    BB_TX wrote:
    Since you are going to replace the pin box, replace it with an air ride pin box, either 5th Airborne or Trailair.
    Lots of very good hitches. I prefer the type with the wrap around jaw that encircles the pin. I have a Reese Elite that works great. Pullrite also has one.


    Found out today that the 5th Airborne no longer available.
  • allen8106's avatar
    allen8106
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2020
    goducks10 wrote:
    I would go Reese Goosebox since you have the OEM puck system.
    No dealing with a 5th hitch.


    Goosebox won't fit my frame. They are designed for 12" attachments, mine is a 14". My pin box was made by Leland who made them 14" wide rather than 12".
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Apr 29, 2020
    Depends on the wire hardness used with a tig or mig. Also depends on what number stick rods is used. Some are hard and some are soft material.
    Personally I would rather tig it that way your not presenting lots of heat. A experienced welder with all three can tell you which method will achieve the result your looking for. A friend with a welding machine may not have that type of experience.

    There are five or so good RV type 5th wheel hitches to choose from. You won't go wrong with any of them.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Apr 29, 2020
    Regardless of what you buy prevent the same problem by lubricating the pin. I use a graphite spray on mine. Others use grease.
  • cummins2014's avatar
    cummins2014
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2020
    BB_TX wrote:
    Cummins12V98 wrote:
    BB_TX wrote:
    Since you are going to replace the pin box, replace it with an air ride pin box, either 5th Airborne or Trailair.
    Lots of very good hitches. I prefer the type with the wrap around jaw that encircles the pin. I have a Reese Elite that works great. Pullrite also has one.


    I assume you have not owned a B&W with 1" thick machined jaws that fully close around the kingpin???

    Look at the geometry of the 5th airborne and the TrailAir. TA is a more up and down motion, 5th is an angular motion.

    And I assume you have not owned a Reese Elite with a 1” thick jaw that wraps around and encircles the pin. With the handle latched and pinned there is no chance of coming unhitched.

    Can’t speak for the Trailair but I can say that I can watch my 5th Airborne in my rear view mirror and see the pin box moving up and down due to the rocking motion of the pin box as it softens the tide. But I assume you have never owned of of those either.


    I can't say one way or the other on the pin boxes mentioned, other then the OP's fifth wheel doesn't appear to need either pin box its not that heavy of a fifth wheel . MorRyde would do nicely.

    As far as the Reese ,have made the same argument with the B&W fan club for a few years now. I also tow with the Reese, same head as the Elite, 1" wrap around jaw, no doubt when its closed ,and no doubt when pinned thats its staying closed .
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Apr 29, 2020
    laknox wrote:
    My recommendation is the B&W; great hitch and great company. With the wrap-around jaws, you wouldn't need to replace the pin box...unless you wanted to go with one that's shock absorbing.

    Lyle


    TRUE!!!

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