Pinbox Rises Into Front Cap??

[Jester65]

We bought a Dutchmen about three months ago and took our fourth trip in it this weekend. When hooking up, I left the umbilical connector stuck up just above pin box facing back of trailer where I normally store it. After hitching up and raising landing gear, I could not pull it out. The space between top of pin box and bottom of front cap had narrowed by maybe 1/2". Had to put landing gear back down to get it out.

Is this normal? As far as I can tell, the welds I can see are in good shape. Just a little gun-shy after reading horror stories about frame welds breaking on some fivers.
Thanks!!

[Jester65]

Thank you all for your help, especially Dayle1! Tested flex with 6x6 using guidelines from Lippert and flex measures 1/8". Life is good again:)!!!!!

[Jester65]

Thanks for the reply!

[Dayle1]

Yours may be similar to mine. The notched front cap design means the front crossmember across the front of the pin box brackets is also notched and therefore attaches to the frame members further back, very close to the back crossmember. This setup has more flex than older frame designs. The front cap does not attach to the frame, it only attaches to the walls and roof. So, what you experienced is consistent with excessive flex.

The front closet floor is attached directly to the steel frame and will flex with the frame. If you set a target on the closet floor and set a laser level on the bedroom floor as far back as possible (directly above the landing gear is good), then you can measure the amount of flex between hooked and unhooked.

This flex occurs without broken welds. Mine was substantial, didn't want to take chances and had it fixed under warranty.

[Jester65]

So a quick update: The fit is very close to get the umbilical connector pushed through above the pinbox. 1/16" could keep it being pulled back out, so my initial estimation could be extremely off. That said, the pin box frame is touching the front cap up front on at least one side.
Is there a test to see if frame issues are a reality?
Thanks !

[Dave_H_M]

newman fulltimer wrote:
Could just bee loose bolts on the pin box.I would check them firrst

You will probably not be that lucky. However, I found my pin box bolts were doing s little slipping. If that is the case it should be apparent from the paint lines around the bolt washers.

[newman_fulltime]

Could just bee loose bolts on the pin box.I would check them firrst

[Old-Biscuit]

Me Again wrote:
You have a problem. Skin under the overhang needs to be removed for inspection. Chris

X2

Check for broken screws in trim across bottom of front cap and look at area where side walls meet front cap for pulled caulking and/or more broken screws in sidewall trim.

A 1/4" flex from hitched/unhitched position is normal......more movement than that in king pin/pin box is NOT a good sign.

[MrVan]

You have a serious problem. Notify your manufacturer and Have your dealer inspect it at their expense.

[Me_Again]

You have a problem. Skin under the overhang needs to be removed for inspection. Chris