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09-12-2017, 01:06 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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TrailAir hitch coupler, to buy or not to buy?
So when ordering my fifth, I have the option to order with a Trailair hitch coupler.
I don't know much about it, so I'm wondering if it's that big of a deal, and 2) possibly there is a better hitch coupler on the market that I could add instead of the trailair hitch coupler.
Thoughts?
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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09-12-2017, 01:47 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bellville, Texas
Posts: 203
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Howdy Plasma800, I have the TrailAir Ride Pin-box on my 2012 Cardinal and love it. I have pulled other 5th wheels without it and it makes a world of difference. No jerking or harsh pounding going on back there, just smooth towing. However, they also make the TrailAir RotoFlex, and the TrailAir FlexAir. Not sure which one they are offering, but you can see the differences on https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=trailair . Basically, The TrailAir FlexAir is the standard TrailAir with the RotoFlex added, which they then call the TrailAir FlexAir.
With that said, there are other brands & methods of getting the "air ride" involved in your 5th wheel hitch, but I do not have any experience with those.
Hopefully, other folks will comment on them for you.
Take Care!
__________________
2012 Cardinal 3675RT
2014 Ford F350 CC KR SRW FX4 6.7L 3.55 E-Locker
Austin County, "Colonial Capital of Texas"
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09-12-2017, 02:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMelder
Howdy Plasma800, I have the TrailAir Ride Pin-box on my 2012 Cardinal and love it. I have pulled other 5th wheels without it and it makes a world of difference. No jerking or harsh pounding going on back there, just smooth towing. However, they also make the TrailAir RotoFlex, and the TrailAir FlexAir. Not sure which one they are offering, but you can see the differences on https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=trailair . Basically, The TrailAir FlexAir is the standard TrailAir with the RotoFlex added, which they then call the TrailAir FlexAir.
With that said, there are other brands & methods of getting the "air ride" involved in your 5th wheel hitch, but I do not have any experience with those.
Hopefully, other folks will comment on them for you.
Take Care!
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__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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09-12-2017, 02:16 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Illinois
Posts: 286
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See my post regarding your hitch question...
The Goosebox utilizes 2 shocks and an air bag to cushion the ride. Using it replaces the pinbox. Drop this coupler right down onto a GN ball without a hitch inbetween. If you have the B&W Turnover GN hitch in a SB truck you could use their offset ball adapter to move the ball 4" rearward for better cab clearance
I can't speak highly enough of the GooseBox.
__________________
Doug & Cindy
2014 Cedar Creek 36ckts, Disc Brakes, EMS, Trav'lr, 20k GooseBox
2018 Ram 2500 CCSB CTD 4x4 RASS
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09-12-2017, 02:41 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJNCJ
See my post regarding your hitch question...
The Goosebox utilizes 2 shocks and an air bag to cushion the ride. Using it replaces the pinbox. Drop this coupler right down onto a GN ball without a hitch inbetween. If you have the B&W Turnover GN hitch in a SB truck you could use their offset ball adapter to move the ball 4" rearward for better cab clearance
I can't speak highly enough of the GooseBox.
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Like so?
This seems like it would be a real undertaking to line up when hitching.
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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09-12-2017, 03:03 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Illinois
Posts: 286
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It can be without guidance from my traveling partner....DW. A little practice and you're there pretty quickly. I love the complete use of the bed when we unhitch! Pop out the GN ball and chain loops and the bed is empty... no bulky hitch in the way!
It provides a very smooth tow compared to the Andersen coupled to a STD pinbox (my old setup)!
Is your 3500 a short bed or the full 8'?
__________________
Doug & Cindy
2014 Cedar Creek 36ckts, Disc Brakes, EMS, Trav'lr, 20k GooseBox
2018 Ram 2500 CCSB CTD 4x4 RASS
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09-12-2017, 04:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJNCJ
It can be without guidance from my traveling partner....DW. A little practice and you're there pretty quickly. I love the complete use of the bed when we unhitch! Pop out the GN ball and chain loops and the bed is empty... no bulky hitch in the way!
It provides a very smooth tow compared to the Andersen coupled to a STD pinbox (my old setup)!
Is your 3500 a short bed or the full 8'?
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So the Anderson does like this... Essentially the same thing, but it moves the ball up within eye view - well I think anyway. Weighs 50 lbs, and easily detaches from the turnoverball. There's a mating piece that attaches to your pin box that sets down much the way that reese does.
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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09-13-2017, 06:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJNCJ
It can be without guidance from my traveling partner....DW. A little practice and you're there pretty quickly. I love the complete use of the bed when we unhitch! Pop out the GN ball and chain loops and the bed is empty... no bulky hitch in the way!
It provides a very smooth tow compared to the Andersen coupled to a STD pinbox (my old setup)!
Is your 3500 a short bed or the full 8'?
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full 8'
i just caught that you said you've tried an andersen
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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09-13-2017, 11:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,479
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I have an Andersen coupled with a TrailAir and Mor Ride IS. It's a pretty decent ride, although if you hit multiple large dips/frost heaves, the trailer will come down a little hard on the second/third bump. Over normal bumps in the road, it's pretty smooth.
The only thing I have to compare it to is towing a larger trailer with Andersen and standard pinbox, Dexter suspension. It was a little rougher, but not terrible either. It didn't have the second/third heave slam that the TrailAir will produce, but was harder overall.
I run with a little more pressure in the TrailAir airbag, and that takes most of the above issues out. I'd take the TrailAir over standard, but have no idea how it compares to the other cushioned options out there, or how it will work with a traditional hitch.
__________________
2001 Volvo VNL660
2018 DRV Fullhouse JX450
2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
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09-14-2017, 06:04 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Illinois
Posts: 286
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plasma800
full 8'
i just caught that you said you've tried an andersen
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Yes I have used the Andersen and it is a great hitch! It is easy to move in and out but takes up space. At home I simply hang it on the garage wall when not in use. When traveling if I desire an empty truck bed (and I do at times) I need to make room for it in the trailer... It's not quite as convient as the GooseBox and I didn't have a cushioned Pinbox.
"Two birds with one stone"
__________________
Doug & Cindy
2014 Cedar Creek 36ckts, Disc Brakes, EMS, Trav'lr, 20k GooseBox
2018 Ram 2500 CCSB CTD 4x4 RASS
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09-14-2017, 09:07 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJNCJ
Yes I have used the Andersen and it is a great hitch! It is easy to move in and out but takes up space. At home I simply hang it on the garage wall when not in use. When traveling if I desire an empty truck bed (and I do at times) I need to make room for it in the trailer... It's not quite as convient as the GooseBox and I didn't have a cushioned Pinbox.
"Two birds with one stone"
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Yeah, I see
__________________
RVM#78 - -USAF- F-15 Eagle Radar Vet
'5 Fleetwood Revolution- '15 Airstream Intl Sig. 27FB
Jay, Andrea, Stella '14 Ram 3500 Aisin '18 ORV F30RLS
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09-19-2017, 07:36 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 293
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We just got our new Flex Air pin box and it rode pretty good on the way home from the dealer. Heading for Dallas in a couple of days to test it out.
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09-20-2017, 08:09 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bellville, Texas
Posts: 203
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJNCJ
It can be without guidance from my traveling partner....DW. A little practice and you're there pretty quickly. I love the complete use of the bed when we unhitch! Pop out the GN ball and chain loops and the bed is empty... no bulky hitch in the way!
It provides a very smooth tow compared to the Andersen coupled to a STD pinbox (my old setup)!
Is your 3500 a short bed or the full 8'?
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DJNCJ, Are the chain loops necessary? I didn't see any chains on the Goosebox in the picture. I pull two other gooseneck trailers (stock trailer & 24ft Dovetail) and neither has chains on them, never have had them.
__________________
2012 Cardinal 3675RT
2014 Ford F350 CC KR SRW FX4 6.7L 3.55 E-Locker
Austin County, "Colonial Capital of Texas"
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09-21-2017, 06:25 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Illinois
Posts: 286
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMelder
DJNCJ, Are the chain loops necessary? I didn't see any chains on the Goosebox in the picture. I pull two other gooseneck trailers (stock trailer & 24ft Dovetail) and neither has chains on them, never have had them.
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My guess is they aren't necessary in some states and required in others?? Either way I prefer the added layer of safety. My truck has the factory puck system and I found a GN ball/chain loop kit for it. I really like the simplicity of the whole setup!
__________________
Doug & Cindy
2014 Cedar Creek 36ckts, Disc Brakes, EMS, Trav'lr, 20k GooseBox
2018 Ram 2500 CCSB CTD 4x4 RASS
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