Fifth Airborne Air Valve Problem

[DannyS]

Hello everybody. I'm new here, but a long time RVer. I just had the FifthAirborne kingpin installed on my fiver, and for the life of me, I can't figure out how to access the air inflator valve if the furthest to the front positions are used to mount the air bag. I have tried just about everything including grinding down air valves to fit, and nothing is small enough to get under it. I would appreciate anybody responding who has figured this out. Also, for those who are using this hitch, do you find that heavier rigs, (mine is 13,000 wet)need the bag furter front, or rear. I've been experimenting with mine, and it seems that furthest to front is best, but still can't access the air valve that way. Sorry for the long post.

[DannyS]

Hello everybody. I'm new here, but a long time RVer. I just had the FifthAirborne kingpin installed on my fiver, and for the life of me, I can't figure out how to access the air inflator valve if the furthest to the front positions are used to mount the air bag. I have tried just about everything including grinding down air valves to fit, and nothing is small enough to get under it. I would appreciate anybody responding who has figured this out. Also, for those who are using this hitch, do you find that heavier rigs, (mine is 13,000 wet)need the bag furter front, or rear. I've been experimenting with mine, and it seems that furthest to front is best, but still can't access the air valve that way. Sorry for the long post.

[Ray,IN]

Welcome to irv2.com Danny! Sorry it has taken so long for anyone to respond, I think most folks are working hard this spring, plus getting ready for the July 15 National Rally in Branson, MO.
I think your best option is to Email or phone the company with your concerns. This sounds like an engineering issue. Hope you have success with the company! Please let us know the results.

[Mike Boutet]

I've just installed the same hitch a week ago, but have yet to tow with it. As a matter of fact, i haven't even hooked the truck to it yet. It came from the factory in the second position from the rear. I was going to try it there first.My trailer is about 12000lb, so i hope others will chime in.

[DannyS]

I just got off the phone with Sonny @ Fifth Airborne. He is their technical guru. He is aware of the air valve issue. He feels that the smaller airbag they have in their aresenal is going to provide me with a better ride, and he is sending me one to retrofit the unit. He says that the higher psi requirement will make it unneccesary to mount it further forward. Also, the smaller airbag will have an extension hose attatched to the air valve and will make it unneccessary to crawl into the back of the truck to fill it up. He also pointed out that the airbag should be inflated during hitching and unhitching, and I thought just the opposite. After the new airbag arrives, I'll take the fiver out for a spin, and let you know how it goes.

[DannyS]

Ok, I figured out how to solve the problem. I removed the 1/4 in thread tank valve, and installed a 1/4 in brass elbow in it's place. I then reinstalled the tank valve in the elbow facing forward. I had to grind the side of the elbow just a touch because the channel it sits in was a little too narrow for the mounting holes on the bag to line up in the pre-drilled openings, but that worked fine too. I used gas application teflon tape figuring that gas was more like air than water. I tested the fittings in water and it is airtight. I tried to post a pic, but couldn't figure it out. If you want to see the pics, pm me your email and I'll send them to you.