Community Forums

Greenthumb · 05-15-2007, 07:47 PM

Dryheat,

I noticed that you have a 5th Airborne pin box. I asked our Excel dealer recently about it since I have a shortbed TV. They said that Excel initially OK'd the use of it, but have now rescinded that endorsement. In fact, the use of it may expressly void the warranty. Evidently, they are concerned about the forces applied to the coach when hooking up at an angle instead of straight back.

Have you gotten an OK from Excel to install the 5th Airborne?

A comment from ExcelRVGuy would also be very much appreciated here.

Greenthumb · 05-15-2007, 07:47 PM

Dryheat,

I noticed that you have a 5th Airborne pin box. I asked our Excel dealer recently about it since I have a shortbed TV. They said that Excel initially OK'd the use of it, but have now rescinded that endorsement. In fact, the use of it may expressly void the warranty. Evidently, they are concerned about the forces applied to the coach when hooking up at an angle instead of straight back.

Have you gotten an OK from Excel to install the 5th Airborne?

A comment from ExcelRVGuy would also be very much appreciated here.

HB Phil · 05-15-2007, 07:54 PM

This is news to me. My Excel dealer installed a 5th Airborne Sidewinder combo upon my taking delivery on 4/5/07.

I hope there are no serious safety concerns.

Dryheat · 05-16-2007, 03:52 AM

Our Excel salesman insited we get one installed prior to us leaving the lot. In fact he is going to install it. Keep ya posted.

D and J · 05-16-2007, 04:38 AM

Dryheat, you have a superglide AND you are getting the sidewinder pin box?? I didn't think you could double articulate like that.

Or are you getting the regular 5th pin box?

Maybe Excel isn't liking 5th Airborne because Excel is selling Demco??

(I have, and love the Demco!)

Dryheat · 05-16-2007, 09:10 AM

yes, it the rigid 5th airbotne and not the 5th airborne sidewinder.

Dryheat · 05-16-2007, 09:54 AM

To All,

Just spoke to our dealer, and he assured us that the 5th airborne is an authorized hitch. He stated that a goose neck hitch is not authorized by excel. The fact that an authorized excel dealer installed or installs the hitch is covered by excel. Thanks for the heads up. Anxiously awaiting!!

ChiefJohn · 05-16-2007, 10:22 AM

That sounds more reasonable "Dryheat" -- I couldn't think of a reason for PI to ban a certain manufacturer's 5th wheel hitches. The gooseneck issue was in the last "Excel Extra Newsletter".

ExcelRVGuy · 05-16-2007, 12:11 PM

since the 5th Airborne has a built in shock system and is "rigid", we have no issue with it. However, the "Sidewinder" pinbox (with the pivoting mechanism) extends too far forward and the leverage is too great for Peterson Industries to feel comfortable endorsing.

HB Phil · 05-16-2007, 12:25 PM

Hi Bryan,

Now that I have had a 5th Airborned/Sidewinder installed by RV Sales NM, what are my options to maintain my warranty?

ChiefJohn · 05-16-2007, 02:15 PM

ExcelRVGuy,
This is the type of "news items" that your folks could post in the 'Peterson Industries News Corner'. Our forum is visited by hundreds of folks everyday and offers a way of getting the PI news out to owners. The gooseneck hitch is another example.

How do the dealers get the news? Are they sent a group email with updates? If so, include my private email and I'll extract the information and post on the forum. Just a suggestion.
John