Should an Air Ride/Air Bag Pin Box Be Used when Towing 5th Wheel with Peterbilt Rig

Question:

I purchased a 2007 Peterbilt 387 big rig to haul my 42foot 5th wheel RV. I have a F-350, F-250 diesels and put a hurting on them. I went to an auction last week and purchased a F-750 w/ the powerstroke 6.0 engine diesel and if you dont have a 7.3 or the newer 7.3 diesels you will spent your vacation in the repair shop. Also it rides real hardF-750 w/ no power. Learning by my mistakes I bougth the KING OF THE ROAD w/ the CAT C-15 w/ auto trans. Now I have to figure how to title it to an RV. Enough of the B.S. I call by your co. when I was on the road w/ my motor coach heading to Sturgis a couple yrs back. Yall were very helpful getting my new cargo trailer wired correctly, the factory wired my electric brakes to my left blinker, and by the time I arrived @ your business the tires were going do to the blinkers Appling the brakes. everybody telling me to buy a trailer saver / the air bags on the 5th wheel hitch. Since I have a real HEAVEY DUDY HICH ON THE PETERBUILT, SHOULD I BUY A NEW HITCH W/ AIRBAGS ON MY rv? tHANKS FOR YOUR TIME

asked by: Marvin

Expert Reply:

Typically, 5th wheel pin boxes with airbags are used when someone wants to improve the ride quality of the tow vehicle while pulling the trailer. You can certainly use a pin box with an air bag to help reduce the stress on your trailer while towing with your rig, but the stress reduction will likely be minimal. An air ride pin box will not provide a noticeable difference in ride quality with your rig.

If you decide to replace your existing pin box with an air ride pin box, you will want to ensure the new pin box is designed as a replacement for your pin box's manufacturer and model number. This information should be on a plate or sticker located on the pin box. If you'd like to let me know the manufacturer and model number of your pin box, I will be happy to see if we have a replacement pin box for you that has an air bag.

If you have questions about wiring your new tow vehicle, feel free to let me know what wiring is already on the vehicle and we can help determine what is needed to connect the wiring to your RV.

expert reply by: Victoria B