What is the Difference Between the Trailair Tri-Glide and Trailair Flex Air Pin Box

Question:

We recently purchased a new 5th wheel and wanted the same Trail Airinch Tri-Glide pin box just like we had on our previous 5th wheel. Our dealership told us that the Tri-Glideinch series had been discontinued do to the 3 glide pins on the lower jaw breaking and being problematic? We have tried several other brand pin boxes which were suppose to reduce the chuckinginch back and forth action prone on 5th wheels, but are tired of wasting money on all the hype just to make an accessory sale. We have yet to find any pin box which worked as smoothly as the Tri-Glide did. Weve also looked at the Flex-Air but the lower jaw doesnt float back and forth therefore giving us some doubt about making that purchase? Can you please verify if this is true or not about the Tri-Glideinch failures and/or availability? I also read somewhere, there was also some sort of an upgrade for the Tri-Glide? Perhaps that has fixed the problem ?? Thank you for your assistance and knowledge.

asked by: Dean

Expert Reply:

The Trailair Tri-Glide was indeed replaced by the Trailair Flex Air. The reason for this was due to a lack of reliability with the roller pin system that allowed the kingpin to rock back and forth with the motion of the trailer therefore limiting chucking and jarring. The roller pins would become seized over time without continual lubrication which proved to be a hassle for most. Therefore, they switched to a similar design that allowed for the kingpin to pivot with a rubber damper as opposed to rocking with a roller pin system.

The rubber damper on the Flex Air will be a bit more stiff than the roller pins on the Tri-Glide but the reliability aspect increases tenfold which is why the switch was made. The upgrade you are referring to for the Tri-Glide was simply a replacement lower kingpin plate to match that of the Flex Air.

If you want to switch over to a Trailair Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box then I would need to know the model number of the pin box you have now. If it is a 1621 which is the most common then part # LC328492 or part # LC369535 would be just what you need.

expert reply by: Conner L