Choosing Between Cushioned Suspension and a Cushioned Pin Box To Reduce Chucking On a Trailer

Question:

Have a 42 foot 5th wheel and looking to improve ride quality, the truck has air bags which help, but still fight heavy chucking on some of our roads, would it be better to start with the trailer suppension or would a air pin box be the better starting point.

asked by: Dennis D

Expert Reply:

The greatest improvement that can be had on a trailer to reduce chucking and jarring is without a doubt a cushioned pin box. The addition of cushioned equalizers will also help to reduce chucking and jarring but not to the extent of a cushioned pin box as this is after all the main connection point between the truck and trailer. That said, it would also not be a bad ideal to add both but assuming your trailer suspension is in working order but you will see the most improvement from a cushioned pin box.

The best cushioned pin box we offer is the Trailair Flex Air 5th Wheel Pin Box like part # LC328492. This pin box has an integrated airbag, shock absorber, and pivoting skid plate which will work to virtually eliminate any chucking issues. In order to make sure you get the correct replacement I would need to know what model pin box you have now (see sticker on wing set). The most common is a Lippert 1621 for which the above part # LC328492 is a direct replacement for.

expert reply by: Conner L