Does anyone have any experience with the Curt pinboxes that use a coil spring to cushion the trailer from the truck? I wonder if they would help protect the trailer from frame flex or upper deck problems. My previous trailer had a Trailair pinbox, I liked it except for how far down the pinbox rode in the bed of my truck. I was always worried that if I turned sharp it would hit the side of the truck bed. The Helux pinboxes don’t appear to stick down as far where they bolt onto the trailer.
I used a Trailair on my previous Grand Design fifth wheel. I never had any issues with it hitting the bed but did have what felt like some close calls in some boondocking sites- of course that all depends on your specific setup. I wanted to get away from the Trailair on my Beacon as Lippert was becoming more vocal about the use of the airbag on that pinbox in conjuction with airbags on a truck. There were several Grand Design owners that were turned away for frame damage with lippert claiming the use together caused the problem.
There is a member of this forum that has experience using the Helux in transports - I think he had some insight that wasnt positive. Hopefully he sees this post.
Hello Lynn,
I have experience towing with the Helix and/or coil spring pin box. My semi-retired job is a RV Transporter moving towable RV’s; bumper pull & 5th wheels from the MFG to the dealerships. My personal 5th wheels is a 2018 320 GK Villano and a 2022 34 RLB Beacon (yes I own the two).
I have thousands of miles of comparing the helix (type) spring boxes, the Curt Rota-Flex, and the Curt Flex with the air bag. I can say without ANY doubt that air-bag type pin box pulled and provided the best pull and ride of any out there.
My truck is a highly equipped 2016 GMC 3500 Dually with the air-lift 7500# air bag option for adjusting my tow loads on my steering and head light angles while towing. I have had forward sidewall failure on both of my Vanleigh units….. I have seen the wall movement in my Beacon as I write this response while I am visiting family down near the Charleston SC area. The Affinity RV Group out of Goshen repaired our 2018 and they performed an outstanding job. Our Insurance did cover the issue as I documented our travel and the rough road conditions on our journey on a trip.
In my previous career, I work directly with engineers with Boeing, Airbus, McDonnel Douglas, etc., and my experience is that the use of the (2) air bag systems together is moot. The trailer pin box has a shock to control the compression and extension rates in the shock valving (design) and so does the town vehicle. Sounds like GD doesn’t support their customer base… just my .02.
Rule of thumb….. Pun intended …… place your fist and extend your thumb straight up….. It should fit between the bed of your truck and the Phylon of your 5th wheel. Remember…. if you go boondocking…. you may need to set the pin box up higher to give yourself more clearance for your truck to articulate the terrain….
James B.
Duluth, MN.
1 Like
Thanks James - appreciate your knowledge and experience.
Thanks James, I appreciate the information. I think I will go back to looking at my air bag options.
Are the pinbox’s on vilanos and beacons a Rhino pin box? That is what I think they are based on measurements but I don’t see anything on them that says they are Rhinos.