MustangDon
Mustang, OK
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Hello All,
I have a 33 ft. 01 Prowler with a Lippert kingpin box. It has six 1" bolts per side for the kingpin box. I would like to move the box forward one hole. This is 4" and it will then only have 4 bolts per side. I have a 4 door 07 GMC 6.6' bed and need the additional 4" for clearnace. My turnover ball hitch is adjust all the way aft and all the way down. My kingpin to cab is 44" and the Prowler has 48" from kingpin to outer edge. Has anyone try this? The B&W hitch only has four 3/4" bolts per side on the vetical hitch mounts. If 4 bolts per side are OK, should I go to higher strenght bolts.
Thanks,
Don
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fpresto
Maryland
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Don, A couple of points: 1. The number of bolts that B&W uses to mount their hitch to the frame has no bearing on the number of bolts that the kingpin box uses. B&W also has two massive steel plates that also hold the hitch in. I have installed two so I am very familiar with the B&W.
2. Lippert which builds to the manufacturers specs is not known for over engineering their products. I suspect that if they could have used fewer bolts they would have.
Understand that any information including mine that you get here is just someone's opinion and may or may not apply to your situation and may or may not be correct. Don't bet your property and well being on it. Contact Lippert and ask them if going to 4 bolts is safe and if they need to be increased in size or grade.
USN Retired
2007 Cedar Creek 30 RLSTS
2008 F350, DRW, V-10, B&W hitch,
Pressure Pro, JT Strongarms
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MustangDon
Mustang, OK
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pfresto,
I was not clear on the four bolts. I was talking about the four pivot arm bolts on each side that hold the Companion 5th wheel hitch reciver to the main assembly in the bed. Sounds like a good idea to contact Lippert, guess it will have to be Monday. Use the hitch today, moved the RV from back yard to front and everything worked. I'll post what I heard from Lippert next week.
Thanks,
Don
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fpresto
Maryland
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Don,
I misunderstood which 4 bolts you were discussing. What you want to do may be perfectly safe. I hope Lippert will give you some good news.
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MustangDon
Mustang, OK
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pfresto,
One would think that four 3/4" bolts per side on the receiver would equal four 1" bolts per side on the kingpin side. Logic would say that is OK, but one never knows for sure the design parameters. I'm getting ready for a trip to Fort Worth and then S. Padre for two weeks. New hitch and new brake controller on a new truck are turning my gray hair white! Well, have as nice weekend!
Thanks,
Don
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fpresto
Maryland
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Don, I agree that logic says it should work but only Lippert knows the type and grade of steel in their pin box and how the stress is transmitted to the frame of the trailer. In my opinion it is probably safe but it is not my truck and trailer that is at risk if I am wrong. I think Lippert will give you some good news.
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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The bolts are not to move the pin forward, but to raise or lower the pin to get your trailer level. Sounds like you have a short bed truck and should have bought a slider hitch.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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Kennedycamper
Algoa, Texas
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I wouldn't do any bolt removeing untill It was Ok'ed by the manufacturer. Like has been posted before. Lippert isn't known for over building/engineering products.
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MustangDon
Mustang, OK
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Well, I got ahold of Lippert today and they said that it was designed for 19,000 lbs and 12 bolts and no less. So I guess that ends that, but I still think it would be OK. If I used 8 bolts then it would be designed for 12,730 lbs (2/3 of 19,000). Which is about what is weights now. The kingpin can be adjusted up/down and still use all 12 bolts, but not forward. I found out B&W makes a 4" extension for there gooseneck, not there 5th wheel Companion hitch. That would be the easiest solution! To late for slider! Guess, I just have to be careful.
Thanks for the comments,
Don
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MustangDon
Mustang, OK
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PS,
I watched a video on AOL last night about kingpins and short bed trailers. It was really good. It maded me realize that the only way to really improve the cab to rv clearance is to move the pivot point, the 5th wheel hitch. Moving the kingpin forward will help, but not much, because the pivot point is still at the same location. Guess, I'll have to make me a 4" latch pin extender for my hitch. All that for that.
Don
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