I thought I was going to be able to level our new 5er with the hitch alone, but sadly there wasn't enough adjustment left (heightwise) to level the trailer.
So, I'm going to have to lower my pinbox as well. It's a stock pinbox, so 4 bolts and nothing fancy, really, but it looks like it was moved once (probably when new) and hasn't been adjusted since.
My thoughts on the job:
1/ Loosen all four bolts.
2/ Hitch to the trailer but leave it chocked with landing gear down.
3/ Remove all 4 pinbox bolts.
4/ If pinbox comes loose, great, proceed to step 6.
5/ If pinbox tight/difficult to break loose, put truck in gear and jiggle it untill it comes off.
6/ Adjust height of trailer with landing gear, align and reinstall pinbox mounting bolts.
7/ Tighten, torque everything.
8/ Enjoy a cold beer.
Does this sound reasonable, or is their an easier/alternative method that I'd be better off using?
Your pinbox is not that heavy that you absolutely require the truck and I wouldn't try jiggling it with the truck either. Loosen all four bolts but don't remove them, by now you will have determined the box is either easy to move or is going to need gentle persuasion. If the box moves easily, remove all bolts but one forwrd one and get your shoulder under it and remove the last bolt, lower it down or raise it to where you want it and stuff the bolt into the correct hole then replace all bolts and torque. If you feel the need to have something under it for safety reasons I would opt for a short step ladder or maybe the tailgate of your truck with a board to protect the tailgate.
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
'04' International 4400 LoPro 310Hp/950FtLbs 10Spd Harley/RV Toter
'05' Mobile Suites 38RL3
'01' Harley Ultra in the bike barn.
When removing the bolts, replace them with screwdrivers or rods and it's easier to jockey the pinbox around by taking a couple out at a time while leaving the other two in. I've done it several times and I use a 55 gallon drum to sit under the pinbox for support and leverage.
I did absolutely what you have listed in your original post last year. and it worked flawlessly. i have a 2002/2003? springdale, and the pinbox just required a light tap or two with a mallet. it was very easy, just be positive you are lined up, there are more holes on the frame of the trailer, and it is easy to have the front or rear of the pinbox lower, or higher, happened to me, and i am mechanically savy, just be careful for that, other then that it is very easy, maybe 45 min -1 hour long thats it.
Mike
2006 Chevy K1500 4x4 Greystone, Vortec Max 6.0L 345HP 380LB 4.10 Gears
Torsion Bars tightened, Firestone Ride Rites. Runs Wonderfully.
First year of the VortecMax power pack, and the fastest of them all!!!
I removed my pin box and put in a Mor Ryde, all by my lonesome.
To remove pin box I loosened all 4 bolts and then removed the front two. The pin box didn't move, but I was able to loosen it by pushing it down. I then was able to remove the last two bolts and the box came off easy.
I then put my atv jack in the bed of my truck. Put the Mor Ryde on the jack, backed up the truck, jacked the pin box up, bolted box and done.
With a lifted truck, I needed the box adjusted to the next hole down to create enough space in between the truck bed and trailer. It did the job, but looking at it I always wonder if bringing it down creates more leverage on the box and frame to break something? In the original setting, the box has more support around it from the frame. I guess the factory put the extra adjustment holes there for a reason, though! Just wondering if the added leverage could damage something on the frame or box.
Offline
