We just returned from a two week 1,600 mile trip after making two improvements to our 5. The TriGlide king pin was worth the money. Smoothed out the ride greatly and all but eliminated a severe chucking problem. Can't say enough about it.
The other improvement was replacing the three step entry with the new 4step model from Lippert. Reduced the step rise from 9 to 7". Amazing how much easier it is to come and go especially if you're carrying something like a bag of groceries.
Trip was great and these items contributed to it.
Dave & Robin
Boxers; Big Jake (2002-2011)& Lady Katydid
Grey Cat: Big Papa (aka) Stinkley
2012 Dodge 3500 Club Cab Long Horn edition
Max Tow, 4:10 rear end,
2007 DRV Select Suites 36TKB, Trail Aire Tri Glide
Boxer Lovers wrote: The other improvement was replacing the three step entry with the new 4step model from Lippert. Reduced the step rise from 9 to 7". Amazing how much easier it is to come and go especially if you're carrying something like a bag of groceries.
Do you have a link to these steps? Are you talking about the Quadra Steps?
2013 Sabre 36QBOK
Truck: 2012 Ram 3500 Crew Cab DRW w/ 4.10 gears and 8' bed
FW Hitch: B&W Turnover Ball + Companion hitch
Nights Camped: (2013: 10, 2012: 52, 2011: 28) Blog about learning to RV, mishaps and adventures
Don't know what TrailAir/Lippert is telling folks on the greasing interval for the 9 grease fittings, but I was told to grease it every thousand miles to keep it working properly.
2008 Chevy 3500HD LTZ 4X4 CC / Banks IQ with Speedbrake & Economind tuner /2013 38RESB3...I know, the TV color doesn't match the MS!
The grease zerks are three on each side and if you look inside the unit from the back, you'll see three rods (axles), and each of those has a zerk...9 total.
You can see the "nubs" along the lower edge, in the picture below, of the three external zerks along that side. They (the zerks) are initially painted black like the rest of the hitch and might be easily overlooked if you aren't aware that they are a greasing point...
Owner's manual states every 1,000 miles. The six outside zerks are easy to get to, the three inside zerks get increasing harder as you move from closest to you to furthest from you. Fortunately, I have small hands and a Lincoln power grease gun that makes it fairly easy to "grease up". Was a bit of a "bother" the first few times I greased them, but, now I don't even think about it; takes all of about 3 minutes to hit them with a single pump of the gun.
Despite the "maintenance", still the best money I've spent on an "upgrade" to the tow setup.
My 2 cents, your mileage may vary...
Don
Bronwyn
3 Cats - Coco, J-Lo and Ragamuffin
2011 Keystone Cougar 318SAB
2011 Ram 2500 Longhorn CTD HO
Built in brake controller and exhaust brake
Tri Glide TrailAir Pinbox with a B&W Companion Hitch
Regarding the steps, all I know is Lippert is the only manufacturer for them that I'm aware of. Don't know what they are called, but check the Lippert website. I understand there are some electric 4 step models, but they are more than twice as expensive.
The 4 step beats sliced bread for a great invention, especially if you're fat and have bad knees. I know none of you fall into that category, but probably know someone else who might benefit.
Regarding the Tri Glide lubrication; I found out on this forum that you need to lubricate the nine grease zerks every 1,000 miles. They are easy to reach on the sides, 3 each, but the ones under the rollers are awkward. I use the red high pressure grease for the job.
Lippert told me they didn't have an owner's manual for the Tri Glide king pin. Such a fine product should not receive such a lack of documentation.
Even with the lubrication requirement, I wouldn't take anything for my Tri Glide. One long trip on I-40 will sell anyone on the product.
If you read down you will see this: "Three steel shafts are on either side of the lower jaw and swing inside a pivot. There are six zerks
to grease every 1,000 to 1,500 miles. There are no rubber parts in the lower gliding jaw." I guess they forgot about the 3 inner zerks or they removed them?
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