Frequently Asked Questions
Omni-Directional 4 air bag 5th wheel vs competitor 2 air bag system
Air Leak
Release Air Lines
Inserting Air Lines
Yoke and Head Installation
Anvil Head
Setting the Initial PSI Air for 5th Wheel Hitch
Setting the Initial PSI Air for Receiver Hitch
Setting the Initial PSI Air for Gooseneck Hitch
Head 25K tilts forward toward the cab
Setting the Air Flow Control Valves on Each Tower
Removing the Hitch
There are a few options.
Get someone to help lift the hitch fully assembled out of the truck.
Pull the Pins that hold the head and remove the head. The head weights about 45 lbs. Then lift the remaining part of the hitch which weights about 160 lbs.
Pull the Pins that hold the head and remove the head. Then take the 4 bolts out that connect the Towers and Yoke, disconnect the air line in the middle and remove the Yoke and Towers.
If you have a winch or a garage some people use a simple pulley and hook the head of the hitch fully assembled and pull the pins from the rails. Then lift it up a little and drive you truck out from under. Some people bought a hoist on the web for less than $100 that lifts motors etc that has a boom with a hydraulic lift.
Lock Hitch when trailer is Attached
Lock Set for 25K
Shock Kit
What do I need for an air pump?
If I lose all my air, will the trailer hit my bed or cause other problems?
No, the hitch will hit the bumper stops and the hitch will function like a “normal lock down hitch”. Please ensure that in this position that the 5th Wheel trailer front is still at least 3-5 inches from the truck sides.THE TRAILER SHOULD NOT BE TOWED WITHOUT AIR PRESSURE IN THE HITCH. THIS WILL ALLOW THE TRAILER TONGUE TO DROP SEVERAL INCHES AND COULD DAMAGE THE TRUCK BED AND THE TRAILER EXTENDING OVER THE TRUCK BED. Should you experience serious damages such as the air line being severed or air spring rubbing and/or rupture, and are in a remote area where air pressure and/or repairs are unavailable, then do the following:
Disconnect the trailer following the normal disconnect procedure and travel to location to get repairs, then Re-inflate the air springs to 100 PSI and follow the coupling Procedure as described.
Disconnect the trailer following the normal disconnect procedure. Remove the four bolts connecting the Yoke bar that holds the head assembly to the sides. Raise the assembly to the highest position and install the four bolts. Then reconnect the trailer and tow to closest location to have the problem resolved. Then reset the Yoke bar to the original height and re-inflate the air springs to 100 PSI and follow the coupling Procedure.
If the distance between the truck sides and the overhang on the trailer is enough distance to prevent contact. You can tow to a close location to correct the problem. Ensure that the distance between is maintained and does not allow contact because this would cause damage to your truck or trailer.
If you travel a lot in remote areas and want to make a emergency spacers you can measure the height between the Tower bar and the tower base based on your hitch set for normal traveling. This would be between the air bags and end of towers. Cut 4 2/4’s the height you measured. If you lose air in the hitch, jack up your trailer while the hitch is connected until you can place the precut 2×4’s between the air bag and center of the tower. Then lower the trailer hacks and height should be set to allow you to travel to the closest repair location to fix the air leak.
How does your hitch give me a smoother ride?
Will the hitch help keep my trailer from dragging on driveways etc.?
Can I install any of the hitches myself?
Yes you can.
Receiver hitch takes just a minute or two to slide into the receiver.
Gooseneck hitch takes two people (weight), but just loosen the two jack bolts, drop out the old hitch, put in our “AirSafe™ Hitch”, tighten the jack bolts and you are on your way.
5th Wheel hitch
If you don’t have rails,
You will need to install a set of rails in your truck. We recommend Reese or Valley Rails. Reese Rails come with a standard bracket and may require drilling in your truck frame. The Valley rails usually don’t require any drilling in your truck frame. Valley rails are ordered with the brackets for your truck. Installation time is around 2-3 hours, sometimes up to 4 hours.
If you have existing rails that are Reese or valley compatible the hitch will mount on those rails.
After the rails are installed or you have existing rails assemble the hitch following the manufactures instructions and then pin the hitch to the rails. This will take about 30 -45 minutes to install.
Why do I need an “AirSafe™” Hitch and the Extra Expense?
The two main reasons are “Comfort” and “Safety”.
Less wear and tear on equipment (both truck and trailer)
Easier on the contents of the trailer, whether that be animals, car, motorcycle, breakables, etc.
Less driver fatigue means an easier days travel and safer driving.
Safety in quick maneuvers (the ones you don’t expect)
Cheap insurance against premature mechanical failures, frame problems, sidewall flexing etc.
Protects your trailer warranty
The smoother the ride the less you are varying you speed thus increasing your fuel mileage
The list goes on and on
Which Hitch capacity do I need?
I already have an “air suspension” under my truck or trailer.
I have a short bed truck; can I still use your 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch?
Yes ! Most newer trailer are designed for short bed trucks. The trailers have a better designed front and extended kingpins to allow greater turning radius. A slider is not needed in most cases.
If you do need a slider option our “Short Bed” Positioner (Slider) is what you need. The nice thing about this combination is once you set the “Positioner” to the right location for your truck you do not need to move it again. The “AirSafe™ System” allows the hitch to work properly without having to slide. As I am sure you have heard, many of the “Sliders” on the market today are subject to failure if not used exactly as directed. Our “Positioner” has 8” of movement in 1” increments and is built “Semi Truck” tough. You will never have a problem with it.
I currently have a fifth wheel and a gooseneck trailer, do I need two hitches?
I have a four-horse trailer, but I do not always have four horses in it, What Pressure do I need to use?
Do your hitches help control sway?
How does your “AirSafe™ System” compare to other “air hitches” on the market?
What is the distance from the center of the pin and the front most edge of the hitch?
5th Wheel 32K = 14”
5th Wheel Omni-Directional = 12 ¾”
Sales Tax
Do I need to release the air in the hitch before I disconnect?
Does your hitch help with the back and forth motion I feel on my vehicle and trailer?
There is another element that causes energies to collide with rigid connections. Any upward or downward motion actually shortens the overall length of the two vehicles This is where the shock factor becomes dangerous. Let’s explain by thinking about a door hinge lying flat on a table. The metal hinge represents the full distance from the front of the tow vehicle to the back of the trailer. If the tow vehicle drives over a bump it forces the rear of the vehicle upward bringing the vehicles closer together. Since metal does not stretch, the two parts of the hinge are at their longest when flat. Once you lift up on the hinge the two ends start coming towards each other and the distance from end to end id shortened. When we then go back downward the two start to lengthen until they are at their longest point when in the level position.
The same is true with a truck pulling a trailer. When the tongue is parallel with the ground the two are at their greatest length. If the truck hits a bump and drives the rear upward the two actually become shorter. If the tow vehicle weighs less than the trailer than the tow vehicle will actually pull backwards. This forward and back motion is what destroys transmissions and causes severe metal and personal fatigue. Now break that rigid connection by using our AIRSAFE™ receiver ,the results, over 90% reductions in shock transfer and a safer smoother ride.
Ever wonder why you get so fatigued when you are pulling a trailer?
Its simple, the shock from the trailer is being transferred to the vehicle and these forces collide. In the video we compare two rear view mirrors, one using a traditional rigid connection showing and the other using the patented AIRSAFE™ receiver. The rigid connection shows how shock waves are thrown in all directions inside the tow vehicle while the AIRSAFE™ vehicle shows a smooth , safe ride. We then run them it in slow motion so you can clearly see shock forces thrown in all directions with the traditional rigid connection causing loss of steering control, white knuckles and sore lower backs.
With the traditional rigid connection the tow vehicle hits potholes, dips or road heaves it throws the vehicle of its center course, in an instant you are over the bump or dip attempting to get back on course, then the trailer hits the same obstacle and transfers its forces back to you , the end results, shock energy flying In all directions.
With AIRSAFE™ hitches we reduce as much as 90% of this shock through its patented air hitch design insuring you a safe and comfortable ride. You can see and feel the difference.
Why buy a 20K or 25K when I only have 10-15K GTW?
I am new to the towing field and have never had a 5th Wheel trailer, what is the best advice you can give me?
Answer: The following are some key points for best advice:
Safety – Choice a hitch that will give you the maximum safety
Control – Choice a hitch that will give you the control needed for today’s road conditions
If you have a short bed truck, ensure the trailer has a kingpin extension or you will need a slider eliminator for your truck.
Make sure the kingpin height matches you truck height.
Remember the truck dealer and the trailer dealer don’t talk, they both say their product will handle the other.
Weight of the trailer; ensure that you add all of the weight in the trailer as you will using it and not just what the manufacturer stated. (See article “Can Your Vehicle Carry the Load?” article in this newsletter.) You should review the trailer weight in the same manner as reviewed with the towing vehicle.
The more slide outs your trailer has the more the trailer may be unbalanced
Choose a hitch that in the future if you decide to trade your trailer for a larger you can use the same hitch without having to get a larger hitch.
Ensure that the hitch has positive locking head to ensure your trailer does not drop onto your truck bed
Choice a hitch that will give you a smooth ride and eliminate the bumpy road conditions as much as possible