Troubleshooting Roto-Flex Pin Box Screeching/Scratching Noise

Updated 02/03/2020 | Published 09/27/2015

Question:

I have this pin box and it is noisy as heck. I have a Reese elite hitch in my truck and have greased it according to specs. I use a lube plate on the bottom of the king pin and you can hear constant and significant metal to metal scratching noise. Only thing I can think of is the pivoting of the rota-flex and the rubber compound inside. Still under warranty but cannot find if there are any lube points on the pin box itself and Lippert has failed to answer 2 emails in the last month and calling directed me to a voice mail which by no surprise, did not get an answer. I am contemplating upgrade to the actual Trail Air system you sell in the spring. Just wondering in the interim if I should try anything else. Even considered loosening the bolts that hold the pivot head on and spraying them but did not know the torque values.

asked by: Ross

Expert Reply:

The noise you described would be from the pivot point of the Rota-Flex. I spoke with my contact at Lippert and he said that typically when the noise you described is heard it is because there is a gooseneck adapter on the pin box which isn't recommended.

To lube the pivot point my contact said to take the bolts out of the lower piece, pull the pin out, and then put lube in where the pin rotates.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Don R.

1/30/2020

Help:I just bought this brand new trailer and it has the Rotoflex pin box. Problem is the flexing portion of the pin box is pitched all the way forward and it won’t budge. I contacted my dealer today and have not gotten a response. I’d there a simple solution to this I can do myself?The online ownership manual talks about lubrication but gives no instructions how

Jason S.

2/3/2020

Often a pin box needs the weight of the trailer to move or change that pin box plate. You want it to be too stiff to move by hand because the components need to be really strong and firm to work properly under the weight of your trailer. If when you connect your pin box to your truck's 5th wheel hitch there is no change to the pin box and it is still locked in that forward position, then you have to consider if the alignment of your trailer to your hitch. If the hitch head and pin box are not not level, you could have that type of pitch and you may need to raise your hitch to get the head and pin box level so that your trailer will ride level. If the hitch head is level and the pin box is "stuck" at an odd angle, then contacting your dealer is the route to go. You can have them adjust the pin box plate bolt torque and add lubricant to the system to allow the plate to move as it should.

Don R.

2/3/2020

Thank you. While waiting for a response.I did some more Homework and came to realize the plate is sitting at Neutral based on the angle of the Pin Box. Trailer is lifted a bit and a Toyhauler.I raised my Hitch plate and the angle decreased. Might have to go to Airbags but I a man waiting to see how it sits when the garage is loaded with an RZR or Harley. I have a feeling it will level out