Mastering The Morryde Orbital Hitch For Fifth Wheel Camper Leveling

The Morryde Orbital Hitch is a great option for those looking to level their fifth-wheel camper. The Morryde Orbital Pin Box is a popular choice for RV owners as it provides a jerk-free and smooth ride. The pin box moves back and forth and side to side, absorbing the energy transfer from the trailer to the truck. This results in a more comfortable driving experience. The Morryde Orbital Pin Box also offers a wide range of trailer weight ratings, making it a versatile option. Additionally, the pin box provides a 90-degree turning radius in either direction, enhancing the overall towing experience. For those with short-bed trucks, the Morryde Orbital Hitch may be a better option compared to a sliding fifth-wheel hitch, as it can provide more turning clearance.

Positioning a fifth wheel hitch

Positioning a fifth-wheel hitch is a process that requires careful measurement and mechanical know-how. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you position a fifth-wheel hitch correctly:

Step 1: Remove the Spare Tire

First, you will need to remove the spare tire from your truck. This will give you more space to work and access the underbelly of your truck bed. Keep in mind that you might also need to remove other components, such as a heat shield, during the installation process.

Step 2: Position the Front Base Rail

Place the base rail closest to the truck cab, ensuring it is centred between the wheel wells. Refer to the specific instructions for your hitch to determine the correct distance from the front of the truck bed, as this can vary between long-bed and short-bed trucks.

Step 3: Mark and Drill the First Pilot Hole

With the base rail in position, use a paint pen to mark the bolt hole locations. Then, use a centre punch to mark the first drill location. Drill a pilot hole down through the marked location.

Step 4: Check the Pilot Hole and Drill Remaining Holes

Temporarily position the under-bed fifth-wheel bracket corresponding to the pilot hole. If the bracket lines up correctly, you can proceed to drill the remaining bolt holes. Mark them with a paint pen, then centre-punch and drill down from above the truck bed.

Step 5: Enlarge Bolt Holes and Install Brackets

Using a step bit, enlarge the pilot holes to accommodate the bolts of the fifth-wheel rails. Apply touch-up paint to protect any exposed metal edges and prevent corrosion. Position and bolt in the under-bed brackets, typically installed from the wheel well opening.

Step 6: Bolt Down the Fifth-Wheel Rail

Reposition the base rail over the bolt hole locations. If your truck has bed rails, spacers may be needed to ensure consistent metal-to-metal contact. Insert the bolts and secure them with nuts underneath the truck bed.

Step 7: Measure the Fifth-Wheel Hitch Height

Park your trailer on a level surface and measure the height from the ground to the underside of the kingpin plate. Then, measure from the ground to the top of the open tailgate of your truck. The difference between these two measurements will give you the required height for your fifth-wheel hitch.

Step 8: Attach the Fifth-Wheel Legs and Position the Rear Rail

Find the correct mounting holes on your fifth-wheel hitch head to match the required height. Secure the legs in place with the included bolts. With the hitch assembled, lift it into place, installing the legs into the base rail. Position the rear base rail using the leg anchors as a guide.

Step 9: Drill and Bolt Down the Rear Base Rail

Mark, centre-punch, and drill pilot holes for the rear base rail, ensuring it is centred in the truck bed. Enlarge the holes and apply touch-up paint. Reposition the rail and insert the bolts, securing them with nuts from underneath the truck bed.

Step 10: Install Remaining Bolts and Torque Hardware

Some installations require supplemental bolts for added security and strength. Mark, centre-punch, drill pilot holes, and enlarge the holes. Insert the necessary bolts and fasten them with nuts. Finally, torque all hardware to ensure the bolts are tight and secure before using the hitch for towing.

Additional Tips:

• The correct placement of the fifth-wheel hitch will vary depending on the vehicle and the type of install kit used. Typically, the hitch is positioned so that the trailer king pin is directly over or slightly forward of the centre line of the rear truck axle.
• Ensure your truck is a full-size, one-ton vehicle capable of towing heavy fifth-wheel trailers. Always review your vehicle's towing capacity and weight ratings before installing a hitch.
• Consider using a sliding fifth-wheel hitch or a pivoting pin box if you need more clearance between the fifth wheel and the back of the cab for sharper turns.

Understanding orbital pin boxes

The Morryde Orbital Pin Box is an option for those seeking a lightweight hitch for their truck. It is a rotating rubber pin box system that replaces an existing stock rotating pin box. It is designed to reduce the stress of turning a fifth-wheel trailer by providing a true 90-degree turning radius in either direction. This is particularly useful for those with shorter beds, as it moves the pivot point of the setup further back, allowing the use of a stationary hitch instead of a slider. Stationary hitches are lighter than sliders, and the Orbital Pin Box can help to avoid the trailer hitting the cab of the truck during tight turns.

The Morryde Orbital Pin Box is part of the company's Rubber Pin Box system, which reduces back-and-forth chucking when towing a fifth wheel. This system moves back-and-forth and side-to-side to absorb the transfer of energy from the trailer to the truck, resulting in a smoother ride. The rubber shear spring technology allows for up to 3 inches of back-and-forth movement and up to 1.5 inches of side-to-side movement, accommodating a wide range of trailer weight ratings.

The installation of an orbital pin box depends on the vehicle and the type of install kit being used. Typically, the hitch is installed so that the trailer king pin is directly over or slightly forward of the centre line of the rear truck axle. The height of the hitch should be set to allow the trailer to be level and maintain a minimum of 6 inches between the bottom of the trailer loft and the top of the bed rails.

The pin box is bolted to the front of the fifth wheel and is the piece that connects the wheel to the hitch in the truck bed. The bottom portion, known as the king pin, is the circular piece that slides into the u-shaped portion of the hitch. The Morryde Orbital Pin Box can be used with a lightweight stationary hitch such as the Reese M5 Series, which is rated for 20,000 lbs and has a shipping weight of only 154 lbs.

Levelling a fifth wheel camper on uneven ground

Levelling a fifth-wheel camper on uneven ground is a crucial step in setting up your campsite. It ensures your RV's components and appliances work correctly and prevents damage to the exterior of your coach. Here is a step-by-step guide to levelling your fifth-wheel camper on uneven ground:

Step 1: Find a Level Campsite

Use the exterior bubble levels on your RV to get a first point of reference. You can also use a smartphone levelling app or a carpenter's level on a flat surface inside your RV, such as the kitchen table. This step is crucial to determine if the campsite is level or if adjustments are needed.

Step 2: Level from Side-to-Side While Still Hitched

Before detaching your fifth wheel from the tow vehicle, level it from side-to-side by manoeuvring the entire rig. This step ensures that the weight distribution is as even as possible before proceeding to the next steps.

Step 3: Raise the Low Side with Levelling Blocks

Place RV levelling blocks underneath the tires on the downhill side of the trailer. Store-bought levelling blocks are recommended, as they are easier to carry and allow you to raise your RV using measurable one-inch increments. Pull your trailer slowly forward and onto the levelling blocks.

Step 4: Level from Front to Back

Once your fifth wheel is parked on the levelling blocks, chock the wheels and unhitch. Now, focus on levelling from front to back. You can achieve this by raising or lowering your RV's front levelling jack(s). Adjust the tongue jack as needed until the length of your coach is level.

Step 5: Extend Rear Stabilizing Jacks

Extend the rear stabilizing jacks to prevent rocking. Be careful not to crank them down too hard, as your goal here is to take some weight off the trailer suspension to minimize interior bounce. If you are camped on a soft surface like dirt, consider placing blocks underneath the jacks for additional stabilization.

Remember, levelling a fifth-wheel camper on uneven ground is essential for your comfort and the proper functioning of your RV's appliances. By following these steps, you will be able to enjoy level campsites and restful nights wherever your adventures take you.

Adjusting the height of a fifth wheel hitch

Understanding the Components

Before adjusting the height, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the components involved. The fifth wheel hitch is the mechanism that connects your trailer to your truck's bed. It consists of a hitch ball and a trailer tongue socket. The height of the hitch ball needs to be slightly greater than the height of the trailer tongue socket to accommodate vehicle squat, which occurs due to the weight of the trailer.

Determining the Correct Height

The ideal height of your fifth wheel hitch will depend on two main factors: levelling and clearance. Firstly, you want to adjust the height so that your trailer is level when connected to the truck. Secondly, ensure you have at least 6 inches of clearance between the bottom of the trailer loft and the top of your truck's bed rails. The fifth wheel hitches typically offer several inches of vertical adjustment to help you achieve the correct height.

Adjusting the Height

To raise the height of your fifth wheel hitch, you will need to make adjustments to the pin box. The pin box is the component that connects your fifth wheel to the hitch in your truck's bed. To lower the front of the fifth wheel, you will need to raise the pin box. Conversely, lowering the pin box will result in raising the height of the fifth wheel at the front. Fine-tune the height adjustment until you achieve the desired level position and adequate clearance.

Vehicle Weight Considerations

When adjusting the height of the hitch ball, it's important to consider the weight of your trailer. For passenger cars, a good rule of thumb is to add 1/8 inch to the hitch ball height for every 100 pounds of trailer tongue weight. This adjustment accounts for the additional squat that the trailer's weight will cause on your vehicle.

Benefits of a MORryde Pin Box

Upgrading to a MORryde pin box can significantly enhance your towing experience. The MORryde pin box, also known as the Rubber Pin Box, reduces the back-and-forth chucking and jerking commonly experienced while towing a fifth wheel. It achieves this by allowing up to 3 inches of back-and-forth movement and up to 1.5 inches of side-to-side movement, resulting in a smoother ride for both the driver and passengers. Additionally, the MORryde pin box is compatible with a range of trailer weight ratings.

The benefits of a Morryde pin box

The MORryde pin box is a brand of pin box for fifth wheels that minimises chucking, the jarring back-and-forth motion created by the trailer's weight when being towed. The MORryde pin box is a rubber pin box system that absorbs the transfer of energy from the trailer to the truck, resulting in a smoother ride. Here are some benefits of using a MORryde pin box:

Smoother Ride

The MORryde pin box significantly reduces the back-and-forth and side-to-side chucking, resulting in a smoother and more comfortable ride. This is especially beneficial for those towing larger fifth wheels over long distances or on rugged terrain with frequent inclines and declines. The system features a patented rubber shear spring that allows for back-and-forth movement of up to 3 inches and side-to-side movement of up to 1.5 inches, ensuring a jerk-free experience even on uneven road conditions.

Easy Installation and Compatibility

The MORryde pin box is designed to accommodate most, if not all, fifth-wheel pin box assemblies from various companies. It is easy to install, and the process typically takes about one to two hours with two people working together. The pin box can be identified by locating the existing brand and model number, usually found on the pin box itself. If the model number is not visible, dealerships or RV manufacturers can help track down the assembly based on the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Shock Absorption

The MORryde pin box offers excellent shock absorption, making it easier on the towing vehicle. This feature helps to decrease wear and tear on both the RV and the tow vehicle, potentially extending their lifespans. The system includes a greasable spindle for smooth rotation and a locking wedge to prevent pivoting at the fifth-wheel hitch.

True 90-Degree Turning Radius

The MORryde Orbital Rotating Rubber Pin Box provides a true 90-degree turning radius in either direction, eliminating the need for a slider hitch. This feature enhances manoeuvrability and makes it ideal for towing vehicles with short truck beds, helping to avoid clearance issues and potential damage to the truck or RV.

Versatility and Customisation

The MORryde pin box offers versatility with three different lengths (short, medium, and long) and two different angle choices (45-degree telescoping and 72-degree telescoping). This allows for customisation based on individual needs and towing setups. Additionally, the system has integrated holes for lockout bolt storage and is rated for a trailer maximum gross weight of 16,000 lbs.

Frequently asked questions