Gen-Y Hitch Conversion

[Lloydt512]

Watched an interesting video on converting a 5th wheel hitch to a Gen-Y gooseneck type hitch. Has anyone on the forum made this change and if yes, would you recommend the change.

[prndl]

Why do you want a gooseneck instead of the kingpin?

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by prndl

Why do you want a gooseneck instead of the kingpin?

The Gen Y is a 5th wheel pin box or, optionally, a gooseneck. I have to believe the OP meant the 5th wheel pin box type

Originally Posted by Lloydt512

....Has anyone on the forum made this change....

Member Drifty1 converted to the Gen Y Pin Box. You might PM him about it.

[Lloydt512]

I liked the fact you only have a ball type hitch in the truck bed so you gain a lot of carrying capacity, remove weight from truck, and the torsion mechanism in the pin box appears to reduce surging or jerking in the truck.

[Lloydt512]

Yes, a gooseneck type hitch is the video I watched.

[Carl n Susan]

Be aware that using a gooseneck hitch voids your frame warranty unless it is a Reese Goose Box.

[prndl]

The reason I asked is because I just installed a Gen-Y kingpin. The gooseneck type of any manufacturer increases the leverage on the trailer mount. This could lead to frame problems. I pull with a 2022 GMC standard bed and have no issues with turning.

[Pamc]

My husband has also been watching videos on the Gen-Y gooseneck. Our question is does the Gen-Y gooseneck torsion bar hitch reduce the transfer of energy from the truck bed to the 5th wheel? In other words...e.g. when you hit a pothole does it significantly reduce the shock from truck bed to 5th wheel? We hit a pothole that was so bad it knocked all of our clothes off the front closet rod. We also have independant suspension. Does the Gen-Y hitch absorb most of the shock or enough of the shock to make it worth the expense of changing. (btw...we are aware of the warranty issue with Montana)

[jwengermt]

We installed the Reese Goose Box for our 5er. I did all of the research and felt that the Reese was a better option for us. There are some differences between the Gen Y and the Reese. We made the change in 2021 and have been very satisfied with it.

[Scootsk]

May want to watch the recent YouTube videos from bigtruckbigrv. He just did a series of video from the Lippert frame factory. They explain why you shouldn’t convert the stock king pin as it adds to stress on the frame.

[JDDilly]

I went with the Reese Goosebox. Mainly because of the frame warranty. I like only having a ball in the truck to take out to utilize the full box. I was unable to remove the 5th wheel hitch due to health so this is great for me. Also, I have really noticed that the towing is better, no chunking.

[Ttman]

Originally Posted by Lloydt512

Watched an interesting video on converting a 5th wheel hitch to a Gen-Y gooseneck type hitch. Has anyone on the forum made this change and if yes, would you recommend the change.

We have the Gen-Y Executive 5th wheel king pin and love it. I went with it in 2020 so it would work with our Pull-Rite auto slider for truck clearance while turning. They have a bolt on block to work with the Pull-Rite so you don’t have to use and fight with the Pull-Rite plate. Back then they did not have any rearward off set gooseneck balls for clearance so I didn’t even consider it. After feeling what it was like towing prior to installing the Gen-Y, I am completely a believer and major fan of Gen-Y! I called them and order directly and got a military discount as well.

Brinkley uses Gen-Y. Here is a video where they ran independent testing. https://youtu.be/1X7gCpF4hpc?si=TKmImY1qQG6cbXDA

[jwengermt]

We went with the B&W rollover ball hitch. Then went with the Reese. Love the fact that i have full use of the box. Nothing to take in or out of the box. Just put the ball in. We have the 6' box. BW sells a 4" extension ball that you need for tighter corners and it works perfect. The Reese also smooths out the towing issues on rougher highways. No more bouncing around. Strongly recommend it.

[GeneK2]

Originally Posted by Scootsk

May want to watch the recent YouTube videos from bigtruckbigrv. He just did a series of video from the Lippert frame factory. They explain why you shouldn’t convert the stock king pin as it adds to stress on the frame.

The interesting comment on that series, which I watched, is that most of these the problems are occurring on units rated at greater than 17,000 #’s. I have the Anderson hitch and my unit the 3121rl is never over a low weighed 14,000 #.

[Mark7]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Be aware that using a gooseneck hitch voids your frame warranty unless it is a Reese Goose Box.

I talked to Gen Y about this before ordering. They asked about my Monte before they would sell me one. The hitch I bought is made for the Lippert pin box I have and in no way exerts any more leverage on the pin box than my king pin did… as a matter of fact because of the softened ride (torsion system) it is better for everything.

Since warranty doesn’t apply to me (20 year old rig) it’s a moot point in my case, but they told me that in no way does their hitch affect any warranty.

Reese made a deal with Lippert to accept the goose box as “ok” because Reese sent them drawings and paid $$$ for the privilege. To date Gen Y has not done so.

The reason I went with the gooseneck option is because I have the puck system in my Ram and a really wanted my box back. The reason for Gen Y vs Reese is because I got the Gen Y factory direct as a returned item for 50% the price of new. ($800). It looks like new. One of those “right place at the right time” deals.

I also own a 30’ flatbed gooseneck trailer so dealing with gooseneck hitches is not a big deal for me.