Gen Y Gooseneck Adapter Pin Box -VS- Reese Gooseneck Air Ride Pin Box

Question:

We bought a new to us 2014 Voltage Epic V3200. It rides a bit nose high on the Trailair pin box currently on it mated to a Anderson hitch. It has 9 1/2” clearance between rails and trailer. 2006 F250 short bed with airbags and other goodies on tow vehicle. Truck has a very cool goose ball setup that goes completely level With the bed when not in use. So want to buy one of these pin boxes. So I want to know how to figure which of the 2 pin boxes would be the best fit. I slightly like the Gen Y better but am more interested in fit. How do I make sure the pin box itself won’t hit the rails? And how do I get either one to adjust and double check it will get me to 6” clearance between trailer and rails. Lowering the front that 3 1/2” and adding a two inch lift on the trailer will put me in the money as far as being level with my truck.

asked by: Lucas R

Helpful Expert Reply:

Either, the Reese # RP94720 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Air Ride, or the Gen Y # 325-GH-8045 Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter Pin Box, will mount onto the side wings of your Dutchman trailer as all three utilize the 1621 pin box bolt pattern.

I have included dimensional drawings for each of these pin boxes and you can see that they are nearly identical – so there will be no disadvantage in that respect. Neither of these pin boxes will touch the inside wall of the truck bed, even at 90% degree angles.

What this really comes down to, since clearance is the same, is the ride quality that each gives. For that I recommend the Reese Goose Box # RP85FR because it not only has an air bag but also shock absorbers that assist the air bag in giving you the smoothest towing experience possible. The air bag pressure adjustment allows you to dial in for the perfect ride at the pin weight present.

Regarding height adjustments for your trailer, you will want the hitch to be set at the height that first allows the trailer to be level, and second allows you a minimum of 6 inches between the bottom of the trailer loft and the top of the bed rails from front to back.

Start with truck and trailer hitched and fully loaded for camp and on level ground. Adjust your truck airbags to level your truck. If the trailer is level – you are good to go. If the trailer nose is down you can possibly adjust your gooseneck ball to a taller height, or drop in a taller ball. You could also use different mounting holes on your side wings to raise or lower the trailer nose.

If, as you have suggested, your nose is still up you may indeed need a small lift to the trailer suspension.

I have included links to both product pages and to install videos for each.