Using GVWR to Determine Proper Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter Pin Box
Question:
I have A 2020 Keystone Cougar 32 BHS Half Ton Towableinch 5th-wheel pulled by my 2019 f-250 short bed with heavy duty tow package. RV GVWR is 11,500 and I have determined the loaded pin weight to be 1,870 after multiple trips to a trucking scale. The review video for the 2k version says a minimum of 1,875 pounds of vertical load is required. However, the manufactures website says the 3.5k version is the proper version. The 3.5k version has a higher minimum vertical load limit of 2,000 pounds. Im concerned my RV doesnt have enough pin weight to overcome the torsion resistance of the 3.5k hitch and create the smoother ride Im looking for. What do you recommend? Thanks.
asked by: Mike R
Expert Reply:
I spoke with Gen-Y Hitch to confirm the right gooseneck pin box for you.
To determine the proper pin box, they use a formula based on your GVWR. The tongue weight of your trailer can be anywhere between 10 and 30 percent of that number (30 is extremely high, but possible). Based on that, your 2020 Keystone Cougar (at 11,500 pounds of GVWR) can end up being between 1150 and 3450 pounds. This lines up with your measured weight.
As such, the 2K Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box is not right for you since its max tongue weight is 2000 pounds. Though your measured weight is less than that, if you load things differently or add anything in the trailer, it could go up.
So, to be safe, the proper pin box to get is the 3.5K version, part # 325-GH-8045, as this has a max tongue weight capacity of 3500 pounds, while the minimum is 1500 pounds.
As for the recommended vertical load in our videos, those numbers do not mean that you can't fall under those weights for a comfortable ride (as long as you fall within the minimum and maximum range of the pin box, of course). Those recommended weights are how you'll get the "perfect" ride quality, but hitting those exact numbers is unrealistic for most.
Put simply, your 1870 pounds of tongue weight is still above the minimum of 1500 pounds, so you'll get very good ride quality from the 3.5K version which is again, part # 325-GH-8045. I've linked to a video installation of this pin box for you to reference.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Gen-Y Hitch 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - Auto Latch - Lippert 1621/1621 HD - 21K - 3.5K TW
- Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
- Adapts Trailer
- Fifth Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- 21000 lbs GTW
- Replaces King Pin
- King Pin Adapters
- Gen-Y Hitch
more information >
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