Towing a Brinkley - offset required?

[Mark Halwa]

Thanks AH64ID - you are correct in the part numbers. For anyone else doing this - here are the correct part numbers:

1. 82215839AC, Gooseneck Prep Kit
2. 82215837AC, Fifth Wheel Prep Kit
3. 82212195AB, Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Wiring Kit

It is also true that ordering # 1 & #2 will result in extra parts, but it will actually cost $253.60 CDN more.

So for anyone who didn't order the gooseneck prep kit, and then found out they needed it, order items 1, 2 & 3 for an offset hitch. It is true the gooseneck should be right over the wheels, for those of us with shortbeds, the 5" offset may reduce some weight from the front end but will provide extra room for putting the tailgate down, or turning a little more tightly.

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[roegs]

For reference. All drop frame 5th wheels are 102" wide and all mid-size 5th wheels are 96" wide.

GD Solitude, Momentum are drop frame - 102" wide.
GD Reflection and Solitude S-line are mid size - 96" wide.

I realize that this is an older thread, but I wanted to update the above information for future readers.

GD Solitude and Solitude S-Line (S Class) are drop frame and are wide body (101").

New Influence line that replaced S-Line (S Class) is not drop frame, but continue the S Class wide body. These are non-drop frame with 101" width.

 

[AH64ID]

A rear offset ball with a GN hitch does not move weight back 5". It is still transferred to the original GN hitch location. Physics.

Not true at all.

 

[NDanecker]

Not true at all.

I knew this was going to spark some debate which is why I removed the comment as it really didn't help the OP.

Anyways, if relocation ball is not adding weight to the bed and applying force back to the original GN ball location (which is what the Gen-Y ball relocation does) then you are not moving the vertical force rearward 5". You are, however, adding a rotational moment thus adding additional force on what the rear wheels see and lifting front wheels similar to how a bumper pull shifts weight from front axle to rear. So if pin weight is 3000lbs you are still applying 3000lbs downward vertical force on original GN ball plus additional 100 lbs to the rear axle from the moment you created and unloading front by 100 lbs (assuming 150" wheelbase shortbox). So in effect you increased rear axle by 100lbs by moving the ball rearward 5".

 

[AH64ID]

I knew this was going to spark some debate which is why I removed the comment as it really didn't help the OP.

Anyways, if relocation ball is not adding weight to the bed and applying force back to the original GN ball location (which is what the Gen-Y ball relocation does) then you are not moving the vertical force rearward 5". You are, however, adding a rotational moment thus adding additional force on what the rear wheels see and lifting front wheels similar to how a bumper full shifts weight from front axle to rear. So if pin weight is 3000lbs you are still applying 3000lbs downward vertical force on original GN ball plus additional 100 lbs to the rear axle from the moment you created and unloading front by 100 lbs (assuming 150" wheelbase shortbox). So in effect you increased rear axle by 100lbs by moving the ball rearward 5".

Ah, I must have hit reply before you deleted the comment.

That weight transfer is the issue. Even thou it's being applied thru the original GN hitch it's not directly over it anymore.

The issue isn't the additional weight on the rear axle, it's the removal of weight from the front axle.

 

[NDanecker]

Ah, I must have hit reply before you deleted the comment.

That weight transfer is the issue. Even thou it's being applied thru the original GN hitch it's not directly over it anymore.

The issue isn't the additional weight on the rear axle, it's the removal of weight from the front axle.

True, but IMO the removal of the roughly 100lbs is insufficient although I agree more than zero. Should have little real world negative effects from a driving and handling perspective. Worth the 5" ! LOL

Bigger question is how much does this lower the capacity of the OEM GN hitch plate as the engineers did not anticipate these additional rotational forces. Again more than zero but probably insignificant considering most people don't come close to the plates rated capacity and I'm sure there is a large safety factor in the design before failure.

 

[CatchingSmalls]

I had a 2022 Ram 2500 with the 6.4" bed when I bought my Z3100 (Z207) in July of 2023. I installed a Reese Goosebox on the trailer. You could NOT turn to 90 degrees. I switch to a 2023 Ram 3500 with the 8' bed as I do not go to camp grounds at all (only boondock) and sometimes need to be at more than 90 degrees to get into some of the camping spots I go to.

If you do not need to go to 90 degrees just using a Reese or Gen Y is fine. If you need to go to 90 degrees get the offset.

Gooseneck is so much better on road and 1,000% better when hitching on uneven ground.

Thanks very much for this reply. I just bought a 2025 RAM 3500 6' 4" bed and have a contract on a Z 3100, which will have a Gen Y hitch, and this is the answer I needed. First 5er so I'm not sure how critical turning 90 degrees will be. Sounds pretty severe.

 

[roegs]

We only stay at facilities with hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. I hope to never put my 5th wheel suspension through the stress of a 90 degree turn on a hard surface. While turns like that could be necessary while boondocking (never done it), we've never had the need. When backing my wife always spots and keeps an eye on the cab.

Up till now we used an Andersen hitch on our 35' Solitude and it was great. We recently upgraded to a slightly longer Grand Design Influence and I switched to a GooseBox. I now have an issue where the pinbox contacts the tonneau cover rails that are attached to the sides of our 6' 4" bed when turning. The contact happens way before the 5th wheel would contact the cab of our truck. Now I'm on a mission to find a bed cover that does not use rails that make the truck bed narrower. Always something.....

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Thanks very much for this reply. I just bought a 2025 RAM 3500 6' 4" bed and have a contract on a Z 3100, which will have a Gen Y hitch, and this is the answer I needed. First 5er so I'm not sure how critical turning 90 degrees will be. Sounds pretty severe.

It would be very hard on the trailer suspension.

 

[jetlag]

We only stay at facilities with hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. I hope to never put my 5th wheel suspension through the stress of a 90 degree turn on a hard surface. While turns like that could be necessary while boondocking (never done it), we've never had the need. When backing my wife always spots and keeps an eye on the cab.

Up till now we used an Andersen hitch on our 35' Solitude and it was great. We recently upgraded to a slightly longer Grand Design Influence and I switched to a GooseBox. I now have an issue where the pinbox contacts the tonneau cover rails that are attached to the sides of our 6' 4" bed when turning. The contact happens way before the 5th wheel would contact the cab of our truck. Now I'm on a mission to find a bed cover that does not use rails that make the truck bed narrower. Always something.....

We pull a Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS, have been for over 4 years now, with a Andersen ultimate and absolutely no issues. If we move to another 5th wheel, The goose box would be my choice since you can have your bad back in a flash

 

[MarkCO1]

Thanks very much for this reply. I just bought a 2025 RAM 3500 6' 4" bed and have a contract on a Z 3100, which will have a Gen Y hitch, and this is the answer I needed. First 5er so I'm not sure how critical turning 90 degrees will be. Sounds pretty severe.

If you have a contract for your unit with the GenY, disregard. But, the new TCS with a B&W companion will let you turn almost to 90 degrees and it is a better and safer system than a gooseneck. The articulation it provides is actually more than the GenY and the vibration dampening is better too.

 

[whitexc]

If you have a contract for your unit with the GenY, disregard. But, the new TCS with a B&W companion will let you turn almost to 90 degrees and it is a better and safer system than a gooseneck. The articulation it provides is actually more than the GenY and the vibration dampening is better too.

I love everything about my Companion minus its mass lol. It just stays. I bought trailers cuz my truck is useless for anything other than scooters and firewood.


Sent from me

 

[AH64ID]

I really liked my Companion, but the goosebox is better in every single aspect except hitching height. I’m not sure I would go back to a traditional 5th wheel setup. Stronger, more movement, better ride, and the bed is empty in seconds.

 

[roegs]

.... But, the new TCS with a B&W companion will let you turn almost to 90 degrees and it is a better and safer system than a gooseneck....

@MarkCO1 ....I'm a new GooseBox owner. Although I did not specifically research the TCS / Companion combination everything I read pointed to a gooseneck solution. Can you clarify your statements (especially 'safer') and provide some information?