Towing a Brinkley - offset required?

[MarkCO1]

Its not a grand design problem, its a Lippert issue - only seeing it on the larger/heavier fully body 5th wheels (Solitudes and Momentums). The reflection line frames (which I have) seem to be ok so far

From what I have seen, you are probably mostly correct. BUT, the manufacturer still designs and specs the frames, or, even on the low end they approve the frame design.

I've worked a few cases professionally regarding vibration and related issues within the transportation industry and all I can say is that it is more complicated than it seems to the average lay person.

 

[darrellr]

Its not a grand design problem, its a Lippert issue - only seeing it on the larger/heavier fully body 5th wheels (Solitudes and Momentums). The reflection line frames (which I have) seem to be ok so far

Grand Design writes the specs, Lippert only builds them to the spec the manufacturer provides. I am not defending Lippert on the whole, but they don't design the frames.

 

[darrellr]

Is it Grand Design, or Lippert (who makes 90% of the frames), or suspension or combinations thereof. Workmanship AND design are things to look at, but there are certainly a lot of factors. (Rhetorical questions).

May be rhetorical, but customers doing research don't care. They see frame issues and Grand Design together - where does that leave the layperson lol?

 

[BAT3500]

And this issue would include the brinkly brand which was the original topic of this post.

One of the common roots of this problem seems to be that trailer manufacturers never really consider the posibble loaded weights for these rigs. Undersized frames, axles, overloaded tires and springs seem to be standard issues with most if not all of them.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

And this issue would include the brinkly brand which was the original topic of this post.

One of the common roots of this problem seems to be that trailer manufacturers never really consider the posibble loaded weights for these rigs. Undersized frames, axles, overloaded tires and springs seem to be standard issues with most if not all of them.

It’s also garbage steel used it’s not quality tubing or quality beam it’s the cheapest steel they can get their hands on.

 

[Mark Halwa]

Back to the OP’s topic (which was me), if anyone has a RAM 3500 and a Brinkley 3100, do you need the offset?

 

[Grey65]

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.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

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

I don't see how the GN is better at hitching up at all even on un even ground unless you only have a single pivot hitch but who really uses a single pivot these days

 

[BAT3500]

A full width trailer is 102" wide, the ball sits 36" back from the cab on my shortbed at least. Even with a 4" offset ball that leaves about 11" too much trailer to clear the cab at full 90 degrees turn.

Really wanted the gen y hitch to free up my bed space when not towing. But in my case, even a 4" offset would have been marginal. i did the math from real measurements and catalog data on the gen y hitch and then did a few sketches to verify results. For my trailer, using gen y hitch would only let me turn 36 degrees. A 4" offset would on improve to 38 degrees.

The slider hitches move back much more than 4" and at times the trailer still gets dam close to the cab.

 

[darrellr]

For those determining what they need by the ability to turn 90 degrees, why? How many times do you feel a 90 degree turn is needed? Have you ever watched your wheels / hangers while doing this? It is terrible for the trailer off road and far worse on pavement. To date, I have had to make one about 58 degree turn (used protractor on google maps to measure the turn), which means tighter than a 90 degree turn but with two lanes to use to help decrease the angle of the actual turn. This was about the limit of what I would have felt comfortable with using the Gen Y and the Gen Y offset ball in my Megacab. It worked out fine, took it very slow. How many of you will purposely get into a worse situation than that? I am sure there will be some who will swear they need 90 degrees every single weekend they go out, but it just isn't the measuring stick I would use here. As @BAT3500 stated, even with my Pullrite slider I would not have been able to do a 90 degree turn. But I have also never gotten myself into the mess of needing one.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

For those determining what they need by the ability to turn 90 degrees, why? How many times do you feel a 90 degree turn is needed? Have you ever watched your wheels / hangers while doing this? It is terrible for the trailer off road and far worse on pavement. To date, I have had to make one about 58 degree turn (used protractor on google maps to measure the turn), which means tighter than a 90 degree turn but with two lanes to use to help decrease the angle of the actual turn. This was about the limit of what I would have felt comfortable with using the Gen Y and the Gen Y offset ball in my Megacab. It worked out fine, took it very slow. How many of you will purposely get into a worse situation than that? I am sure there will be some who will swear they need 90 degrees every single weekend they go out, but it just isn't the measuring stick I would use here. As @BAT3500 stated, even with my Pullrite slider I would not have been able to do a 90 degree turn. But I have also never gotten myself into the mess of needing one.

Exactly i have been towing and boon docking for decades never once needed to go 90° even in really tight spots its really hard on everything to be doing that

 

[Grey65]

A full width trailer is 102" wide, the ball sits 36" back from the cab on my shortbed at least. Even with a 4" offset ball that leaves about 11" too much trailer to clear the cab at full 90 degrees turn.

This thread is specifically about a Brinkley Z3100 5th wheel which is 96” wide. With the Gen-Y offset ball which is a 5” offset, you can in fact turn to 90 degrees with a short bed Ram.

 

[BAT3500]

Didn't look up Brinlkey specs but this would be a departure from most keystone and GD designs.

As far as the gen Y hitch, it has 0 offset compared to most standard pinbox designs. It was in fact shorter than the stock Lippert pin box our particular keystone and the later alliance trailers.

And finally at even 96" wide, the ball in the bed is still just 36" back from the front edge leaving a potential 6" interference. The truck cab tapers down some and the front trailer cap is probably angled on the corners a bit, but things will get quite dicey anywhere near a full turn.

 

[Grey65]

Didn't look up Brinlkey specs but this would be a departure from most keystone and GD designs.

As far as the gen Y hitch, it has 0 offset compared to most standard pinbox designs. It was in fact shorter than the stock Lippert pin box our particular keystone and the later alliance trailers.

You are giving advice about a Brinkley when using other brands.. Would be like giving advice on a Cummins when you have a Powerstroke. Apples to Oranges. Plus Grand Design Reflection Series is 96" wide. Only the Solitude Series is 102" wide.

I also said Gen-Y offset ball. I did not state offset hitch. See pic.

I had a Ram HD short bed truck and I used a Gen-Y offset ball on my Brinkley Z3100. I checked to see if one could go 90 degrees. And it did go to 90 degrees. I am giving the OP REAL data. You are quoting other trailers and do not know what a Gen-Y offset ball is yet you are trying to give the OP advice?

 

[BAT3500]

5" offset ball puck vs 4" B&W puck offset that had access too would not make much real-world difference. The required gen y pin box was in fact shorter than the stock lippert pin box on my two trailers. And yes i wanted the gen y to work, really need the bed space when not hauling but scale design sketches with 102" wide trailer proved no worky for me.

If your setup works for you, so be it, i am out and done.

 

[Brutal_HO]

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.

 

[Mark Halwa]

I have a 2021 RAM 3500, but did not get the factory gooseneck. I purchased the RAM gooseneck Prep Kit (and wiring) and I'll need to drill three holes in the truck bed to install it, one for the gooseneck and two for the safety chains. I'm going to purchase a Gen-Y 5" offset ball which I believe requires a total of five holes - the two additional would be used for the stabilizing wings of the Gen-Y 5" offset. If anyone else has done this, are the extra two holes also 3 3/4" in diameter and where did you get an additional two trim covers?

 

[Brutal_HO]

I have a 2021 RAM 3500, but did not get the factory gooseneck. I purchased the RAM gooseneck Prep Kit (and wiring) and I'll need to drill three holes in the truck bed to install it, one for the gooseneck and two for the safety chains. I'm going to purchase a Gen-Y 5" offset ball which I believe requires a total of five holes - the two additional would be used for the stabilizing wings of the Gen-Y 5" offset. If anyone else has done this, are the extra two holes also 3 3/4" in diameter and where did you get an additional two trim covers?

The factory RAM GN prep kit should be the GN/Puck mounts. There's no "safety chain" holes. You use a puck adapter for chains.

The Gen-Y offset uses the GN + the front 2 pucks. The safety chains go to the rear pucks.

 

[Mark Halwa]

I did not get the factory gooseneck when I ordered my RAM, the RAM gooseneck prep kit I ordered uses three holes.
What I discovered was I require an additional Fifth Wheel Prep Kit and five holes to properly install a Gen-Y Gooseneck 5" Offset Ball.
For anyone in my situation (did not order factory gooseneck), three parts are required:

1. 822115837AC, Fifth Wheel Prep Kit
2. 822115839AC, Gooseneck Prep Kit
3. 82212195AB, Hitch Wheel Wiring Kit

 

[AH64ID]

I did not get the factory gooseneck when I ordered my RAM, the RAM gooseneck prep kit I ordered uses three holes.
What I discovered was I require an additional Fifth Wheel Prep Kit and five holes to properly install a Gen-Y Gooseneck 5" Offset Ball.
For anyone in my situation (did not order factory gooseneck), three parts are required:

1. 822115837AC, Fifth Wheel Prep Kit
2. 822115839AC, Gooseneck Prep Kit
3. 82212195AB, Hitch Wheel Wiring Kit

You have an extra digit in both 1&2 part numbers. Remove one of the 1’s.

Also if you order both 1&2 you’ll have extra parts. It’s probably cheaper to order 2 and then the individual parts to complete the front puck installation.

Personally I wouldn’t run a 5” offset, but that’s my preference for weight location.