Words by Perry Mack
I'm not sure there's a more exciting time in a person's life than pulling out of the RV dealer lot with a new 5th wheel in tow, in anticipation of the good times and adventures to come. (I mean right after finding the perfect life partner and birth of your children – right?)
The combination of space and affordability in a 5th wheel is unsurpassed in the RV world. Shortly after turning out of the lot you begin to experience the joy of every pothole, expansion joint, and crack in the pavement, which is only surpassed by the washboard gravel roads as you reach for the secluded site of your dreams.
For years I accepted this as part of the RV experience, mentally working in a Zen-like fashion to focus on the destination, whether it be a boondocking paradise or heavenly, luxury RV resort.
Gen-Y
The challenge with the 5th wheel towing system is the direct connection of trailer and truck. The more closely the trailer weight is to the max tow of your truck, and the less balanced the weight is in the trailer, the more jarring the effect of imperfections in the road surface. If you've experienced this, you know how fatiguing this mini bronco bull ride can be through hours of driving over the frost-heaved pavement, but did you also know it increases tire wear and decreases fuel efficiency?
Gen-Y has developed a hitch system using patented torsion flex technology to separate the action of the truck and trailer. Rather than have the truck buck the trailer, followed by the trailer bucking the truck, repeating until the suspension in both the truck and trailer get control of the inertia, the torsion flex technology absorbs the up and down forces, giving both the truck and trailer a much smoother ride.
In the case of the Gen-Y hitches, the inertia is absorbed in the torsion arms with every vertical movement of the trailer rather than being transferred directly from truck to trailer and back again. Only 10 percent of the trailer inertia transfers instead of 100 percent using a traditional 5th wheel hitch.
Gen-Y
Users of Gen-Y hitches report fuel savings of up to 1.28 km/L (3 mpg) and improved tread life in their tires. Over time, and kilometres, this adds up to a great deal of cash savings.
There are two connection models; the Executive 5th wheel to Kingpin box, perfect if you already have a 5th wheel in the truck bed, and the Executive 5th wheel Kingpin box to gooseneck conversion. The conversion eliminates the need for a 5th wheel in the truck bed, allowing you to have full use of your truck bed when you’re not towing. If you don’t own a fifth wheel, it will save you the cost of purchasing and installing a 5th wheel.
The Executive line of Gen-Y 5th wheel hitches are designed to fit almost every trailer on the market and can be adjusted to sit at the height you need. Depending on the option you choose they can tow up to a 30,000-pound trailer with up to a 5,500-pound pin weight. The built-in tongue weight scale is a smart addition that will help you achieve a more balanced trailer for an even safer, smoother towing experience.
Gen-Y
We find that the Executive 5th Wheel Hitch is a good investment. It eliminates most chucking, bucking and surging. Aside from fuel economy and tire life, the reduction in bouncing reduces material fatigue in the trailer and its contents, which saves even more money in the long term. Another benefit is the safety aspect. Less bouncing means better braking and steering control. You also drive with less stress and fatigue, making you a more alert driver.
Whether you’re towing an RV, horse, or equipment trailer, we find everyone benefits from Gen-Y’s torsion flex technology. Maybe now you’ll be able to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.
For more information on the specifications of the different Executive 5th wheel hitch options, and details on their 100% satisfaction guarantee, check out the Gen-Y site at;
https://genyhitch.com/product-category/fifth-wheel-torsion-flex/