How To Hitch and Unhitch 5th Wheel Gen Y Gooseneck (Tips & Tricks)

This week, we are helping you with some tips and tricks on how to hitch and unhitch the 5th Wheel Gen Y Gooseneck.
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[@EverythingRVbyPat]

Getting this hitch is going to be my first item of business for my new RV. Thank you for sharing the videos. And thank you for honoring our American Heroes!!! Happy Travels to you, Pat

[@WaywardWaggs]

Happy to help. We hope you like the hitch as much as we do.

[@EverythingRVbyPat]

@@WaywardWaggs We just purchased yesterday and the dealer ordered it for me. They are actually going to install it for me as well. Thanks again, Pat

[@aspenwoodpmaspenwood3781]

I took a $3 pool noodle and cut off at 4 ft with a hollowed out end, fits perfectly over the ball and is visible in the mirror. Back up until you hit it, then lower the trailer.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Nice! Thanks for sharing that tip 😊

[@dougmiller8221]

Thanks for sharing this information with them it works amazing

[@rebchief285]

Hi, just watched this video. I just wanted to thank you for your honoring of Marine Sgt. Christopher Hrbek at the end of your video. Sgt. Herbek grew up not far from where I live here in NJ. His stepdad is a good friend of mine as well. Again, thank you for honoring our fallen service men and women.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Wow, that's awesome. The pleasure was ours 😊

[@NoSticksNoBricks]

That hitch is on our short list of upgrades...great information!

[@steventurban]

Love you guys! Love my GenY too. I keep a small dog leash to attach to the end of the cable so I can pull it while operating the landing gear myself. Safe travels!

[@WaywardWaggs]

Good idea. We might start doing that.

[@DexKoontz]

I first dry the tears that always flow from watching the tributes, so I can see to type. Thank you for honoring America's best; such a tremendous loss to their loved ones and our country... We are in month 16 of our Gen-Y hitch. I like your suggestions very much. It was a struggle, then I bought two of the "tennis balls" things. I set one centered on the hitch, and the other right in front of the ball in my bed. I line them up, then back up until the tennis ball in my bed gets tipped. That is the point when my Gen-Y is sitting over the ball. That has worked, but I really want to add the camera to the equation. I have the model that you have to slide a pin into the hitch to keep in on the ball. Oh my, leaning over the rails to insert it and remove it... I can't believe I haven't broken a few ribs. A Cargo Grabber Truck Cargo Retriever, Grabber Reach Tool for Pickup Truck Bed, Multi-Use Cargo Retriever Extendable Reaching Aid, (that is the name in Amazon) would be a great way to grab that release cable when you are working alone.

[@WaywardWaggs]

It is our pleasure to honor the fallen to help keep the memory of their sacrifice alive. The camera definitely helps a lot.

[@DexKoontz]

@@WaywardWaggs ❤

[@CoddiwompleTravelers]

Those are some great tips!

[@sherriweber7105]

Great tips Dustin. Who can line it up better you or Leslie? lol! You did a great job with lining up the hitch with all of what you used. Great idea! Glad it works. Seems easy. Great video!

[@WaywardWaggs]

Thanks Sherri

[@brettbrotherton6822]

We just signed paperwork to have an Avenue 32RLS built at the factory with this guy added on. They had to call the mothership to confirm the bolt pattern would work but we managed to get it added on right out of the gate. Thanks Dustin and Leslie for confirming that this hitch is what we wanted instead of the stock 5th wheel hitch. We appreciate your content and videos!

[@WaywardWaggs]

Happy to help. We hope it works out well for you.

[@robmcneill2967]

It is a great system that your using. Love how everything just hooks to the puck system. Heck if Leslie wasnt around you could just use a pin puller, hook it in the eye of the cable And you would be good to go. Thanks for sharing

[@WaywardWaggs]

We might try something to rig it up a little better.

[@danielwolfe6131]

I to use the Harbor Freight tennis ball and reflective tape as you do and I am able to see the tennis ball move and know the hitch is centered over the ball so I am able to hitch by myself. I use a dog leash to extend the cable to unlock the hitch so I can unhitch by myself. Great videos

[@WaywardWaggs]

Good idea with the dog leash.

[@TKnEarl]

We were using a silicone disk around our pin, but after a while it just made unhitching a lot harder. Decided to only use grease, and it's been so much easier.

[@MelNetteLivingFreeZipCodeless]

Wow! You got it down to a science! Looks great y’all. Safe travels ~Mel & Nette ♥️

[@farmdoc9252]

Thx. No one seems to talk about the space you lose in the bed of your truck while towing to allow for the swing of the gen y. We pack our bed full of gear when we go for extended trips. Can pack on both sides of our hitch because it doesn’t move. Just a trade off. Everything has pros and cons.

[@airstreamer]

Very helpful video for hooking and unhooking this hitch. - Michelle

[@RVUntethered]

We have a slider, but the tape is still a great idea!! Great video!

[@markyeater2247]

I installed mine a couple months ago went to Washington state about 3000 miles. I can’t believe the difference no chucking the It’s amazing. Love you guys be safe.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Glad to hear you enjoy it. We are still loving ours too.

[@jamesalexander2216]

We have been using the Reese gooseneck for 2 years and we love it! We also had the slider hitch.

[@kourtnayogden3909]

Since I can see the bed cover in my F250 reverse camera, I added to strips of bright colored tape to the top of the bed cover where the center of the hitch fits in between it. That way when backing up, I just look in the camera and line up the middle of the hitch in between those two tape lines.

[@WaywardWaggs]

That's a good fix 👍🏻😊

[@rjrvadventures]

Nice video! Thanks for the tips! We will keep Gen Y in mind whenever we finally get our 5er.

[@bmac5496]

Love our Gen Y. I use the magnet stick to line up as well. Back up until I touch it and it’s perfect. I operate jacks with lippert app on phone when I’m alone and it works well connecting and disconnecting!

[@WaywardWaggs]

Unfortunately, we don't have the smart technology on our RV to lower and raise landing gear.

[@ariverstonesthrowaway]

We have been using the Gen-Y hitch for 3 years and love it. We make it a game as to who can line it up perfectly in 1 shot and normally it is the wife! So I am fine with that - we just use the RAM bed camera, it has a line on the camera and just align it to the ball. Super simple and I think the more you do it the easier it is. Now for unhooking - this is a complaint I had with Gen-Y is that darn cable. Why on earth they didn't put some sort of lock where you can lock it open. We have added a longer cord to the cable so I could do it myself and also reach my landing jack control. I have now found something that works awesome - and solo. I took that loop off the cable so it is a straight cable. I put the cable into a sail cleat that has a hook on it. Feed the cable through this cleat and it locks in. I can then take the hook and attach it to my tailgate to pull the cable just enough to open the jaws. Kinda hard to explain... I use the same cable, no loop and hook it to my truck... adjust the cleat to shorten or lengthen the pull cable. Your RAM doesn't have a bed camera option - looks like it does in the video. Good video!

[@WaywardWaggs]

Thanks for the tips.

[@joeyvest632]

Thank you

[@deanwoodard4830]

Great show

[@MrJgriffard]

You already have the Haloview system. Just add one of those cameras for hooked by up your goose neck. It can handle 4 cameras. This is what I use. I also put magnets in the base of camera. Now you can put it in other places

[@WaywardWaggs]

Nice- thanks for the suggestion 😁

[@melodygrandinetti5016]

We just invest in the andersen hitch. What a game changer. So easy to install and remove

[@timf6916]

Good job

[@dwaynenelson7957]

We don't have a Gen-Y hitch but wanted a camera to assist with hooking and unhooking our 5th wheel. I had an older Android phone that wasn't being used anymore so installed an app called SayCheese on it and my current Android phone. The app allows the old phone to be a camera that transmits the view to my current android phone. The old phone does not need a cellular connection. I believe there is a similar app for the iPhone. I put the old phone in a magnetic phone holder and attach it to the front of the truck bed perpendicular to the hitch. I now have great view and it doesn't require yet another viewing screen. Plus it was almost free; I did have to buy a cheap magnetic phone holder.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Great idea, very original.

[@CherishtheJourneyy]

Great tips, I love our Gen-Y hitch for me I had bought a rear view mirror dash cam and I came with a second camera that I put on myself right where your bed camera is. Then on my tailgate there is two screws that I know I need to be in between those and then my wife looks over and tells me when to stop and she drops the trailer down.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Good technique.

[@Oneliferight]

Was wondering if you could just use your phone app to raise the jacks while holding the cable?

[@WaywardWaggs]

Unfortunately, our RV does not have that option.

[@MaximilianYpplm]

Try taping the camera on the RV positioning at the hitch. You will then see how the truck move and aligns to the ball on the bed.

[@10001694]

You can use a dog leash to extend the cable for a single person unhooking. I found the yellow ball on the antenna, the antenna gets loose at the base by the magnet and it moves. I now use a magnet with a long handle used for picking up items off the ground. It is wider and more stable.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Ours was loose too. Remove the magnet. There is a screw under it. Tighten it up and replace the magnet and it is good as new.

[@dougwilliams3276]

Till Valhalla Brother

[@jamesglenn520]

With the cargo camera on my 21 Ram longbox I can zoom in and put the hitch on the ball without any help. We have always used the Anderson Buckets on all our stabilizes so getting the hight is not a problem.

[@WaywardWaggs]

That would be nice to zoom in!

[@bradmiller3557]

I’ve used that ball for years and years.

[@thehobbiest]

Love the channel! We are looking to upgrade from a Truck camper to a 5th wheel and I have been going back on forth on the right connector. Did you notice a difference in ride from the traditional puck 5th wheel connector you switched from to this? Many people say the gooseneck ball connector is a much rougher ride but can't speak to the difference with a Gen Y hitch. I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts!

[@WaywardWaggs]

The Gen Y is much smoother than the puck hitch we had. The puck hitch used to chuck on take off and stop. The Gen Y does not chuck at all. Very smooth. Hope this helps.

[@thehobbiest]

@@WaywardWaggsyes it does. Thank you!!

[@michaellaney3382]

Hi there, thank you for the very informed videos and cudos for the fallen tribute! I am seriously looking at the Gen-Y gooseneck hitch to solve a few issues, 1. truck bed space and 2. camper is a little nose high. I see you have the Gen-Y offset adapter plate which I am also considering. I have the hitch specs from website but need to know what additional height is added from the ball connection. Could you sometime measure from the Bed (floor) of your truck to the center of the top row of holes on the Gen-Y hitch with your trailer connected and jacks up? If you could provide this measurement, I would appreciate it! Thanks and good job!

[@joeyvest632]

What is that adapter you have in the bed of your truck that the genx attaches to? And why do you have it?

[@WaywardWaggs]

It is an adaptor that moves the ball back six inches. It plugs into the truck's puck system. Since we have a short bed truck, it helps ensure the cap of the RV doesn't strike the cab of the truck on tight turns. We tal about it in more detail in our Gen Y Pros and cons video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJazZWaXoL9nga8si=_lLaaSAP6GGXLgBg

[@danielnyberg23]

Ever try using a dog leash to help you pull the cable if you were by yourself? Would give you an extra 6ft.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Great idea.

[@danielnyberg23]

⁠I don’t have a GenY to try it on. We have a slider and would be interested to hear if that works. Thank you and thanks for all the videos.

[@michaellaney3382]

hi again, forgot to mention, would prefer the measurement from the ball location to the top row of bolt holes on teh hitch, I know this may be more difficult however, thanks

[@WaywardWaggs]

Sorry. I can't provide measurements. We sold the truck and RV.

[@BuellXB12SDucati1198]

I wonder if adding a cable extension will aid in holding the latch open while pushing the lift button for single person use. Or maybe a bungee cord to hold the latch cable open. I live alone, so being able to hitch and un-hitch by myself is important.

[@WaywardWaggs]

An extension would probably work.

[@gallixymike1530]

The lift test looks like it's lifting off the bed, doesn't that loosen the ball after awhile ? Thanks for the videos

[@WaywardWaggs]

The ball is attached to an attachment that plugs into the puck system which moves the ball back six inches. The ball is not attached directly to the truck. We show it in detail in our Gen Y Pros and cons video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJazZWaXoL9nga8si=uFdmw3Dm6AXoLaKk

[@gallixymike1530]

Thanks just saw that video. Appreciate it

[@PaulLaszcwski]

Is it just possible to extend the release cable to make it a one person operation 5:55

[@WaywardWaggs]

Ya. I think we probably can. We have been exploring options.

[@suziebrown7568]

Hi we just came across your video. Great tips 👍🏻. Quick question what type of pads do you have under your front leveling gear. (The red ones.) I like how they are the same size as the gear. Thanks so much we love your channel.

[@WaywardWaggs]

They are just the red leveling blocks. We picked them up at an RV store but Amazon has them too. Valterra A10-0918 Stackers Multi-Use RV Leveling Pads (Pack of 10) , Red a.co/d/doavNqE

[@suziebrown7568]

@@WaywardWaggs Thank you!!

[@K9Steve]

Any issues with hitting the truck with RV when turning / jackknifing with the short bed?

[@WaywardWaggs]

No. With the adaptor, we have never even come close to a strike.

[@blairM363]

Thanks for the video. Have you tried a pool noodle on the ball? When you knock it over you at the right spot.

[@WaywardWaggs]

That is a good idea but it would take all of the grease off of the ball every time we hitch up.

[@blairM363]

@@WaywardWaggs just set it on top of the ball. On top of the highest drop of grease. It may take that one drop off. Don’t squeeze the noodle on the ball.

[@billchesney8949]

You should add a similar collar on the release cable to the Reese hitch then you wouldn’t have to hold the cable while raising hitch off ball

[@WaywardWaggs]

Good idea

[@josephscheneck1540]

Thanks for the video. Perfect timing as we're about to install the Gen-Y on our Paradigm. We also have a RAM 3500 SRW. I see you have the Gen -Y as high as possible on the Paradigm. How does the 5er ride with that setting? Did you have to adjust it? Or was it riding level? Thanks!

[@WaywardWaggs]

It rides level and very smooth. No chucking at all. We love it.

[@josephscheneck1540]

@@WaywardWaggs Thank you!

[@bradmiller3557]

Why the gooseneck vs the 5th wheel. Does the gooseneck harm the connection to the RV? It’s been said the gooseneck increases the moment at the RV and may damage the RV’s frame. What say you?

[@WaywardWaggs]

We've been using it for over a year now without any issues at all.

[@richardmayrand4724]

Great video. Thanks for the info. Quick question. What is the length of your truck's bed? Do you know if the Gen Y comes with an option for a shorter than 8' bed?

[@TonyBenton0728]

Yes they do ! The one in his bed is the extension.

[@WaywardWaggs]

There is an attachment that moves the ball back six inches for shorter beds. It plugs into your truck's puck system. We talk about it in more detail in our Gen Y Pros and cons video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJazZWaXoL9nga8si=mRMdxXd3daaK67W8

[@LauraMcClellanwrites]

We have ours in a 6.5’ bed without the offset setup and it works fine.

[@richardmayrand4724]

@@WaywardWaggs TY

[@kourtnayogden3909]

I don't see their hitch lock listed on their website. Did you purchase somewhere else?

[@WaywardWaggs]

That's weird. No, we got it from them directly.

[@kourtnayogden3909]

⁠@@WaywardWaggsthanks! I reached out to Gen-y and they have discontinued it since they have now changed out the locking mechanism on the hitch.

[@robertburns5145]

I’m hoping to one day get a Gen Y gooseneck hitch but I’m curious about the Sumo Springs you have. Another KZbinr (Downsizing Makes Cents) has them and they were told that the Sumo Springs caused the cracks in their Lippert frame that were so bad that their camper is totalled. Have you experienced anything with the Sumo Springs that would cause you concern?

[@TonyBenton0728]

1strangeadventure was told the same thing when they got their frame repaired.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Sumo Springs did not cause their frame issue. I have spoken to Larry (Downsizing Makes Cents) and it was caused by the way they took that turn not from the Sumo Springs.

[@robertburns5145]

@@WaywardWaggs That’s great to hear because I’m buying them when we get our new fifth wheel hopefully in March.

[@TonyBenton0728]

I replaced the pull cable with a longer one . I made it myself.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Good idea

[@davidmccartney7577]

🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@RVCruisin]

We put a rope on the cable so I can pull and do jacks.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Good idea

[@texasproud3332]

I am sure gen Y hitch but definitely seems like a lot deal with to hitch seems there would have been a better design especially putting Leslie between the truck and rv

[@WaywardWaggs]

She is not between the truck and RV. The camera angle makes it appear that way but she is just outside the tailgate.

[@RobertHinkle-ju6iz]

Not the case with all Gen-y hitches, they have messed me up twice and I had to pay restocking fee return shipping fee and a custom design fee for which I did not see anything that was custom and still did not work. FYI I think they just charged the custom fee so they could add no returns on custom hitches nothing was custom on hitch. I give them exactly what tongue weight was and first one flex down so much hit bed second one does not flex at all and is as ruff as ride as the factory I replaced with, my wife says this gen-y hitch rides even more ruff than the factory I took off so not everybody has had the same experience with gen-y hitch. I am sure they make some good hitches but not in my case.

[@WaywardWaggs]

Sorry you had so many issues.

[@rogerkern]

If you didn’t have T-Rex arms it would be easier 🤣😂🤣😂

[@WaywardWaggs]

🤣

[@ATLJonathanH]

Leslie should not be standing under that RV while unhitching. Very dangerous!

[@WaywardWaggs]

The video angle doesn't show it well at all, but I'm off to the side closer to Dustin at the control panel. It does look like I'm still under the cap, but I'm not.

[@gdt5430]

What a pain in the butt that thing is, by time you got hitched I'd been hitched and gone down the road with my king pin fifthwheel. I don't need two people either, sorry just more trouble than it's worth in my opinion.

[@WaywardWaggs]

It doesn't "require" 2 people, that's just what worked best for us. For a little over a year, we have had a different hitch and still use both of us because that's what we prefer. Neither require both of us.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Seems like a lot of steps to hook up. Idk

[@WaywardWaggs]

It all goes way faster in real time. We had to slow it down for the video.