Gen Y Hitch Review: Does It Really Reduce RV Frame Stress & Improve Ride Quality?

If you’ve spent any time researching fifth wheel towing upgrades, you’ve probably heard strong opinions about Gen Y hitches.

Some people swear by them. Some manufacturers warn against them. And for a long time, even we had questions.

So when Josh the RV Nerd from Bish’s RV was invited inside Gen Y’s factory to see the data, the testing, and the manufacturing process firsthand, we jumped at the chance to get real answers, not marketing claims, not rumors, not internet hearsay.

What he found completely changed the conversation.

Let’s break down what Gen Y hitches actually do, what the data shows, and what every RV owner needs to understand before installing one.

Table of Contents

What is a Gen Y Hitch
Who is Gen Y
The Big Question
Real-World Test Data
Rumor
Ride Quality
Manufacturing
Should You Get One

What Is a Gen Y Hitch (and Why Are They Different)?

Gen Y is best known for their torsion-flex fifth wheel and gooseneck pin boxes. Unlike a traditional fixed steel pin box, Gen Y’s design uses:

In simple terms, a Gen Y hitch doesn’t just connect your truck to your RV, it acts like suspension between them.

Who is Gen Y (and why they exist)

GEN-Y didn’t start as a big corporate hitch brand, it started with a working owner who towed for a living and got tired of swapping hitches for different trailers. Founder Carl Borkholder built an adjustable solution in his garage using receiver tubes welded together, and it quickly spread through word of mouth as others asked for the same thing. GEN-Y officially turned that demand into a business in 2012, built around heavy-duty towing solutions for people who rely on their equipment every day.

The Big Question: Do Gen Y Hitches Reduce or Increase Frame Stress?

For years, the industry narrative has been: “Those hitches change the geometry and put more stress on the RV frame.”

Sounds scary. And it’s been repeated by multiple RV manufacturers. But here’s the problem:

Josh realized nobody was actually showing the data. So Gen Y did.

The Real-World Test Data (This Is the Important Part)

Independent third-party engineers did the following:

The Result?

Let that sink in.

Not “a little better.”
Not “about the same.”
Less than half.

But Doesn’t It Change the Geometry?

This is where the confusion started.

Standard Gen Y Pin Boxes:

• Are built to match factory pin box dimensions exactly
• Same distances
• Same angles
• Same leverage points

You are NOT changing the stress geometry of the RV. You are simply adding torsion damping in the middle.

Where the Rumor Came From (Brinkley Explained)

Brinkley RV originally used a custom, longer Gen Y pin box on their Model G and Model Z.

Yes, a longer pin box does change stress geometry. But here’s the twist, even with the longer pin box, the Gen Y still reduced overall stress compared to a standard pin box.

Brinkley also reinforced their front caps and upper decks heavily, which is why they officially support Gen Y from the factory.

Why Ride Quality Matters More Than Most People Realize

Every RV gets beaten up from two directions:

1. From the road through the axles and suspension
2. From the truck through the hitch

Most people only think about suspension upgrades.

But the hitch is the other major impact entry point.

If you want fewer broken parts, fewer leaks, fewer failures, and fewer shop visits, reducing shock transfer matters.

A lot.

Inside Gen Y’s Manufacturing: Why These Things Are Built Different

One thing that stood out in Josh’s tour wasn’t just the machines, it was the mindset. GEN-Y publicly anchors its mission in stewardship and positive influence, with core values that emphasize customer service, teamwork, and purpose-driven work. That matters because quality isn’t just a spec sheet, it’s a culture decision that shows up in process control, consistency, and how problems get solved.

After touring the entire Gen Y facility, and here’s what stood out:

• ✅ Climate-controlled material storage
• ✅ Laser-cut steel and aluminum
• ✅ Robotic welding for perfect repeatability
• ✅ In-house machining of:
  • Hitch balls
  • Hitch pins
  • Structural components
• ✅ Shot blasting, primer, powder coat, and baked finishes
• ✅ Every product tested to failure (up to 200,000 PSI)
• ✅ Third-party verification of strength and durability

This is not a “buy parts and assemble them” operation. This is real manufacturing.

So… What’s the Catch? (Let’s Talk Warranty)

Here’s the honest, professional truth: most RV manufacturers do NOT currently cover Gen Y pin boxes under frame warranty.

Exceptions:

• Brinkley
• Grand Design
  (Alliance is working on it)

Why This Matters

Even if the hitch had nothing to do with a future problem, a manufacturer could argue:

“You modified the RV. Warranty denied.”

Even if the issue is a rear window leak.
Even if it’s nowhere near the hitch.

Is that fair? Probably not.
Is it possible? Yes.

So Should You Get One?

Here’s the simple answer:

The Data Says:

• ✅ Better ride quality
• ✅ Less stress on the RV
• ✅ Less shock to the truck
• ✅ Better long-term durability potential

The Reality Says:

• ⚠️ You may be giving the manufacturer a reason to deny structural warranty claims

The Smart Buyer Strategy

If you want zero warranty risk:

• Wait until your structural warranty expires
  OR
• Buy a brand that officially supports Gen Y

If you prioritize:

• Ride quality
• Protection of your investment
• Towing comfort
• Reduced long-term wear

You’ll probably never want to go back to a standard pin box.

Final Verdict from Josh the RV Nerd

GEN-Y’s story is rooted in solving real towing frustration, but what matters most is whether the product improves the towing experience without creating new structural problems. That’s why the test data Josh reviewed is the centerpiece of this conversation.

“I was wrong. The data changed my mind. These do what they claim, and they do it extremely well.”- Josh the RV Nerd

Sometimes the best answer is letting the engineering and testing speak for itself.