New Pin Box recommendations

[GreyGhost]

we have a 2020 Montana 3121RL and wondering if anyone as put on a new Curt 18K air ride pin box and if they are happy with it. Someone suggested it was much better ride and putting on air bags. Just looking for advice!!

 

[jwengermt]

We installed the Reese Box with the BW rollover ball hitch. We have definitely liked it and it does smooth out the ride substantially. Have had no problems with it. Nice not to have the 5th wheel adapter in the bed.

 

[PhilipMc]

We have a 2017 3611RL Legacy and installed the Curt 18K air ride pin box about 10,000 miles ago. So far very happy with it. It really seems to absorb the roughness of the roads instead of transferring it to the rv. The only disadvantage is that every once in a while you need to add air to it and when you backup to hook on it angles the hitch instead of being level.

 

[Ttman]

we have a 2020 Montana 3121RL and wondering if anyone as put on a new Curt 18K air ride pin box and if they are happy with it. Someone suggested it was much better ride and putting on air bags. Just looking for advice!!

I would recommend the Gen-Y Executive, we have the 5th wheel version, but they also have a goose neck version. It’s a torsion flex design without the need to air up airbags, etc. We love ours and will always have one on our 5th wheels.

 

[Lloydt512]

I installed the Gen-Y Executive hitch on our 2022 3121RL. I loved getting the 5th wheel hitch out of the bed of the truck, giving me a useful truck again, and hitching up is 2-3 times easier and a more positive connection. You never have to do a pull test with a Gen-Y. I’m 83 and I can easily remove the ball and chain connections from the bed of the truck if I need a completely empty bed for traveling. I agree that the ride is smoother but I really made the change for the items mentioned above.

 

[MandK]

We changed our 3121 to the Gen-y pin box (not the gooseneck) and were amazed. They say the gooseneck version is great too. (I don’t care about the hitch in my truck, I haven’t needed it out of the truck in 4 years.)
Our new rig came with the Curt air ride. Now, our new rig is a whole lot bigger and heavier than the 3121 so not a good comparison and I don’t like to say bad things about products that I don’t have good luck with because it may be just particular to our rig, but we are getting another Gen-Y in the spring for the new rig.

 

[buck119fa]

Do the research, watch videos, check the forums, and of course ask the questions like you did. You'll get a bunch of different responses on a bunch of different products. If you still have any frame warranty left (based on your year) there are only a couple out there that Lippert/Keystone will still warranty for any frame problems. If you don't have that warranty left (like myself) then anything is game at that point.
That being said....
I did the research and looked at the Curt and the Reese and ended up with the Gen-Y 5th wheel hitch for our 3121 (not the goose neck). What I didn't want was another point of failure with the airbag. May or May not happen but one less thing I needed to check and mess with to get the air right and keep it that way. The Gen-Y was a great addition, no complaints since I installed it about 15k miles ago. It has definitely improved the ride, we don't find things all over while traveling, less of a beating on the truck for sure. I worked with Gen-Y direct to make sure I bought exactly what I needed. They were Great and very responsive to my questions. I didn't get the feeling that they were just trying to sell a product. The price was under what other places were selling the same one for so I just bought direct from them.
Good luck with your decisions, Let us know what you end up deciding on, and Safe Travels!

 

[Mikelff]

we have a 2020 Montana 3121RL and wondering if anyone as put on a new Curt 18K air ride pin box and if they are happy with it. Someone suggested it was much better ride and putting on air bags. Just looking for advice!!

Curt air ride and Lippert air ride are very similar designs. Most models you can hardly tell the difference. That said, I have a Lippert Air Ride pin box and was well worth the Money IMO. Really dampens road shock and and vertical movement. Also helps with chucking (horizontal movement) . The Trail Air pin box says it also dampens chucking more than the Air Ride pin box through use of hard rubber compression in verticle movement. Unfortunately , a Trail air was not available to fit my rig at the time I bought Air Ride. You might look at the Trail Air if Curt makes one, or the Lippert Trail air, that offers more chucking, vertical dampening. I wouldn’t hesitate in getting any of those pin boxes installed. As for air bags, I’m assuming for your tow vehicle, I would highly recommend those as well. I have both. Air bags level your tow vehicle, take some pressure off your springs, and soften your ride. They do nothing for your GVRWR rating. I have Air Ride brand with a remote pressure control. This gives you the ability to adjust your ride while on the fly. Love it. Hope this helps.

 

[MandK]

I just saw, coincidentally, BTBRV two latest videos, just put a Gen-y gooseneck style, on his brookstone. I’m glad to hear he hates putting air in his goose box as much as I hate constantly putting air in and out of my air ride. Adding air twice and letting air out twice in 3 days because of temperature changes on our way to Florida trying to get that thing to quit chucking
Anyway, you might want to watch it.

 

[Todd & Mary]

Gen Y will void your frame warranty! I had frame flex issue on my 3761 and it was covered by keystone. Had I had a Gen Y I would have had to pay the 15k repair myself. I don't think I am willing to do that!

 

[Ttman]

Gen Y will void your frame warranty! I had frame flex issue on my 3761 and it was covered by keystone. Had I had a Gen Y I would have had to pay the 15k repair myself. I don't think I am willing to do that!

Respectfully your post is not a factual statement for the advice they are asking for. Their camper as listed is a 2020 so they should be beyond any mostly worthless frame warranty anyway. Secondly if they had an original warranty or an extended warranty from a third party, its not an automatic reason to disqualify. Thirdly, Gen-Y, Lippert & Brinkley did third party testing and even though Gen-Y stuff did better then all of the Lippert owned Curt, Reese, etc. junk Lippert still wanted changes which Gen-Y has incorporated. After the testing and the test data has been gathered showing lower stress on the trailer & Truck its a harder argument to deny a frame issue because of Gen-Y. Lippert and manufacturers are looking for any reason to not stand behind their products and cover poor craftsmanship from Lippert and the factory, but things change. It might have been that way for you when you purchased, or maybe your just going off of rumors or things you heard instead of getting the answer directly. Unless you have specifically asked on 12/11/25 when you posted, you don’t know if your giving good advice to someone asking.

 

[J10er]

I have a 2011 36ft Montana with a TrailAir airbag hitch. I think Lippert / Curt hitches are the same thing, mine is rated at 21k I believe. My ride quality is outstanding. I use the Pullrite 4500 SuperGlide auto-slider, also. The air ride bag and shock absorber smooth out the ride for the truck (2025 Silverado High Country Duramax standard bed), and smoothes the ride for the trailer. Things don’t bounce around inside.
My trailer has the standard front landing legs motor driven, I don’t have the 6 point hydraulic system. I developed a system to un-hitch - re-hitch that involves deflating the airbag, so that I don’t have to raise the trailer real high to clear the SuperGlide plate. It works for me. Re-inflating after hookup takes just a couple minutes using the little battery operated inflator. Saves wear and tear on the mechanical landing leg apparatus. The two small chains support the lower ‘jaw’ when deflated and disconnected from the truck. No issues with chains and hitch plate as the whole SuperGlide head pivots with the trailer pin box. Works for me.

 

[Todd & Mary]

I have researched the pinbox issue thoroughly and posted Lipperts fact sheet on using other than Lippert approved pinbox's. I do agree with the poor workmanship of a lot of rigs these days. I was a victim of frame flex and although my 2021 3761FL was 11 months past the frame warranty, Keystone covered the repairs completely. Which I am very grateful for. I will be upgrading my rig with a Curt Flex-air 21k pinbox in January to try to smooth the ride out. Similar to the hitch J10er installed. I am curious if anyone had a claim for frame damage with a non approved pinbox and it was covered under warranty?
Below is Lipperts document on the pinbox issue. for your information.
Rev: 03.10.2021 Page 1 CCD-0004318As a supplier of components to the RV industry, safety, education and customer satisfaction are our primary concerns. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (574) 537-8900 or by email at customerservice@lci1.com. Self-help tips, technical documents, product videos and a training class schedule are available at lippert.com or by downloading the MyLCI app.TI-142TOWING PRODUCTSREESE GOOSE BOX REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES
The Reese Goose Box (305094) (Fig. 1) is an acceptable aftermarket replacement for LCI pin boxes 1621* and 1716. When installed properly, this does NOT void the Lippert Limited Frame Warranty. Note: The Reese Goose Box (305094) is a replacement for the Lippert Pin Box 1621* and 1716 only. Replacing pin boxes 1621* or 1716 with any other gooseneck except Reese Goose Box (305094) will void the Lippert Limited Frame Warranty.*Note: This does not include the 1621HD.Note: Reese Goose Box (305094) cannot be installed on the Space Saver Upper Deck chassis.Fig. 1