Does Gen-Y Nomad 5th Wheel To Gooseneck Hitch Adapter Work On Uneven Ground?

Updated 12/22/2025 | Published 12/03/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Gen-Y Hitch Nomad 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - 1621,1116, 1716 - 30K GTW - 6.5K TW

(4)

$749.95

Gen-Y Hitch Nomad 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - Lippert Rhino - 30K GTW - 6.5K TW

(4)

$749.95

Safety Chain with 2 Hooks for Gen-Y 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - 84" Long - 26,000 lbs

(185)

$100.95

Question:

Sometimes we camp on Forest Service pads that aren’t very level. Does the auto-latch on the Nomad still grab the ball reliably if the angle is a little off? Not sure which lippert pin box I have but it's a common one I think.

asked by: Linda

Expert Reply:

Linda, the Nomad’s coupler is an auto-latching 2-5/16 inch gooseneck, and it’s designed to grab the ball the moment the weight settles onto it. Slight unevenness doesn’t hurt anything - as long as the ball enters the throat of the coupler, the latch snaps shut on its own. No climbing up, no holding a jaw open, no “perfect” alignment required.

This will definitely be a bit easier to latch and unlatch than a 5th wheel hitch; you also don't need to reach over the bed rail or climb into the truck bed, just pull a cable release on the pin box.

What truck and trailer do you have, Linda? And can you check for a label/sticker on your pin box? If not, I've attached a help article to check out so you can find the pin box model. If you have something common like the Lippert 1621, 1116, 1716, you'll use the # GY57ND; if you have the Lippert Rhino, use # GY37ND. You'll also want to grab safety chains like # GY49GR.

expert reply by: Andrew N

Linda

12/22/2025

thank you Andrew, Good to know. I do a lot of boondocking and uneven spots are pretty common for us. Sounds like it shouldn’t be a deal breaker then.

Andrew N.

12/22/2025

@Linda Exactly, Linda. A little uneven ground isn’t an issue. As long as the ball makes it into the coupler, the latch will do its job. I’d just recommend taking it slow on really twisted sites and doing a quick visual check before towing off, which is good practice with any hitch setup.