Will Installing Reese Goose Box Allow for Turning Clearance with Short Bed Truck

Question:

I own a ford-F-350-crew cab with short box. It is equipped with Bandw underbody hitch with goose ball. I have a 2018- gran design fifth wheel . Model 303-rls. If i change pin box to the reese 94623 will i be able to turn without hitting rear glass or cab of truck. Maybe not 90 degrees but decently. From the center of ball to rear window cab about 38-39 inches.

asked by: Laurent D

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Reese Goose Box # RP85FR referenced in your question, which is designed to replace the Lippert 1621, 1621HD and 0719 pin boxes, will not provide any additional clearance for short bed trucks above what the factory pin box offers. With the Goose Box installed, you will likely still have trouble making tight turns with your short bed F-350, but there is a formula that can help you confirm this.

To find out if your truck will have enough clearance to make tight turns, you will simply plug in a few numbers to this formula:

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the gooseneck ball to the truck cab
B = Offset used, like if you used a Offset Extension Ball # 19308
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2.

Otherwise, if you have the B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch installed on your truck, I instead recommend the B&W Companion Slider # BWRVK3400. This 5th-Wheel hitch will mount directly to the gooseneck ball hole and allows you to tow your 5th-wheel trailer without having to replace the pin box. It has a towing weight capacity of 20,000 pounds and the slider will give you 12 inches of front to back travel for making tight turns.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this product that you can also check out.