Determining Cab Clearance with Reese Goose Box and 2020 GMC Sierra 2500

Question:

Have seen where an offset ball could be used with a standard box. Just looked at 2020 2500 GMC standard box with pucks. 46 inches. Glass to ball. 37 inches ball to tailgate. 2018 2500 standard box. 38 inches glass to ball 43 inches. Ball to tailgate. 2020. Short box is about 5 inches longer Than a 2018.. Will the goosebox work with a 2020 standard bed

asked by: Ron G

Expert Reply:

The 46 inch cab to gooseneck ball measurement that you mentioned for the new short bed 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 is quite a bit longer than on previous models. There is a decent chance that you will have sufficient cab clearance when making sharper turns using a standard Goose Box like the Reese # RP85FR that you were looking at.

With that being said cab clearance is also affected by the trailer's width and nose design. If you already have a trailer you can use half of its width as part of a formula to determine with certainty if you will be able to make a 90 degree turn.

The clearance formula is as follows:

(A + B) - C = Clearance

A = Distance from center of gooseneck ball to truck cab (you would use 46 inches here)
B = Offset (use zero here if using a standard gooseneck ball or the amount of offset provided if using an offset unit)
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)

If your clearance number comes out to at least 4 inches, you will be able to safely execute a 90 degree turn without any cab interference.