How to Determine if Short Bed Truck Has Clearance for Towing Gooseneck Trailer

Question:

I have a 2010 Silverado with 6.5foot bed. 3/4 ton And just picked up a gooseneck race trailer with 100foot width up front. Im concerned that there may be no way to make these two work together. I friend moved the trailer with his 5.5foot bed Dodge, and was obviously limited with turning. We kept an eagle eye on it. But this doesnt look like it will be much better. I imagine the hitch will put the ball at about 34inch or so from the rear glass. Anything that I am missing?

asked by: Ben W

Helpful Expert Reply:

In regards to truck clearance, this isn't so easy to predict. There's a pretty big turning clearance difference between a 5-1/2 foot bed and a 6-1/2 foot bed so there is hope. It will take measuring on your part as every trailer and gooseneck/truck combo will be different. I have attached a formula below.

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from the gooseneck ball to the truck cab
B = Offset (if an offset ball was used)
C = Width of the nose of the trailer divided by 2.

I'd plug in your numbers but I am pretty sure you didn't mean to type 100 feet width up front.

expert reply by: Jameson C