How to Determine the Max Width of a Trailer a Short Bed Truck Can Tow and Make 90 Turn

Published 05/01/2015

Question:

Looking at purchasing the Anderson Ultimate 5th whell hitch. My concern is that on my Chevy 2002 3/4 ton, crew cab, short bed 6.5 ft that I will not have enough clearance to do a 90 degree turn. My measurements are: cab to BandW flip over ball is 34 Ultimate hitch offset = 5.5 king pin distance to front of trailer = 4 Total = 43.5 I realize the shape of the trailer can effect clearance, but I have not picked up the trailer yet. It is 215 Puma 253FBS. Is it possible to do a try and buy on the Ultimate hitch? Do you agree with my calculations and agree a 90inch turn would not be possible with the Puma? Thank you? Dan

asked by: Dan D

Expert Reply:

Here's the formula to use to determine if you have enough clearance to make a 90 degree turn with a gooseneck hitch installed:

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

Let's plug in your numbers to determine would be the max trailer width your trailer can be.

34+9.5-X = 4 (the minimum clearance you will need to have is 4 inches)

X would be 39.5. Since this is half of the width of the nose you could tow a trailer with a max width of 79 inches.

If you determine you don't have enough clearance instead of the Andersen you would want the B and W Companion Slider Hitch part # BWRVK3400 that will install directly to your current B and W gooseneck hitch. This would be your best option honestly, and it won't require any measurements to determine if it will fit.