Will the Reese Goosebox Clear the Cab On a Short Bed Truck

Updated 06/16/2025 | Published 10/01/2020

Question:

I have a 2018 Ram 3500 MegaCab SRW short bed truck and a 2021 Grand Design 303RLS fifth Wheel. My truck has the factory puck system and I am currently using Pullrite’s rail system which installs in the four pucks and a 2700 Pullrite SuperGlide which mounts on the rail system. I am thinking of switching to a gooseneck I also have a gooseneck horse trailer which I use the Curt Ball and safety chain kit I purchased from etrailer.com. My question is will my front cap of my fifth wheel clear the back cab of my truck. With the Pullrite SuperGlide I can easily go 90 degrees with plenty of cab and bed clearance. It would be nice to go with one towing system and sell the Pullrite. I attached a current picture of my truck and fifth wheel. Thanks

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

The Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter part # RP85FR is an excellent option to help free up space in the truck bed, eliminate having to move in/out a heavy hitch, as well as making the hookup process much easier. It can be used on both short and long bed trucks. There are many who use it on both. That said, with short bed applications you need to be more conscious of your turning clearance but that is about as specific as I can be as the amount of turning clearance you'll have will vary by truck and trailer combo and not something we can predict.

It looks like you might have come across this info on our site previously and I know it would be great for us to be able to say yes, trailer x will work with truck y using product z but it's simply not possible. The best option you have to ensure this would be measuring using the formula below.

(A + B) - C = Clearance

A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab
B = Distance from pin box connection to front of trailer
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)

expert reply by: Conner L

Martin

6/16/2025

Hello Conner, could you please explain the spots needed to get the correct measurements? in your formula. i am wanting to switch from a pullrite OEX superlite with the funnel. to a Reese goose box 20K hitch. I would sure appreciate any assistance you can give. Martin,