Posted 2008-11-21 8:50 AM (#95173) Subject: Bed Length Equation
Regular
Posts: 87 Location: Lavaca, Alabama
I used to read this board daily. And, if I remember correctly, Reg posted an equation concerning bed length and gooseneck length to figure out if you would have trouble turning, etc., with your particular truck and trailer combination. I'm getting ready to buy a new truck and I'd really like to double check that I won't have any problems. I tried to search for this info, but didn't come up with anything. I'm thinking it's been well over a year since I saw this. Can anyone help? Does Reg still post?
Posted 2008-11-21 12:26 PM (#95178 - in reply to #95173) Subject: RE: Bed Length Equation
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
I haven't seen a post by Reg in a coon's age. Too bad, really.
I suppose a person could come up with an equation using some geometry and trigonometry, but it seems to me you'd be just as well to get out a tape and measure a few things.
Measure from the ball on the tow vehicle to the furthest point on the back of the vehicle, such as the corner of the bumper. Then, measure from the hitch on the trailer to the closest part on the front of the trailer box under the gooseneck. If the measurement on the trailer is less than the measurement on the pickup (or close to it), there's a problem.
Posted 2008-11-30 5:51 PM (#95514 - in reply to #95173) Subject: RE: Bed Length Equation
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
Hi Bonnie - I'm pretty sure Reg was responding to my question about a girlfriend who was getting a new trailer and wanted to keep her longbed truck. She was also trying to decide between a 2-horse or 3-horse trailer. My shortbed truck/trailer combo barely squeaked into her driveway configuration, and we worried that with her longer truck bed she'd knock out the gate post. She sure didn't want to get the new trailer and find out she couldn't park it at her house! The way Reg explained it (and if I remember correctly) was that the distance between the gooseneck ball and the back wheels of the trailer are what determine your turn radius. My truck/trailer combo was shorter than her combo, so actually "cut" the corners more than hers. Does that make any sense at all? Hmmmm.....If I did a donut in my pasture and measured the inside circle where my tires went it would be a smaller radius than hers. If I measured the outside tire marks, they'd be smaller too. So, in her case it was easier to take her new, longer set-up into her tight driveway and not take out the gate post. Gawd, I miss Reg!
Posted 2008-12-01 11:38 AM (#95539 - in reply to #95173) Subject: RE: Bed Length Equation
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Another bed length issue that Reg addressed once was the difference in a extension on the turnover ball, or an extension on the hitch portion of the trailer. If you move the ball rearward in the bed, it will inturn move the trailer further away from the back of the cab when turned at a 90 degree turn. However if you buy an extension for the trailer you will not get the same results when in a 90 degree turn. I miss Reg's wisdom also, he always made you think, but the results were always he was right.
Bed Length Equation
