Reese Goose Box

[Wileykid]

Question if anyone knows what the approximate lateral (sideways) articulation of the Reese Goose box is. I am looking at converting to the Reese, and although I know it should be plenty being a gooseneck, I wanted someone who has one and could say. Reason is when I back up into my driveway, which is approximately 7-8° uphill, because of the small street, while backing in, the trailer at one point in the turn wants to be over the Companion hitch limit of 3° lateral before I can start straightening out and reducing the side angle. I had a Reese M5, which is about 7° lateral, but really do not like that hitch. Gen-Y has said they have a 28° lateral, but have not heard back on what Reese says. Obviously the max I should see will probably be 5-6°, but I love to over think it, and want to know before I pull the trigger.

 

[ajg617]

Hi Mark,
I have a similar situation only downhill into my driveway off of a narrow street. With the LB turning radius, it is a challenge. I've never measured the lateral offset - I'm assuming you mean the angular difference between the pinbox and the truck (bed rails for instance). It is significant though - not because of the driveway but because of the entrance to my street off of a cross street - a hard right going from a downhill to an immediate uphill so there is quite a bit of difference between trailer nose down on access street and the truck nose up and turning onto my street.

I don't have measurements but when I pulled it to Elkhart last April for flex, I mounted a dash cam on the rear window so I could watch pinbox movement before and after. I'll have a look at the videos and see if it provides anything of value - won't be a precise measurement but might give you an idea. Also, based upon some of the sites I've stayed at, it's a fair amount. Sorry, but no concrete measurements though.

John

EDIT: The videos I took actually show lateral (if I'm understanding you correctly) movement better, but here are three snaps from some videos that might give you an idea. The first two are on a country road upstate NY while pulling straight on. The last is me pulling out of my driveway - much worse making the turn on the other end of the street.

 

[Wileykid]

Thanks, that last picture helps. I have an old picture that shows the angle that I deal with. The picture is just before the trailer going uphill, and I can start straightening out, that un-sculpted nose comes down a bit. Will be getting the Gen-Y 5" offset for my short bed.

Picture is with a Reese M5 hitch, and using a Sidewinder pinbox.

 

[ajg617]

Thanks, that last picture helps. I have an old picture that shows the angle that I deal with.

You have a bit more of an up angle than I do down at least into the driveway. Unfortunately, I overwrote the dash cam on the return trip so I don't have the pics.

 

[K Noordzy]

You are pivoting on the ball so your limits will be the trailer hitting the side of the truck. That is why Gen-Y is saying they say 28 degrees.

 

[ajg617]

28° from the center of the ball (which is depressed in the bed) only buys you 13ish inches elevation at the side of the bed above the center of the ball. My ball is definitely more than 13" below the rails. Simple Trig. Tanθ = opp/adj. You know theta (28°) and assume adjacent is 24" (center of ball to side of bed). I believe they are referencing the degrees available before the bottom of the receiver makes contact with the shank of the ball. My utility trailer lifts a wheel at about 15° because of the design of the receiver and thickness of the shank. Easy way to measure is to put a goose ball in the box, rotate it to the side as far as it will go, and use a protractor to measure the angle of rotation.

@Wileykid once the snow allows me to get near the rig, I'll put my spare ball in the goosebox and measure the angle. Might be April the way this winter is going.

 

[Wileykid]

28° from the center of the ball (which is depressed in the bed) only buys you 13ish inches elevation at the side of the bed above the center of the ball. My ball is definitely more than 13" below the rails. Simple Trig. Tanθ = opp/adj. You know theta (28°) and assume adjacent is 24" (center of ball to side of bed). I believe they are referencing the degrees available before the bottom of the receiver makes contact with the shank of the ball. My utility trailer lifts a wheel at about 15° because of the design of the receiver and thickness of the shank. Easy way to measure is to put a goose ball in the box, rotate it to the side as far as it will go, and use a protractor to measure the angle of rotation.

@Wileykid once the snow allows me to get near the rig, I'll put my spare ball in the goosebox and measure the angle. Might be April the way this winter is going.

Thanks John, I bought and put on the Reese goose box yesterday. With the trailer hooked up, it looked like plenty of angle. I should have put it on the ball before mounting the goose box on the trailer, but didn't. I like your idea of just the ball, and I have one from the goose ball kit I have for the truck. Will do that later today. I only need around 5-6° at worse, and from what I saw, should have that and more.

With the Gen-Y 5" offset ball, which sits about 2" higher than a regular ball, I have 9" of bed rail to trailer clearance.

@K Noordzy thank you for the info, makes sense. I was concerned that with whatever lip that was on the receiver, it could limit it.

 

[AndrewP0321]

Hi Mark,
I have a similar situation only downhill into my driveway off of a narrow street. With the LB turning radius, it is a challenge. I've never measured the lateral offset - I'm assuming you mean the angular difference between the pinbox and the truck (bed rails for instance). It is significant though - not because of the driveway but because of the entrance to my street off of a cross street - a hard right going from a downhill to an immediate uphill so there is quite a bit of difference between trailer nose down on access street and the truck nose up and turning onto my street.

I don't have measurements but when I pulled it to Elkhart last April for flex, I mounted a dash cam on the rear window so I could watch pinbox movement before and after. I'll have a look at the videos and see if it provides anything of value - won't be a precise measurement but might give you an idea. Also, based upon some of the sites I've stayed at, it's a fair amount. Sorry, but no concrete measurements though.

John

EDIT: The videos I took actually show lateral (if I'm understanding you correctly) movement better, but here are three snaps from some videos that might give you an idea. The first two are on a country road upstate NY while pulling straight on. The last is me pulling out of my driveway - much worse making the turn on the other end of the street.
View attachment 740490

View attachment 740491View attachment 740492

Do you have these videos still? I would to compare the slight movement I see on mine! Hoping it’s normal flex.

 

[ajg617]

Do you have these videos still? I would to compare the slight movement I see on mine! Hoping it’s normal flex.

I should still have them. Are you concerned about flex or lateral offset? The lateral offset in the pictures above are really how much the GooseBox rotates on the ball itself side-to-side during turns and from road imperfections while underway.

 

[AndrewP0321]

I should still have them. Are you concerned about flex or lateral offset? The lateral offset in the pictures above are really how much the GooseBox rotates on the ball itself side-to-side during turns and from road imperfections while underway.

Flex. I know there is designed and inherent flew of the frame built into the system, but, as a new fifth wheeler I’m trying to build my knowledge of what I’m seeing. Is it normal movement or excessive.

 

[ajg617]

Flex. I know there is designed and inherent flew of the frame built into the system, but, as a new fifth wheeler I’m trying to build my knowledge of what I’m seeing. Is it normal movement or excessive.

The videos won't show you anything. My trailer is within spec when statically measuring flex and it is sitting still. On the road under dynamic road conditions, I can guarantee you that it far exceeded the static measurements as I would expect. I only took the videos to view the side to side rocking of the trailer while driving to deal with suspension issues.

 

[AndrewP0321]

The videos won't show you anything. My trailer is within spec when statically measuring flex and it is sitting still. On the road under dynamic road conditions, I can guarantee you that it far exceeded the static measurements as I would expect. I only took the videos to view the side to side rocking of the trailer while driving to deal with suspension issues.

The videos will definitely show me what I’m looking for. I sent you a direct message.

 

[ajg617]

The videos will definitely show me what I’m looking for. I sent you a direct message.

As I explained in my response, the videos will not show you anything meaningful for your rig. Sorry, but I won't share the videos and insert myself into the middle of the overblown social media frame flex agenda some have taken. I have a great relationship with Grand Design and will not risk compromising that.