Turning Capabilities with a short bed GM truck using #4900/#4915 OEX

OEX’s unique base design let’s you decide which coupler position may be best for you!  OEX Series of hitches are best suited for 8' long beds with the coupler installed in the FORWARD position, giving the cab-to-trailer clearance needed.

However, we know that a lot of folks will want to use an OEX Series hitch in their short bed, because they are lightweight, less expensive and are easy to install without the need for tools.

So below we have provided a few visuals for you to decide if you want to compromise and get a reduced turning radius.  Note we are demonstrating the turning radius with two types of trailers, squared and rounded/sheared corners.  The angles given here are the point at which the trailer will make contact with the cab.

Of course, SuperGlide is still the absolute BEST, worry-free SHORT BED SOLUTION for any short bed truck.

OEX Series Super 5th and SuperLite using a trailer w/ Squared Corners (showing degree of trailer-to-cab at point of contact)
Here we see the OEX Super 5th in its standard, FORWARD position.
When the coupler is installed in its REARWARD position, OEX Super 5th and SuperLite give you more trailer-to-cab clearance (rearward offset) than any comparable hitch on the market!  SuperLite's King Pin Adapter gives you the most clearance in the rearward position by giving you an additional 3.5" clearance.
OEX Series SuperLite using a trailer w/ Extended King Pin Box with Rounded Corners (showing degree of trailer-to-cab at point of contact)
Even in the FORWARD position, OEX SuperLIte is the clear choice for the most cab-to-trailer clearance.
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Is there a better option than OEX Series hitches for SHORT BED trucks with pucks? 

The downside of any hitch install that moves the hitch away from the center of axle is less than ideal because it creates a rearward weight transfer and creates a "lever arm" type situation.  The ideal way to tow is to have all the weight centered over the axle where it belongs.

 

If you install OEX in its FORWARD position over center of axle, you get a horrible turning radius with a short bed truck as we've illustrated in some of the first images above.  You actually get less of a turning radius than you'd get with a travel trailer!

If you install the coupler in its REARWARD position, you're putting it 4" behind center of axle, and that does give you more degrees of turn as we've shown in the second and third picture above, and even more with SuperLite with its King Pin Adapter installed in its rearward position, for a total of 7.5".

So, the best option, if you decide to purchase an OEX Series fifth wheel hitch for your short bed truck, is clearly SuperLite...giving you the most cab-to-trailer clearance.

 

So why did we make an OEX Series line of hitches?  PullRite always gives you options!

If you need a lighter weight hitch that's less expensive for your truck with factory pucks, then an OEX is absolutely perfect for you!  gm truck has the widest distance between cab and center of axle and the lifting weight is only XX lbs.

comparison chart  Super 5th oex, superlite oex, superglide, bw and curt

 

But for a truly ideal and worry-free solution, with even more turning radius for your short bed truck, the solution is clearly SuperGlide.  Check out #4500 SuperGlide for GM trucks with factory pucks (right).