5.0 TA With F150 Short Box

[Helihawkins]

Hello,


I'm interested in hearing experiences with the 5.0 TA and F150 Short Beds (5' 7") using the Andersen Ultimate. I have a 2021, but dimensions are similar to the past generation.



I have spoken to Trademasters in Chilliwack about the combination and they assure me it will work... but I'm interested in real world experiences with turning angles, possible cab contact, etc... taking into account the contours and height of the 5.0.


I have read the towing guidelines but they don't factor in the forward slope of the cab on the F150 and the contours of the trailer.


If it's going to be a big problem we don't want to buy a new tow vehicle, so we will look into the 21NE instead.


Thanks for any help!

[Fox hunt]

i have a 2017 5.0 and a short bed F150 also 2017 And I use the Anderson hitch with the turn over ball attachment (not the rails although people really like those too) all works perfectly trade masters did my install.

[Helihawkins]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

i have a 2017 5.0 and a short bed F150 also 2017 And I use the Anderson hitch with the turn over ball attachment (not the rails although people really like those too) all works perfectly trade masters did my install.

Thanks for the reply! How tight an angle can you turn without contacting the cab? I’m guessing it obviously has not been a problem under normal circumstances?

[Wacreech]

I have a 2014 F-150 with a 2021 5.0. Although it hasn’t really been a problem, I cannot turn 90 degrees without the 5.0 hitting the cab of my TV. The only time that is a factor is when backing up. I would say no problem and my F-150 Ecoboost is a great TV.

[Helihawkins]

Originally Posted by Wacreech

I have a 2014 F-150 with a 2021 5.0. Although it hasn’t really been a problem, I cannot turn 90 degrees without the 5.0 hitting the cab of my TV. The only time that is a factor is when backing up. I would say no problem and my F-150 Ecoboost is a great TV.

Thanks! Is that with the Andersen hitch?

[Wacreech]

Yes, it is with an Andersen rail mount hitch.

[Centex]

FYI / FWIW a 'short box' F150, I don't know what hitch (pics by ETI from a post on this forum, I failed to save the link )

[Helihawkins]

Originally Posted by Centex

FYI a 'short box' F150, I don't know what hitch (pics by ETI from a previous post on this forum, I failed to save the link )

Thanks, ya I’ve seen those pictures but was unsure what hitch he was using and whether or not it was in the standard location?

[LoonCall]

2020 5.0, F150 short bed, Andersen rail mount. It is a satisfactory combination, but I cannot do a 90 degree. Once I could not get into a tight campsite in Oregon because of the limitation. I did gently touch the cab. That is the only time it was a problem. I agree the F150 with 2.7 EB is a great TV.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Helihawkins

Thanks, ya I’ve seen those pictures but was unsure what hitch he was using and whether or not it was in the standard location?

Perhaps one of the 'old timers' can fill-in that info, it's my understanding the pictured rig is well known to many, used by Reace to tour Escape gatherings.

[Helihawkins]

Originally Posted by LoonCall

2020 5.0, F150 short bed, Andersen rail mount. It is a satisfactory combination, but I cannot do a 90 degree. Once I could not get into a tight campsite in Oregon because of the limitation. I did gently touch the cab. That is the only time it was a problem. I agree the F150 with 2.7 EB is a great TV.

That’s one of my worries with the setup, but I guess nothing a little more careful campsite planning can’t fix. Since the truck is new I will be keeping it a long time still, but hopefully keeping the trailer longer, so if I can live with it on a short box for a while I will get a long box truck next time.

[john o]

I don't tow with an F-150, but another 5 foot bed. I have changed to a Curt 15k sliding hitch mount for those times when I really need to turn sharp and don't want to hit the cab. Yes there is a small dent that only I see from before. My hitch point is regularly about 4 inches behind the axle in the 5' bed.

John

[Helihawkins]

Originally Posted by john o

I don't tow with an F-150, but another 5 foot bed. I have changed to a Curt 15k sliding hitch mount for those times when I really need to turn sharp and don't want to hit the cab. Yes there is a small dent that only I see from before. My hitch point is regularly about 4 inches behind the axle in the 5' bed.

John

Thanks for the info! I was hoping to avoid a slider to keep my payload up a bit!

[Fox hunt]

If I turn very tight when backing and if the ground is uneven it can touch my truck at around 90 degrees its best not to go that tight anyway we try to avoid doing so. But it's really not an issue for us we wanted a shorter truck as its my main driving vehicle.

[Helihawkins]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

If I turn very tight when backing and if the ground is uneven it can touch my truck at around 90 degrees its best not to go that tight anyway we try to avoid doing so. But it's really not an issue for us we wanted a shorter truck as its my main driving vehicle.

So I did some measuring...


The 2021 F150 B&W Turnover Ball Hitch ball mounts 42 5/8" from the rear end of the bed. If I add a B&W 4" Offset Gooseneck Ball, the Andersen Ultimate 3220, and run the Kingpin forward on the Andersen Coupler, my kingpin distance to mid window cab is roughly 32" up to about 33" near the upper part of the cab due to its forward slope.


According to the 5.0 towing compatibility guidelines this should give me roughly 58-61 degrees of turning angle... using a 4" offset ball... but from the sounds of it you guys are possibly getting more than that without the offset ball? Are the guidelines conservative?