Hitches for the towing the 5.0 TA

[RicVic]

Is anyone towing the Escape 5.0 TA with a Ford F150 Supercrew 4X4 with the 5.5 foot bed and if so, which fifth wheel hitch are you using. I understand from Jolly Jerry there is a new hitch that is very light and easy to install and remove from the truck bed. Any info would be appreciated.

[Scuba55]

I have a RAM, 6.4 bed. My hitch is the Anderson Ultimate, it only weighs 40 lbs. I like it and always recommend it. If you're looking for a easy to handle hitch, the Anderson would be a good choice. I previously used a Reese with a slider, it weighs 150 lbs, and hated removing and installing it. Good luck in your selection.

[Jim Bennett]

Hi RicVic, and welcome to the site.

I was going to start a similar thread, but might just as well piggy back on this one, to keep info in the same place.

I too am on the same quest, though I have a 6.5' box on my truck. I think you might be referring to the Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection, available in a rail mount, or gooseneck mount. Either type is light and easy to handle. I am considering that hitch too, and adding a gooseneck mount, like the B&W Turnoverball.
Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection
Gooseneck Hitch | B & W Trailer Hitches

My reason for going with the gooseneck hitch is so I can have the bed clear for carrying work materials, as I may be using this truck for work for a few years yet. Even with work aside, it would be nice to have a clean bed.

I am also open to other hitch ideas that will give me the same results, easy to take in and out, as I will be doing that a lot, and a reasonably clean floor in the bed.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

I have a RAM, 6.4 bed. My hitch is the Anderson Ultimate, it only weighs 40 lbs. I like it and always recommend it. If you're looking for a easy to handle hitch, the Anderson would be a good choice. I previously used a Reese with a slider, it weighs 150 lbs, and hated removing and installing it. Good luck in your selection.

Do you have the rail or gooseneck mount? How high are the rails when the hitch is removed?

I have pulled a 5th wheel with a tractor-trailer combo, but have never before used one with a pickup truck, thus all my silly questions.

[gingerh]

I have the F-150 with the crew cab and short bed and have a B+W 16K Patriot hitch with rails. It is not a slider and I love it. Tows great but it is heavy to lift.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by gingerh

I have the F-150 with the crew cab and short bed and have a B+W 16K Patriot hitch with rails. It is not a slider and I love it. Tows great but it is heavy to lift.

What is the length of the short bed on your F-150? Is it one of the new aluminum ones? We have a 2011 Nissan Frontier crew with 5 foot bed and also use the B&W Patriot hitch with our 5.0 Classic - we love that hitch. It is a little heavy but at least it easily breaks down into two parts which can be managed.

[Scout]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

My reason for going with the gooseneck hitch is so I can have the bed clear for carrying work materials, as I may be using this truck for work for a few years yet. Even with work aside, it would be nice to have a clean bed.

I really like this solution for keeping the bed clean when not towing (90% of the time) and for gaining the advantage of using the lighter weight Anderson hitch.

However, I'm planning to use the Anderson hitch in a F150 short-bed and I understand that the hitch point is offset so that you can rotate the "pyramid" to gain a few more inches of clearance between the cab and the pin.

Do you know if this is this possible with the goose-neck version?

[gingerh]

Fran & Dave,

The bed length is 5.5'. Mine is a 2014, the year before they came out with the aluminum one.

[frank_a]

Can you tow a 5.0TA with that B&W Gooseneck hitch? Do you need anything else, or do you just attach to the ball in the bed?

There's a lot I need to learn about hauling 5th wheels at my tender age!

Frank

Frank

[Jim Bennett]

The gooseneck hitch is just one way to attach the Anderson hitch. As an alternative, and one that is cheaper, you can just use standard rails with the Anderson hitch.

[PGDriver]

This is our set up in our new truck. We have the Reese 16K slider. It is easily lifted in and out with a rope hoist in my garage.

Cheers
Doug

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by PGDriver

This is our set up in our new truck. We have the Reese 16K slider. It is easily lifted in and out with a rope hoist in my garage.

You can drive into your garage? WOW!!!

Why did you go with a slider? Is your box not long enough for a fixed hitch?

I see you have a tool box, and a roll up tonneau. I am planning to do this too, but would want something hard, like a quad fold. I really like the Fold-a-Cover tonneau cover, with a large suspended tool caddy that leaves room under it for long things in the bed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=126&v=SIyuPRpJ6EA

[PGDriver]

Jim I went with the slider as I got for the same price as a fixed one.
And yes I can drive into my heated garage. I had a Extang Trifold tonneau before but it was a pain if I needed the whole box and with the roll up I can easily open my box.

Cheers
Doug

[Jim Bennett]

I had looked at the Extang Encore, which looks nice, has a forward folding hatch which could access a large tool box, but I worried that folded up it would interfere with the hitch. There will be no issue with that four panel I linked to, and I really like the aluminum box that you can get, the only problem is how expensive it will be to buy and ship, especially with the exchange.

Everything is a compromise.

[cpaharley2008]

"easily lifted with a rope and a hoist" sounds incongruous, like Army intelligence....

[PGDriver]

Compromise, what's that?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by PGDriver

Compromise, what's that?

Something I learned being married.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"easily lifted with a rope and a hoist" sounds incongruous, like Army intelligence....

I was kinda wondering the same thing.

Whatever I do end up getting will be something I can lift out, without mechanical aid, myself.

[PGDriver]

I lifted mine in by myself. I just like the easy way of doing things.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by PGDriver

I lifted mine in by myself. I just like the easy way of doing things.

Hi: PGDriver... I've seen some behemoth 5th wheel owners who pull the 4 rail pins and lift the trailer with the hitch attached to remove it from the truck. Don't know if I have enough nerve to do it that way.
Be my luck to tip the 5.0TA on its nose!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie