Towing 5.0 with Frontier?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jfocallag

I am just at the beginning of my research so I am not yet fully educated on what it takes to tow a 5th wheel...
Forgive my questions, I just like to dream. I am still far from the point of buying.

That seems to me to be an excellent point to be asking questions.

[dbailey]

Jfocallag: if you aren't set on buying new, you might look for a used 5.0 when the time comes. I suspect that when the new 5.0TA comes out, there will be a number of used original 5.0s going on the market (much like the used 19 market has seen a lot of activity with the release of the 21).

[elongest]

I tow a Scamp 5er with a Frontier and it is really a great combination.
Last year I looked at buying 17 Bigfoot but I had to pass on it because I did not like the extra width of the trailer behind the Frontier. I hate dealing with mirror extenders and I felt with the wider trailer a full size pick up was more suited for the job. With the new 5.0 being 8" wider than the older model that would be my main concern with a midsize truck.
Eddie

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by elongest

I tow a Scamp 5er with a Frontier and it is really a great combination.
Last year I looked at buying 17 Bigfoot but I had to pass on it because I did not like the extra width of the trailer behind the Frontier. I hate dealing with mirror extenders and I felt with the wider trailer a full size pick up was more suited for the job. With the new 5.0 being 8" wider than the older model that would be my main concern with a midsize truck.
Eddie

Hi: elongest... I plan on ordering a pair of plug and play replacement towing mirrors for my 2010 Frontier from 1A Auto : Aftermarket Auto Parts, Car Body Parts, Replacement & New Automobile and Truck Parts | Buy Discount Car & Auto Parts Online. They are extendable, power, and heated direct OEM replacements. I understand from owners of Frontiers that they take about 20-30 min. to plug and tug. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[dave1]

Alf,

I got a set of the mirrors from A 1 for my tacoma. Very nice quality, easy install. They are much bigger than stock so it took a bit to get used to. Haven't towed the 19 with them yet, have driven around with them in up or extended and think they will work well.

Dave

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by dave1

Alf,

I got a set of the mirrors from A 1 for my tacoma. Very nice quality, easy install. They are much bigger than stock so it took a bit to get used to. Haven't towed the 19 with them yet, have driven around with them in up or extended and think they will work well.

Dave

Hi: dave1... Thanks for the reply. They're double what a pair of Aero clip-ons would be, but I like the fact they're a complete replacement for the OEM mirrors.
Have you got any pic's. of them installed on your truck? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[dave1]

Alf,

Here is a link to the tacoma forum about the mirrors with several picutres. Go to the last few pages for pictures of the A1.

My Towing Mirrors - Tacoma World Forums

Yes I liked the total replacement. Have heard mixed reviews on the aero clip ons.

Dave

[Brian B-P]

I realize that this thread is specifically about the Frontier as a 5.0 tug, but anyone still in long rage planning mode might want to keep the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado in mind. I have no reason to believe it will have any higher capacity than the Frontier (or Tacoma), but it will be another mid-sized option so when the detailed specifications come out they might be worth checking.

The Colorado will be the same size as a Frontier (or Tacoma), with the same available long box and similar engine size/power. Another year later it will also have a diesel option, but the engine is not really the issue for these trucks.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by dave1

Alf,

Have heard mixed reviews on the aero clip ons.

Dave

After 5 years on the road with our Aeros, I have nothing but good to say about them. Easy on, easy off, stable and clear viewing.

One of the best things we have bought for trailering.

https://sites.google.com/site/ouresc...towing-mirrors

[gbaglo]

I too am happy with the Aero, but I'm looking for some way to stiffen the plastic shroud on the RAV's mirror where the Aero attaches. I'm hoping to eliminate the slight vibration.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I too am happy with the Aero, but I'm looking for some way to stiffen the plastic shroud on the RAV's mirror where the Aero attaches. I'm hoping to eliminate the slight vibration.

Have you tried mounting from the bottom? If there is room it might be thicker. I also had better luck when I moved the clips to the extremes of the shroud.

[gbaglo]

I did try the bottom, mainly to keep the screw-knobs from being in my line-of-sight. Not sure why I reverted to the top. I shall try moving to the extremes.

[Weldingmedic]

Can a few of you please tell me what type of Fifth Wheel Hitch you are using to pull the 5.0, and are you happy with it. My delivery date is not until Oct. 2014, but I need to buy before that of course. Does the slidebar type make noise on the small 5.0, or should I just pay extra for the dual jaw.
Thanks,
Mark in Florida

[cpaharley2008]

Are you getting the newer tandem axle model, different specs than the single axle.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by Weldingmedic

Can a few of you please tell me what type of Fifth Wheel Hitch you are using to pull the 5.0, and are you happy with it. My delivery date is not until Oct. 2014, but I need to buy before that of course. Does the slidebar type make noise on the small 5.0, or should I just pay extra for the dual jaw.
Thanks,
Mark in Florida

On our Classic 5.0 we are using the B&W Patriot 15K hitch and it seems to be working just fine. The feature of that hitch that made us choose it is that you can make adjustments to the pivot point...moving it 2 inches forward or backward. It is not a slider...you can't change the pivot point while towing...you have to set it in one of the 3 positions before you hitch up. But it gives you a little flexibility if you have a short bed and are having trouble mounting right over the axle.
Don't know if there are different requirements for the 5.0TA.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by FMLNM

Don't know if there are different requirements for the 5.0TA.

The new 5.0 TA is about 8 inches wider than the original, all the way to the front corners (no tapered nose). Assuming a similar relationship of pin position to the front of the trailer, it will require more clearance from the back of the cab to the hitch to be able to reach the same turning angle. It would be 4" more if you want 90-degree turns, but many people settle for much less angle, and the difference would be smaller.

This is one reason that it seems to me that the change to the new 5.0 TA is the end of towing Escape fifth-wheels with compact trucks... think mid-sized at least. The Frontier is mid-sized, but still the longer wheelbase (which comes with the longer box) seems advisable, especially with the crew cab. I believe that Fran & Dave have the short version, and Alf the long version - both with crew cabs.

[Weldingmedic]

Thanks for the quick responses. I am getting the new 5.0TA, and right now have a 2008 Ford F-250 Diesel which is way to much truck. Thinking of Tundra with 6.5' bed with 4.6L V-8, so whatever hitch I use will fit. I have always had small trucks before the Ford, and just can't go back. Love the sound and power of a diesel, but the fuel bill and maintenance will eat ya up. The 4.6 seems fairly economical for an 8, so what the heck.
Happy escaping.....

[daveandsandyclink]

There's been lots of discussion on tow vehicles, 5.0 pin weight, hitches, bed height, and such. Searching the archives and talking to ETI about the tow requirements for the new 5.0 TA should be of help.

[padlin]

Haven't gotten mine as yet, but come spring I'll be ordering the Patriot like Fran uses. I asked over on the big rv forum and the B&W products are highly recommended although most of those folks go with the bigger model.
ETI sells and installs the Reese.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Weldingmedic

Thanks for the quick responses. I am getting the new 5.0TA, and right now have a 2008 Ford F-250 Diesel which is way to much truck. Thinking of Tundra with 6.5' bed with 4.6L V-8, so whatever hitch I use will fit. I have always had small trucks before the Ford, and just can't go back. Love the sound and power of a diesel, but the fuel bill and maintenance will eat ya up. The 4.6 seems fairly economical for an 8, so what the heck.
Happy escaping.....

I'd keep the diesel, a lot better towing a larger 5th TA than the smaller v-8 and your mileage will be about the same, maybe even better with the diesel. I have the Dodge Ram Hemi and I get 12 mpg, towing or not. I'd trade it for the new 3.0 Ram diesel if I can find one. Plus you will save some $$.