Truck heights etc. 5.0TA

[t-twnbob]

Chapitre, I see in your signature that you have a silverado for the tow vehicle. Is it a crew cab short bed? We have a Sierra CC short bed and have been looking for someone with a vehicle similar to ours pulling this trailer. I don't believe there will be any issues, just want to make sure. Any pictures? Thanks, Bob

[Chapitre]

It is an extended cab, 4WD, 6'-6" bed. 5.3 litre engine, 6 speed, 3.42 - has the tow package and integrated brake controller.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

Chapitre, I see in your signature that you have a silverado for the tow vehicle. Is it a crew cab short bed? We have a Sierra CC short bed and have been looking for someone with a vehicle similar to ours pulling this trailer. I don't believe there will be any issues, just want to make sure. Any pictures? Thanks, Bob

Not a Chevy but ....


http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f2...html#post48917

[Chapitre]

Originally Posted by Chapitre

It is an extended cab, 4WD, 6'-6" bed. 5.3 litre engine, 6 speed, 3.42 - has the tow package and integrated brake controller.

Sorry, here's the photo.....we have had absolutely no problem towing it. We towed it from BC to Nova Scotia. We have also had it through around the Cabot trail since we we've been back. Love the tow/haul mode....

[cpaharley2008]

Are there any issues with the 5.0 TA hitting the truck on sharp turns in reverse? I know Reace has a short bed and it will hit here in picture #2 in the post above
what about the longer bed trucks?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Are there any issues with the 5.0 TA hitting the truck on sharp turns in reverse? I know Reace has a short bed and it will hit here in picture #2 in the post above
what about the longer bed trucks?

Man, if I have to turn Ten Forward a full 90 degrees, I'd have a problem, like never get it straightened out. From the look at picture two... WOW.

[padlin]

With the 8' bed I can do 90 degrees and not hit anywhere. The only issue I have is that I only have an inch or so between the tailgate and the trailer when the tailgate is down. I have to make sure I'm pretty well inline when hooking up or have someone manage the tailgate while backing in. Some of the big rig owners do without the tailgate or have one of those cut down jobs.

[Chapitre]

I haven't had any problems at all with that- Reace did tell me to go slow if I was going down a steep short gully situation, where the truck is on the incline and the trailer is on the decline. I have had that situation once with road construction, but it wasn't a problem.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by padlin

The only issue I have is that I only have an inch or so between the tailgate and the trailer when the tailgate is down. I have to make sure I'm pretty well inline when hooking up or have someone manage the tailgate while backing in.

I've got about an inch too with a 6.5 bed. No one helps me, so once the king pin clears the tailgate where it can close.. I have to get out and shut it myself. No problemo.

[Chapitre]

I have no problems at all with the tailgate I have about 5 inches or so between the tailgate and the trailer. I can get in between the two and raise the tailgate. Maybe if I was trying to hookup on a fair bit of angle it might be a problem. I think the box is taller in the Fords, maybe with that is why I have more space with the Chev?

[padlin]

Must just be the F150 axle to tailgate length. If my hitch install instructions were correct it's the same irregardless of bed length.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by padlin

Must just be the F150 axle to tailgate length. If my hitch install instructions were correct it's the same irregardless of bed length.

Yes, in most recent trucks the change is bed length is all within the wheelbase - all lengths of the same model series (e.g. all F-150 variants) use a common frame section from the axle back.

[cpaharley2008]

In the Ram models the bed is a 1 foot shorter with the crew vs the quad cab, thus the pivot point is 12" closer in the crew cab models.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

In the Ram models the bed is a 1 foot shorter with the crew vs the quad cab, thus the pivot point is 12" closer in the crew cab models.

You can get a Ram 1500 with a 6'4" box in either quad or crew cabs. The crew cab is also available with a 5'7" box as an alternative: the 9" difference in box length comes entirely out of the space between the cab and the rear axle, so if you place the hitch in the same place relative to the axle in these two box lengths of Ram 1500 (regardless of cab) the pivot point is 9" closer to the cab with the shorter box.

If you compare any of the 6'4" box trucks - regular, quad, or crew cab - they'll have the same clearances for the trailer because all the extra length of the bigger cabs is in the cab area (so it adds to the wheelbase) - no change in the back. Quad adds 20" over regular; crew adds another 9" over quad.

The rear overhang (rear axle to tail end) length is the same (48.4") in both 5'7" and 6'4" Ram 1500 variants, so in that way it is just like the F-150: if you place the hitch in the same place relative to the axle in any of these trucks you will have the same tailgate clearance. There is still a Ram 1500 with an 8' box (only with standard cab): that one has two inches more rear overhang (probably so it will fit on the same frame length as a crew cab with 5'7" box), so it would have 2" less tailgate clearance if you place the hitch in the same place relative to the axle.

One of the advantages of typical pickup trucks over other vehicle styles is the range of choice in configuration; that is also a problem with these trucks. In this case there are three cabs, three box lengths, and three wheelbases, with five available combinations... all of just the 1500 model. (The F-150 has three cabs, three box lengths, five wheelbases, and six available combinations, but all six have the same rear overhang).

[cpaharley2008]

I have not seen a crew cab with the 6'4 bed but either way if the the axle distance is the same the issue is moot. I was not aware of that.

[Scuba55]

I have 2014 RAM Quad, it has the 6'4" bed. And, love it!

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

I have 2014 RAM Quad, it has the 6'4" bed. And, love it!

X2- "Sport" edition, although I no longer play sports!!

[t-twnbob]

I has hoping someone on the board was already towing a 5.0 with a short bed GM product, doesn't seem to be any. I have a call in to Reace, but haven't heard from him yet. I would like to put a deposit down, but I want get as much info from him before I do it. Right now we have a tentative for August 5th delivery. Wow, seems like a long ways out!!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

I has hoping someone on the board was already towing a 5.0 with a short bed GM product, doesn't seem to be any. I have a call in to Reace, but haven't heard from him yet. I would like to put a deposit down, but I want get as much info from him before I do it. Right now we have a tentative for August 5th delivery. Wow, seems like a long ways out!!

Hi: t-twnbob... We towed with a 2002 GMC short box(6'5") reg. cab pickup. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cpaharley2008]

I know I saw a 5.0 TA at the rally last year with a red GMC truck, I believe. It was one of the first ones made.