5.0 TA questions

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I have been wrestling with this issue since seeing the new 5.0 TA at Osoyoos. Storage??
I'm on the fence about the 5.0 because of storage- where will one put all the stuff from the front storage box in the 5.0?- sewer and water and power cables and leveling blocks?
Where will one put all the stuff from under the bed, I have 3 large tupperware with grill and shoes and some chairs. What about what is in the tug, the bike and jack and air compressor?
There is plenty of inside storage in the 5.0 but outside

Hi; cpaharley2008... I thought you were on the "Slim Fast" plan? If you left it at home, or took it and didn't use it ...you don't need it!!! Remember you're camping not moving. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cpaharley2008]

I am Alf, but there some things you gots to have. I like riding the bike and having some chairs, just not so many. With you coming from another 5th, you have already addressed this issue, something non 5th owners need to think about.

[emers382]

Jim we have only taken one trip in Alf's old 5.0 and despite the fact we were not long term camping I could see there would be plenty of room for everything, for example blocks etc go in the bed of the truck - after Af's experience losing one in a 50 m.p.h. crosswind though I'd better look at securing. The bikes had we taken them would have gone on the bike rack. Chairs went on the rear bed - set up as bed for the trip since our grandson was with us, and he didn't need much room, also an unopened box with the outdoor mat we never used. Coming home we had three large plastic totes on the bed as well - the four year old by then had little room!

I know Alf stores his gravity chairs on the bed for travel.

Adrian

[Don W.]

Hello Jim,

I plan on addressing this by carrying hoses and things in the storage above the propane, Box of blocks jacks etc in a box in the truck bed, camp mats/tarps in a waterproof duffle in the truck bed, chairs either inside, or laying flat in the truck, bikes....on the bike rack on the rear of camper, but I plan to have extra strap down points on the back to assure they will not fall and the minimal weight will help ease pin weight. Inside, I will have plenty of room for all the rest, and maybe a nice tucked away spot for a small air compressor to blow out the lines after camping in the winter. I do plan to have an 8ft truck bed though.

[emers382]

Nice Don, to have an 8 ft. bed, of course that would not work for those of us pulling a fifth wheel, even at 6.5 ft. I have to lift the tailgate before the pin reaches the fifth wheel!

Good idea about extra straps on the bikes, we shall do that when we take ours. We know how much bouncing around can go on at the back, having lost our spare tire on our first and only trip thus far.

Adrian

[Don W.]

With the new 5.0ta Reace adjusts things along with the height. At least that was my impression, most standard 5th wheel campers require or suggest the tug has an 8ft bed to avoid having to use a slider hitch. I have a new 5.0ta on order and they ask my bed length etc.

The straps on the bike I learned from someone that almost had them fall off...

[daveandsandyclink]

In my honest, humble opinion which isn't often, we have no issue with the storage in the 5.0SA. Even going out for a month at a time. Many in the 5.0 camp go for months and at least one couple full times it. I can only express the idea to keep it simple, small, lightweight, and organized. Some of this crowd is straying from that idea. You will realize that your using more fuel, having tire issues, your tow vehicle can longer pass another on a hill, and you have lost your freedom to park in the last little campground spot.

[padlin]

Storage is not an issue, a friend told me to get an 8' bed for best 5th wheel use.
The 1st image shows almost 4' in front of the hitch and 30"+ behind it.
The 2nd image with the TA, shows all the front available and almost all of the space behind it.

With the 8' bed you can open the tailgate when hitched up.

[Don W.]

thanks for the pics Padlin. Looks like an awesome setup. Have you tried any tight turns?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by padlin

With the 8' bed you can open the tailgate when hitched up.

You can open the tailgate with a 5.6 bed too. Reace posted pictures of the new 5er hookup to his truck here. Tailgate down! Direct link to pics: http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f2...html#post48917

[cpaharley2008]

I fail to see what difference the bed size has to do with the ability to open the tail gate. Regardless of the size, the hitch is centered over the wheels and in most trucks the distance rearward is almost the same, the difference in lengths are in front of the wheels. Thus the measurement to be concerned is from the trailer to the hitch pin in order to allow for the tailgate. In the 5.0TA it appears to have adequate clearance.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by Don W.

thanks for the pics Padlin. Have you tried any tight turns?

Yes, no problems.

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I fail to see what difference the bed size has to do with the ability to open the tail gate. Regardless of the size, the hitch is centered over the wheels and in most trucks the distance rearward is almost the same, the difference in lengths are in front of the wheels. Thus the measurement to be concerned is from the trailer to the hitch pin in order to allow for the tailgate. In the 5.0TA it appears to have adequate clearance.

You are probably right, I thought I had read where someone couldn't open theirs but on review I don't see it. FWIW, the hitch in the bed of my truck is adjustable, 4" up/dn and 6" fwd/bkwd. It has to be adjusted all the way towards the tailgate or the tailgate will hit the trailer. Just a guess, but I think the Escapes distance from the trailer to the pin is fairly short.

[strawbarry]

It is a juggling act between clearance and maneuverability, clearance demands longer pin distance while maneuverability needs as short as possible. Other than hitching up you would normally pull with the tailgate up. Having to drop the tailgate for hitching is one reason you see aftermarket tailgates with a notch in the center which allows the hitch to clear the gate.