Sorry ... one more try on 5th wheel hitch for my Tundra - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Me | General Topics > General Escape
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-19-2020, 01:15 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Wake Forest, North Carolina
Trailer: 2020 5.0TA
Posts: 154
Sorry ... one more try on 5th wheel hitch for my Tundra

Sorry to bother all you kind folks again. After several weeks of reading posts here, asking questions, and talking with a local 5.0 owner, I decided to install a gooseneck and Andersen hitch into my 2019 Tundra w/5.5 bed. My rationale for gooseneck was a clean/flat bed when not towing. Most folks seem to agree that's they way to go. So, I called Trademasters and they sent me a quote. They, however, recommend a rail mounted hitch. This shouldn't be that hard. So, who votes for gooseneck and who for rail and why?
__________________
2020 Escape 5.0 TA
2014 Escape 19 - Sold
2004 Casita 17 - Flooded by Hurricane Florence
2019 Tundra Crew Max TV
ritacasita is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2020, 02:20 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Did Trademasters explain why the recommended rails instead of the under-bed ("gooseneck") socket? If not, why not ask them? There are legitimate advantages to each configuration, but the recommendation might have been for their convenience, rather than your benefit.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2020, 10:53 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
UncleTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Trailer: 2020 Escape 5.0TA "Zen"
Posts: 1,390
So I can tell you what Trademasters told me concerning my soon to be mounted Tundra Crew Cab 2018.

They recommended the rail system for me. It is cheaper (that did not matter) but that the biggest difference is the rails stay mounted. You can still take out the hitch.

When I asked him what he would do for his own truck, he told me he would do it just like the quote. That the gooseneck is not necessarily the best way for me. They could have upsold me right there. A gooseneck system is almost $1,000 more.

I have not had the work done yet, not until May.

I hope that helps. This is not advice, since I really don't know yet. I am in the same boat as you, but Tundras are cool!


No bother at all ritacasita!
UncleTim is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2020, 11:03 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 465
If I remember correctly the gooseneck mount is also heavier by 40-50 lbs. That comes off your Tundra's payload. I thought the rails would be a pain but so far its been a non issue having them and they have not been in the way when using the truck for other things.
MikeS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2020, 09:56 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Perry Butler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,141
We also find the rails a non-issue, and have no problem with the rails when the hitch is removed. They stick up only about 1" and are rounded.

The rail hitch is 11.5" narrower (side to side) and 7.5" shorter (front to back) than the gooseneck version, giving more room outside the dimensions of the hitch. The rail version also does not have angled plates, so stores more inside of the hitch.

Enjoy,

Perry
Perry Butler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2020, 06:53 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
arniesea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
I had Trademasters install the B&W gooseneck Mount because we have chickens and I regularly haul pine shavings, mulch, etc in my truck when not towing. I did not want the hassle of cleaning that stuff around the rails.

The downside? The Anderson gooseneck hitch frame has a larger footprint than the rail mount. I am continually fighting it trying to pack other gear around it while towing. From a towing perspective I wish I would have gone with the rail mount. Those few extra inches make all the difference in a 5.5 foot bed.

So if you don’t regularly use your truck for loose, bulk materials, I would advise the rails.

Other than that, I love, love, love the Anderson hitch!
__________________
- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier
https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
arniesea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2020, 01:30 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleTim View Post
So I can tell you what Trademasters told me concerning my soon to be mounted Tundra Crew Cab 2018.

They recommended the rail system for me. It is cheaper (that did not matter) but that the biggest difference is the rails stay mounted. You can still take out the hitch.

When I asked him what he would do for his own truck, he told me he would do it just like the quote. That the gooseneck is not necessarily the best way for me. They could have upsold me right there. A gooseneck system is almost $1,000 more.
Other than cost, there is still no reason provided for the recommendation. It will be interesting to hear what it is, if anyone gets that from Trademasters.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2020, 07:18 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: Feb 2017 5.0TA "Cackleberry" - 2016 Chevy Silverado
Posts: 63
We have been very happy with our gooseneck rails-esp that being senile citizens, we can lift/move the hitch out when we need room in the truck bed
jensworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2020, 10:15 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Bellingham, Washington
Trailer: 5.0 TA "Sea'scape"
Posts: 278
Some of the recent posts discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two Andersen gooseneck hitches, the one that fastens to the truck via above-bed rails and the other that fastens using an in-bed gooseneck ball.

I researched both options for my Ford F250, 6'9" bed with factory-installed ball and puck system. I could have used the rail-mounted Andersen hitch because both Reese and Demco offer a Ford puck adapter that allows the use of rail-mounted hitches. (see etrailer.com)

Nevertheless, I decided to go with the standard aluminum Andersen Ultimate hitch that mounts to the in-bed ball even though its base is bigger than that of the rail-mounted steel version. There are two disadvantages of the rail-mounted version, 1) it's only offered in steel, not aluminum, and I'd spend significantly more money buying the steel base plus puck adapter than I would on the aluminum version alone.
Hawkeye Ed is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.