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Old 06-26-2016, 11:20 AM   #1
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Anyone towing 5.0TA w/Short Bed?

Like many, I'm drooling over the 5.0TA but I've got a 5.5' bed on my Nissan Frontier. I'm hoping for your thoughts and experiences using a slider or similar hitch on such a setup. Thanks for any help you can provide!
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Old 06-26-2016, 11:38 AM   #2
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Here's a some pictures of Reace's Ford 5.6 bed hooked up (and turning) the 5.0TA classic. The hitch is standard (not on a slider) from Trademaster. http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f2...html#post48917


And this is mine, same setup... love it!
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Old 06-26-2016, 12:20 PM   #3
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Check with Alf, he's using a Frontier too.
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Old 06-26-2016, 12:29 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
Check with Alf, he's using a Frontier too.
Alf has a long bed Frontier
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Old 06-26-2016, 12:44 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Alf has a long bed Frontier
Thought they only came in 5' or 6', depending on the cab selected. OF course Alf's isn't new.
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Old 06-26-2016, 02:01 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Alf has a long bed Frontier
True.
Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
Thought they only came in 5' or 6', depending on the cab selected. OF course Alf's isn't new.
Alf's Frontier is the current style, which has been "current" since the 2005 model year. The bed lengths for are 1,511 mm (59.5" or 5 feet) and 1,861 mm (73.3" or 6 feet); Alf's Frontier has the longer bed, even though it has the longer cab (Crew Cab); I don't think the longer bed was initially available in combination with the Crew Cab, and available bed lengths still depends on trim (S versus SV versus Pro-4X).

Here's Alf's rig:
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Old 06-26-2016, 02:07 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Zardoz View Post
Like many, I'm drooling over the 5.0TA but I've got a 5.5' bed on my Nissan Frontier.
Since the bed lengths are 59.5" and 73.3", I'm not sure which length is intended here. Inches matter to trailer-to-cab clearance, so it would be helpful to clarify this. If it is a King Cab, it will be the 6-foot box; the choice is only with the Crew Cab.
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Old 06-26-2016, 03:20 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by padlin View Post
Thought they only came in 5' or 6', depending on the cab selected. OF course Alf's isn't new.
You are correct (59.5") according to a different website than the first one I went to. Suppose I could get off my lazy rear end and take a tape measure out to the driveway.
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Old 06-26-2016, 03:23 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
Since the bed lengths are 59.5" and 73.3", I'm not sure which length is intended here. Inches matter to trailer-to-cab clearance, so it would be helpful to clarify this. If it is a King Cab, it will be the 6-foot box; the choice is only with the Crew Cab.
It's a short bed; the 59.5" model.
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Old 06-26-2016, 03:28 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Zardoz View Post
You are correct (59.5") according to a different website than the first one I went to. Suppose I could get off my lazy rear end and take a tape measure out to the driveway.
Hi: Zardoz... You can always add a pin extender to the pin box. This adds about 9" to the cab/trailer distance.
Yes we have the long bed Fronty... 6'1" I think. We also have a slider hitch... but never slide it.http://www.huskytow.com
Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades!!! Alf
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Old 06-26-2016, 03:50 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
We also have a slider hitch... but never slide it.
I don't think Alf is the only one to make this sort of comment, about not using the slide.
  • If you don't need it and don't use it, a slider is extra weight and bulk and expense and stuff to go wrong.
  • If you do need it you need to remember to slide it back every time you need to turn sharply, and to slide it forward before driving away.
  • If you only need it for the most extreme situations, you need to be 100% accurate in your determination of when it is necessary, since the consequence to needing the clearance and not sliding it is to damage both the cab and the trailer.

There are auto-slide hitches, such as the PullRite SuperGlide; they are expensive, heavy, and complex (although perhaps not much worse than manual sliders in these respects) but avoid the need for extra steps or to remember to do anything. I do wonder about the dynamic effect if the rig turns enough to start the rearward shift at speed (such as in an emergency avoidance maneuver), but I haven't investigated that in detail. They seem likely have a bit more free play than a non-sliding hitch with a similar head design.

The SuperGlide has been discussed before: Google Search for "superglide" in EscapeForum.org
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Old 06-26-2016, 03:53 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Zardoz View Post
Suppose I could get off my lazy rear end and take a tape measure out to the driveway.

I sat on my lazy rear end and used Nissan Canada's website to get the dimensions, for authoritative information.
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Old 06-26-2016, 03:55 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
You can always add a pin extender to the pin box. This adds about 9" to the cab/trailer distance.
You can also (by various methods) mount the hitch so the pin is further from the cab than the typical installation - typically the pin is just ahead of the axle, which is too close to the cab in a 5' box Frontier to safely turn as tightly as you might want to when backing into a campsite.

The effects of moving the pin forward on the trailer and moving the hitch back on the truck are not quite the same; there are pros and cons both ways.
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Old 06-26-2016, 04:33 PM   #14
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We have a F150 with a 5.5 short box, Reese hitch installed by Trade Masters, works great limitations cannot do a 90 degree turn.
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Old 06-27-2016, 02:14 PM   #15
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Thanks all; really appreciate each comment. After reading all your thoughtful comments (and consulting several YouTube videos), I'm convinced that some type of pin extender is the way to go. Much less expensive, lighter, simpler, and leaves more options for choosing a hitch. I'll of course consult Reace before I make any final decisions, and get more in-depth reassurances from Alf that my Fronty is up to the job towing the TA over the passes.
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Old 06-27-2016, 02:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zardoz View Post
Thanks all; really appreciate each comment. After reading all your thoughtful comments (and consulting several YouTube videos), I'm convinced that some type of pin extender is the way to go. Much less expensive, lighter, simpler, and leaves more options for choosing a hitch. I'll of course consult Reace before I make any final decisions, and get more in-depth reassurances from Alf that my Fronty is up to the job towing the TA over the passes.
Hi: Zardoz... I recommended a pin extender by Popup Ind... for Hokiescape here on the forum. His long bed got totalled while parked in front of his office and the only low milers available to replace his Fronty were short beds. He was thrilled with the fact that the Ins. Co. paid to R&R his hitch and install the Popup Ind. RV5 10" extender. Now he can tow his 5.0 Classic with the tailgate down too. RV Parts, Accessories and Supplies In The USA by Tweetys Popup Ind. 10" pin extender listed under 5th. wh. hitches. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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P1040118.jpg   P1040126.jpg  
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Old 06-27-2016, 03:40 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
... I recommended a pin extender by Popup Ind...
RV Parts, Accessories and Supplies In The USA by Tweetys Popup Ind. 10" pin extender listed under 5th. wh. hitches.
More directly, the Tweety's page:
PopUp Industries RV5 Fifth Wheel 10 Inch Extended King Pin

... and the manufacturer's product page:
RV5 Extended Kingpin - Pop Up HitchPop Up Hitch
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Old 06-27-2016, 05:00 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Here's a some pictures of Reace's Ford 5.6 bed hooked up (and turning) the 5.0TA classic. The hitch is standard (not on a slider) from Trademaster. http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f2...html#post48917


And this is mine, same setup... love it!
And our looks just like yours...well not quite, our trailer is missing one axle but the white F150 supercab looks almost the same.

Adrian
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Old 06-27-2016, 06:24 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
Hi: Zardoz... I recommended a pin extender by Popup Ind... for Hokiescape here on the forum. His long bed got totalled while parked in front of his office and the only low milers available to replace his Fronty were short beds. He was thrilled with the fact that the Ins. Co. paid to R&R his hitch and install the Popup Ind. RV5 10" extender. Now he can tow his 5.0 Classic with the tailgate down too. RV Parts, Accessories and Supplies In The USA by Tweetys Popup Ind. 10" pin extender listed under 5th. wh. hitches. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
You're a fountain of valuable information, Alf! (Now tell me your Fronty can run up all the hills with Escape Hatch II in tow and I'll rest easier)
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Old 06-27-2016, 06:25 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
More directly, the Tweety's page:
PopUp Industries RV5 Fifth Wheel 10 Inch Extended King Pin

... and the manufacturer's product page:
RV5 Extended Kingpin - Pop Up HitchPop Up Hitch
Thank you, Brian. This is very helpful.
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