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Old 08-10-2016, 08:01 AM   #1
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Max external height on the 5.0 TA

We're interested in the 5.0 and need to know the max external height WITH A/C unit included. We have a storage building with 10' doors so need to be sure it will fit. Thanks in advance for the help/info.
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Old 08-10-2016, 08:23 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by RSchleder View Post
We're interested in the 5.0 and need to know the max external height WITH A/C unit included. We have a storage building with 10' doors so need to be sure it will fit. Thanks in advance for the help/info.
Hi: RSchleder... I had Reace measure our 5.0TA before we left the shop. Our suspension was set low for our Frontier pickup and the total height to the top of the Jack antenna was 10'3". It's higher than the A/C unit. Reace used a 2X4 with a level on it for accuracy.
I know one previous owner who didn't know this measurement at the carwash. Alf
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Old 08-10-2016, 08:28 AM   #3
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I'll concur, my shop doors are 10' and with the longer Jack antenna it was too tall. Since I needed the protection from hail before I build my Escape carport, I bought the shorter Jack antenna and that BARELY puts it under 10'. So if you're spec'ing out a new one you could maybe specify the shorter column Jack antenna.
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Old 08-10-2016, 12:58 PM   #4
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Thank you both very much for the info. It helps to define exactly what we need to do to fit the 5.0 thru our storage building door.
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Old 08-10-2016, 04:38 PM   #5
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As mentioned, without the Jack antenna it is no problem, as the A/C is lower than the loft by a wee bit.
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Old 08-10-2016, 04:47 PM   #6
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Thanks Jim, that's another thing I was wondering about, the height go the A/C compared to the front section of the trailer.
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Old 08-10-2016, 04:53 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
... I had Reace measure our 5.0TA before we left the shop. Our suspension was set low for our Frontier pickup ...)
This is an important point. If the current style of 5.0TA is set up for a taller truck, the suspension will set in the high configuration, raising the entire trailer about four inches. The next generation 5.0TA (so any 5.0TA built later this year and opting for the new style, and all 5.0TA built starting in 2017) will have a different suspension configuration and a new body shell, so all dimensions will need to be checked. The information published on the Escape website for the 5.0TA is generally for the current style, including all dimensions (and weights).
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Old 08-10-2016, 05:26 PM   #8
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WOW Brian, that's great information to know!! I'm visiting the factory next month so your "heads up" will allow me to ask the right questions. Thank you very much for this input.
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Old 08-10-2016, 06:29 PM   #9
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My trailer sits high in front when hitched to the truck. While I never checked it, I imagine a couple inches extra would take care of it.
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Old 08-10-2016, 07:22 PM   #10
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My trailer sits high in front when hitched to the truck. While I never checked it, I imagine a couple inches extra would take care of it.
Bob- are you pulling your trailer with a 4x4 pickup?
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Old 08-10-2016, 07:37 PM   #11
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Yes, also the HD payload which adds bigger wheels and tires.

Think it has the most to do with how ETI adjusts the trailers suspension. As I had mine delivered they never had a chance to set it and adjust it if needed. They did however have the bed height.
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Old 08-10-2016, 08:46 PM   #12
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... Think it has the most to do with how ETI adjusts the trailers suspension. As I had mine delivered they never had a chance to set it and adjust it if needed. They did however have the bed height.
From a previous discussion (Escape new features - post #82), this is Bob's suspension:

The springs run under the axles, which the low configuration.
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Old 08-11-2016, 03:40 AM   #13
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Remember, this picture is that of the original 5.0 TA suspension, the newer models have torsion axles.
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Old 08-11-2016, 11:37 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Remember, this picture is that of the original 5.0 TA suspension, the newer models have torsion axles.
Forgot about that, do the torsion axles have 3 settings too?

FWIW, mine's mid setting in the picture. I believe for low you would use the upper bolt holes in the spring hangers, or whatever they are called.
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Old 08-11-2016, 01:00 PM   #15
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I'm visiting the factory next month so your "heads up" will allow me to ask the right questions.
Excellent Someone would have likely told you about this at the factory anyway, but it's good to go prepared rather than getting overwhelmed with information while not having access to reference sources such as this forum.

Unfortunately, it appears unlikely that there will not be a new-style 5.0TA to show you at that time... they will have only the current 5.0TA.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Remember, this picture is that of the original 5.0 TA suspension, the newer models have torsion axles.
Right, they will eventually have rubber-sprung independent "torsion" suspension, as mentioned in post #7.

Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
FWIW, mine's mid setting in the picture. I believe for low you would use the upper bolt holes in the spring hangers, or whatever they are called.
That's the theory, and it could lower the trailer a couple of inches (using holes a couple inches higher on the hangers) before the axle beams risk hitting the frame at full compression over a bump, but in the photos I've seen there are no upper holes... someone would have to drill a dozen large holes in steel plate. I'm not volunteering

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Forgot about that, do the torsion axles have 3 settings too?
No - unless Escape goes to UCF Flexiride axles, which is extremely unlikely, the rubber-sprung suspension (presumably Dexter Torflex like all other Escapes) is not adjustable in height at all. It comes in different heights, but once manufactured it cannot be changed.

To allow different trailer heights without replacing the whole Torflex axle/suspension, the usual solution - already available from Escape as the "high lift" option - is to bolt a spacer in between the Torflex brackets and the trailer frame. The commercially available spacer kit from Dexter adds 2-5/8". That means
  • two heights only 2-5/8" apart, or
  • offering a taller spacer, or
  • special-ordering axles for more extreme heights (lower, or higher in combination with a spacer).
There are other height-adjustment approaches for this type of axle, but they are complex and expensive and usually reserved for trailers which need a power lift-and-lower feature such as to lower the deck to load equipment. I would be shocked if Escape did something unnecessarily complex like that.
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Old 08-11-2016, 01:36 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
Excellent


That's the theory, and it could lower the trailer a couple of inches (using holes a couple inches higher on the hangers) before the axle beams risk hitting the frame at full compression over a bump, but in the photos I've seen there are no upper holes... someone would have to drill a dozen large holes in steel plate. I'm not volunteering
I don't have a dog in this fight as I have a new 2017 5.0 TA on order but there appears to be an upper hole in the picture which is filled with a bolt. Not sure what that bolt is for as I assume the hanger is welded to the trailer frame. Is it possible to remove that bolt and mount the spring to that hole thus lowering the suspension by a couple inches?
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Old 08-11-2016, 03:05 PM   #17
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When I expanded the photo it looks like there is a black painted bolt coming from the other side with a nut on it, just above the unpainted bolt head. Maybe that is some distortion or reflection in the photo.
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Old 08-11-2016, 05:23 PM   #18
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Now that the much needed rain stopped I went out and looked at the trailer, there are indeed NO upper holes in the brackets. Guess it only has 2 heights.
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Old 08-11-2016, 05:47 PM   #19
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Now that the much needed rain stopped I went out and looked at the trailer, there are indeed NO upper holes in the brackets. Guess it only has 2 heights.
Thanks Bob.
As I recall someone at Escape was talking about three heights, so perhaps the plan was to drill if required for that extra lowest height.
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