3500HD 4x4 too tall for Escape 5.0?

AndyZ · 07-28-2023, 11:51 AM

I have put in an order for an 2023 Escape 5.0 that includes the 2-5/8 lift. My truck is a 2019 GMC 3500 Sierra Denali, diesel, 4x4, crew cab, 8ft bed, single rear wheel. The tires and suspension are stock.

Started looking into getting a hitch (preferring a 5th wheel to a gooseneck). Very concerned that my truck bed height is way too tall. I'm measuring 37" bed height (unloaded). The shortest 5th wheel hitch I could find is 14". 37"+14"=51".

Looking at the Escape tow guide, it seems like the tallest pin configuration is "Pinbox retracted (optional configuration)" = 45.25" + 2.5" axel lift = 47.75". This is about 3" too high. Being a 3500 the springs don't sag much. With a 3000+ lb truck camper, the sag is less than 3".

Any insight into this? Thanks.

WillyB · 07-28-2023, 12:30 PM

This guide indicates a 58" high max bed sidewall height.
https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/h...7-908a7792d9a4

hope the helps.

brroberts · 07-28-2023, 12:34 PM

I won’t be a ton of help, but if your bed rails are low enough, it’s not uncommon for pickup load heights to be that tall with current trucks, but folks make it work. My 2021 2WD Ranger is between 33-34 inches of load height, and it’s a midsize. I would “guess” most full size are around 36.” I could be wrong, but food for thought.

AndyZ · 07-28-2023, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the responses so far. As mentioned before, I do have the 2-5/8 lift option. I did measure my bed sidewall height (unloaded) at 56.5, so no issue there.

Did remeasure the bed height as came up with 36 (instead of 37). So with a 14.5" hitch, I'm at 50.5". From the Escape towing doc, the maximum configured height is 48. I'll drop when loaded, but probably not more than 1". So would still be 1.5" high (nose up trailer). Is this a problem from a practical perspective?

The other area is the bedrail clearance. Running a 14.5" hitch would give a clearance of 6.5". Would this be enough for rougher dirt roads? The lower the 5th wheel hitch, the more level the camper. But then have less bedrail clearance.

AndyZ · 07-31-2023, 01:01 PM

Did some additional measuring. Here is the best I could do:

(1) Hitch height 2 inches too tall
(2) Clearance at bedrails 6 inches
(3) Cannot clear the pinbox if the camper and truck are at 90 degree angle

Seems like getting an aftermarket 5th wheel tailgate would help with the tailgate clearance when fairly straight and the camper and truck are at different pitch angles.

I plan to occasionally drive rougher/steep dirt roads (not hard core off-roading). Would the above constraints be sufficient?

Andy

**SageRpod** · 07-31-2023, 04:31 PM

I can't provide any first hand knowledge, however I do remember reading about folks who were going to pull a 5.0 with an F250 Superduty. Maybe a search of the forum may turn up something. That might be a good data point to work from.

AndyZ · 08-01-2023, 10:40 AM

Thanks. I'm sure the F250 is not higher than my truck. I'm now working directly with someone at Escape. Looks like it will fit. Will be a bit low at the bedrails.

Keith3 · 08-01-2023, 02:10 PM

You may want to find a way to move your hitch further back in the bed. It won’t impact your ride in such a big truck and will give you clearance for turning. An Andersen hitch may help, depending on how you configure it.

Also, it will sag a bit more if you move it back, maybe?

AndyZ · 08-01-2023, 03:41 PM

Thanks Keith. My contact at Escape is also recommending an Anderson hitch. Also, because unloaded my truck has the back up around 2.5 inches, looking at lowering leaf spring shackles that should bring it down 2 inches.

Centex · 08-01-2023, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyZ

.... looking at lowering leaf spring shackles that should bring it down 2 inches.

If that can be implemented, IMO that'd be your best option and you'll achieve a very comfortable resolution for all of the clearance and level issues you mention even with the traditional (not Andersen) low 5th-wheel hitch you've already identified.

Not suggesting there's a particular reason to avoid an Andersen, just suggesting it may not be a necessary component for your trailering enjoyment (I use an Andersen but I recognize it isn't everyone's first preference for a variety of valid reasons).

splitting_lanes · 08-01-2023, 07:03 PM

I’d second what Centex said about using a traditional 5th wheel hitch instead of an Andersen.

I use an Andersen, but if I had plenty of extra weight capacity like you do…. I’d consider using a regular 5th wheel hitch for the ease of hookup and disconnect. It’s hard to do the hookup without a second person with an Andersen hitch.

TahoeRob · 08-01-2023, 07:59 PM

I have a ‘21 F250 that is on the tall side too. With the lifted axles on the 5.0 everything works great. I had an Anderson hitch but sold it and now have a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch. The Anderson worked great, but you have to lift it trailer over the top of the hitch in the bed of the truck to lower it onto the ball so the trailer legs have to extend more (you have to lift the trailer higher) than when using the regular 5th wheel hitch. I already had the pucks in the bed of the truck for the traditional 5th wheel hitch so it takes up less space in the bed as well. Both hitches worked fine though. Rob

AndyZ · 08-02-2023, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the additional insights. Appreciate it. I see pros and cons of using the Anderson vs more traditional 5th wheel hitch. Most likely I'll go with the Anderson.

AndyZ · 08-08-2023, 12:28 PM

Looks like I'm zeroing in on the Anderson rail mount hitch. Still planning to do the 2 inch drop of the truck's rear, but this is more complicated than originally thought. Easy to find leaf spring hangers that lower the truck 2 inches. The challenge is the overload springs that come with the truck. These overloads are additional 2 leafs that are mounted above the primary 5 leafs. They only engage when there is considerable weight in the truck, or if you hit a big bump. Might have to remove them when the drop is installed.

Grasshog · 08-08-2023, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyZ

I have put in an order for an 2023 Escape 5.0 that includes the 2-5/8 lift. My truck is a 2019 GMC 3500 Sierra Denali, diesel, 4x4, crew cab, 8ft bed, single rear wheel. The tires and suspension are stock.

Started looking into getting a hitch (preferring a 5th wheel to a gooseneck). Very concerned that my truck bed height is way too tall. I'm measuring 37" bed height (unloaded). The shortest 5th wheel hitch I could find is 14". 37"+14"=51".

Looking at the Escape tow guide, it seems like the tallest pin configuration is "Pinbox retracted (optional configuration)" = 45.25" + 2.5" axel lift = 47.75". This is about 3" too high. Being a 3500 the springs don't sag much. With a 3000+ lb truck camper, the sag is less than 3".

Any insight into this? Thanks.

I have a 2011 F250 super duty, 56 1/2 inches from the ground to the top of the bed rail. No problem whatsoever with a Standard Curt fifth wheel hitch. Not sure if this helps hope so.

StillCampin · 08-09-2023, 10:34 AM

My 2016 Ram 3500 diesel dually crew cab LWB 4x4 measures 36.25” from the ground for the bed, top of bed rails @ 57.5”. With the Andersen puck version hitch I have plenty of clearance with my lifted E5.0 but it is slightly nose high. My truck has an optional load height 1” lower than std that I use to get the level almost perfect. My tailgate is right at 21” high and barely clears the E5.0 frame when connected & straight.

AndyZ · 08-11-2023, 03:03 PM

Thanks for everyone's input. I have an Anderson rail mount on order, and the camper should ship in the next few weeks. Will tell everyone how it turned out. My plan is to hook this up before making any decisions about lowering the truck's rear suspension. I want at least 7 inches of clearance at the bedrails/tailgate, and I think I'll need the suspension drop to achieve this.

PJBrendel · 10-13-2023, 08:55 AM

I'm looking at a 3500 GMC Sierra. I would love to know how everythig worked out for you AndyZ.

leecallahan · 10-14-2023, 02:08 PM

I picked up my 2023 Escape 5.0 TA on 31 March 2023; it has the body lift kit. My tow vehicle is a 2018 Ram 3500 4X4 SRW 6'4" bed and I use a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch designed to fit the RAM puck system. Prior to pickup, I lowered my Companion hitch to the lowest setting. My bedrails seem very high compared to previous trucks I have owned. Unfortunately, my Escape 5.0 was nose high on pickup day. The Escape pin box was set in the middle setting which allowed me to adjust. From my measurements and calculation, I predicted that I would have 5 inches of bedrail clearance. After adjustment, my bedrail clearance was six inches and the nose height and angle was significantly improved. It is slightly nose high; one looking at it would easily assume it is level. I had little to no squat on my Ram when pin weight settled on 5th wheel hitch. I am very pleased how it worked out. My mileage towing the Escape 5.0 TA is the best from all previous travel-trailers, fifth-wheels and a truck-camper.

PJBrendel · 10-14-2023, 03:35 PM

Thank you for the reply Lee. I'm currently looking at the GMC 3500 and absolutely would like the option of the Escape 5th wheel at some point down the road. It seems that it is possible to combine the two with careful planning, the right equipment and good advice.
I'm very appreciative of your response.

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