Hello All, been enjoying and learning from the forum. My thanks to all the contributors past and present.
Did a search without success so here goes, a newbie thread ...
By way of introduction, we're long time small, pop up truck camper owners. Done lots of off highway gravel exploring and bush camping. We have next to no towing or travel trailer experience but it's time for a new camper and a change so we've gotten in line for an Escape !
Original plan was for a 19 to be pulled by a future purchased, small suv, with our existing large truck as a possible, occasional alternative. Further thinking soon morphed that to a 21NE pulled exclusively by the large truck. Now I'm considering the 5.0 for a few reasons, not the least of which is the ~4 foot shorter OAL of the combined rig (I reckon).
Now to the kicker ... the truck is a 1 ton diesel cab and chassis, heavily sprung, with a custom deck on it. It's long (think full size CCLB) and the deck unladen is ~42" high - I know I'll have to check if fabrication for the hitch is even doable.
And also, the deck overhangs the rear axle by ~60". I'm guessing that would put the fifth wheel pin for the 5.0TA about 16" behind the axle. The effect of this variance from the more usual, ahead of the axle hitch placement, and specifically with a relatively lightweight fiver designed to work with a short box half ton, is a complete unknown to me.
As a neophyte I'll be concerned about maneuvering and fitting into camp sites and parking spots. And at home I'll have to turn around in a sometimes busy cul de sac.
Would my particular proposed set up potentially have towing and maneuvering benefits over conventional towing the "longer overall" 21. Would a newbie even know the difference ?
Finally, for gravel haul roads, might the fifth wheel setup have any advantages over conventional hitch ?
Many thanks !
~snas
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