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Old 01-29-2016, 12:23 PM   #1
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Escape 5.0TA Towing Questions

We are seriously considering the Escape 5.0TA. Looks like it may be an awesome fit for our needs.

Couple of questions:

1. Our tow vehicle is a short bed (6.5'), double cab, '12 Tundra. We're giving some thought about installing a gooseneck ball and using the Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel hitch. Has anyone used this arrangement with an Escape?

2. We would like to use the 2" receiver on the back of the Escape 5.0TA to bring our PWC (jetski) along on trips. The jetski and trailer combined weigh approx. 1050-1100 lbs. Tongue weight is 75 lbs. Is the Escape's 2" frame/receiver up to the task?

Thank you!!
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:33 PM   #2
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I wanted to do the same thing with a boat. It would save using two vehicles or trips to get to the lake but was told by eti it wouldn't work. Bummer! It would make a nice team. I am still considering anyways. Nice unit.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:38 PM   #3
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I think you need to talk directly to Escape Trailers on this one as I believe the rear hitch is only rated at 150lbs and only they could tell you for sure wether your request is doable.

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Old 01-29-2016, 12:42 PM   #4
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Welcome Kal,
Each state have their own rules on double towing as well as total length. As far as the trailer, it is a 100# weight limit, but you will be pulling which the hitch may not be designed for. More of lateral motion versus static weight. What you do after acquiring, is up to you.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:57 PM   #5
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I have a gooseneck hitch in my truck, and the Anderson Ultimate in my spare room, but am awaiting the build of my 5.0TA.

You could not pull a trailer with the standard receiver mounted on the Escape, but would co like other say, and contact Escape to find out. As well, like pointed out, there are some provinces, like BC, that do not allow double towing, even with the primary trailer being a fifth wheel.
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Old 01-29-2016, 07:37 PM   #6
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All the above posts provide good information, and explain why this idea is not likely viable. To add one more: if you could install a more appropriate hitch receiver on the 5.0TA and if you could convince Escape that it is safe and if the place you're towing allows double trailers... you will probably find that (as in Alberta) the leading trailer must be a fifth-wheel (see Arizona 28-1095, subsection G, 3a), and once you convert to the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection it is no longer a fifth-wheel (it is a ball hitch located in the truck bed) so it wouldn't be legal even here.

I think the two-trailer setup would be a great solution in some cases, and there are lots of places it's legal, but aside from legalities travel trailers (and specifically the Escape 5.0TA) are just not designed for it - the proportions are wrong, with the axle to rear bumper distance being far too long. These are not the trailers you would use in a big rig train configuration.
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Old 01-30-2016, 07:20 AM   #7
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I use the Andersen bed rail version. I love it, its super light and doesn't not make any noise, requires no lubrication or any other maintenance. By comparison, my Reese slider version weighed 150 lbs, the Andersen weighs 38 lbs and is rated higher. You can reverse the direction of the ball to obtain more clearance for short beds, if needed. They are a superior design in my opinion...
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Old 01-30-2016, 07:27 AM   #8
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But does not the Andersen require a bolt on attachment piece? I'd like to save weight over the standard 5th set up but a little leery of bolt on changes.
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Old 01-30-2016, 08:19 AM   #9
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Jim, when I was looking at the 5ta I as considering the Reese hidden 5th wheel hitch. No rails in the bed, you have a "Puck" style attachment. Nice looking hitch if you want to use your truck bed for hauling and not have the rails.
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Old 01-30-2016, 08:22 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
But does not the Andersen require a bolt on attachment piece? I'd like to save weight over the standard 5th set up but a little leery of bolt on changes.
Jim, I'm not sure what you mean by "bolt attachment piece". Do you mean the coupler for the king pin? I can tell you that the rail version drops into any standard bed rail. I've added a few photos for your viewing.
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IMG_0003.jpg   IMG_0008.jpg  
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Old 01-30-2016, 08:51 AM   #11
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How do you attach the trailer to the ball? Is there an attachment? Maybe that is what the video showed, converting the kingpin male to a female attachment to accept the bed ball?
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Old 01-30-2016, 09:04 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don W. View Post
Jim, when I was looking at the 5ta I as considering the Reese hidden 5th wheel hitch. No rails in the bed, you have a "Puck" style attachment. Nice looking hitch if you want to use your truck bed for hauling and not have the rails.
Keeping a clean bed when not towing was important to me, thus the reason I installed a gooseneck hitch, as when the ball is turned over, there are no protrusions into the bed. Then an additional bonus of using the Anderson is the light weight of it making installation and removal easy.

My B&W Turnoverball gooseneck weighs 88 lbs, and the Anderson Ultimate 32 lbs also makes the overall weight somewhat less than most fifth wheel hitches. If one was to use rails to mount the Anderson (not sure of the weight), you could likely save around 50 lbs in weight if that was important.
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Old 01-30-2016, 10:23 AM   #13
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Pullrite is in the game, might be overkill and at a quick glance you may have to use rails. :ISR Series SuperLite 20K | PullRite Hitches

Edit, never mind just watched the video and rails are required.

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Old 01-30-2016, 01:51 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
How do you attach the trailer to the ball? Is there an attachment? Maybe that is what the video showed, converting the kingpin male to a female attachment to accept the bed ball?
There is a coupler that attaches to the king pin, its made a aluminum and is very easy to install. It comes with the hitch. If you'd like, I'll get you some photos.
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Old 01-30-2016, 02:01 PM   #15
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Let me get this straight....I already have turnover ball hidden hitch on my truck so the Anderson ultimate 5 wheel hitch tower will work there? Does the hitch offer the same amount of tilt/play that a good flat plate 5 wheel hitch does?
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Old 01-30-2016, 02:14 PM   #16
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Let me get this straight....I already have turnover ball hidden hitch on my truck so the Anderson ultimate 5 wheel hitch tower will work there? Does the hitch offer the same amount of tilt/play that a good flat plate 5 wheel hitch does?
Yes it will work, and yes that there is good movement allowed by the ball connection.
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Old 01-30-2016, 02:28 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
How do you attach the trailer to the ball? Is there an attachment? Maybe that is what the video showed, converting the kingpin male to a female attachment to accept the bed ball?
Coupler for King Pin on the Andersen Ultimate bed rail version.
Attached Thumbnails
Coupler_1.jpg   Coupler_2.jpg   Coupler_3.jpg  
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Old 01-30-2016, 03:37 PM   #18
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Does ETI install the Andersen?
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Old 01-30-2016, 03:56 PM   #19
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Does ETI install the Andersen?
Their installer (Trademasters) installed my bed rails for my original Reese slider hitch, I don't see why they would not do the same for you. ETI arranged for the installation the day of pick up, you can ask them about doing the same for you. The Ultimate bed rail version will fit any standard bed rail. I installed the coupler myself, but I do know of a another 5.0 TA owner that had ETI install the coupler. The locking handle will mount on either side of the trailer. I installed mine on the driver side, the same side as the landing gear switches for convenience.
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Old 01-30-2016, 04:07 PM   #20
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So Trademasters install the rails and if I stop in Idaho and pick up the Ultimate hitch at Andersen then I'd be all set? That way the rails will fit the hitch perfectly, no? Do you have rear air bags on your ram to keep the rear up?
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