F150 Towing a 19' with the truck tailgate down

[True North]

So this s for all you F150 Fellows out there with the 5.5 foot box. I guess any short box truck would be the same.

I'd like to haul a motorcycle or two in the box and pull the trailer, The truck I am looking at is a 2016 F150 with a short box 5.5.

Hauling my bikes (or a quad) would mean the tailgate would have to be down, is there enough room to do that? I mean pulling it straight would be no big deal I wouldn't think but turning hard or backing up jack-knifing may be a problem.

I don't really want to buy a long box because this is going to be my daily driver and parking downtown is already dicey at times with a Honda pilot, because I can just squeeze into a space

T.N

[Jim Bennett]

The situation of opening the tailgate clearance when hitched would be the same for any length box.

After towing a 19 for over 6 years, I never towed with a tailgate, it was either with my Honda Pilot, or an F-350 with the tailgate removed to accommodate a large slide in toolbox.

I f it was an issue, you could always go for a shorter cab and the 6.5' box, just a thought. Or what about removing the tailgate, would the bikes/quad still fit in?

And do watch the payload capacity. An F150 with no options is over 1,000 lbs, but with any options, the tongue weight, bikes, other gear, occupants and so on, it could easily be exceeded.

Hopefully it all works out for you.

[cpaharley2008]

There are options available, like Jack-E-Up that allows you to remove the jack for opening the tailgate clearance. Not sure about your propane tank clearance on sharp turns though, you may need to check with Escape about clearance issues. Jack-E-Up

[Glennrose]

Quite often I'll tow with one of my motorcycles in the truck bed. I planned ahead and bought a truck with an 8 foot box for this purpose. As Jim noted, you can't leave the tailgate down while towing.

[wetzk]

We noticed the Jack-E-Up was mentioned , a question. Is there enough clearance for one on a 2017 Escape 19 with the factory cargo box and propane box?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by wetzk

We noticed the Jack-E-Up was mentioned , a question. Is there enough clearance for one on a 2017 Escape 19 with the factory cargo box and propane box?

Yes, I had to notch out maybe 3" from the bottom of the propane cover, otherwise no problem. Used a sharp knife to cut the plastic cover.

[True North]

Thanks for the replies tha Jack-E-Up looks pretty good.

[cpaharley2008]

Here is a picture of the cut propane cover to clear the Jack-E-Up, the cover cuts easily with a razor knife

[NCBill]

My last truck was a Ford Supercrew with the 5.5 foot bed. My current truck is a Ford Supercab with a 6.5 foot bed. I believe both trucks are the same length (you are just trading interior space for bed space). Myself, while the Super Crew made for a nice vehicle, as a truck it was nearly worthless. I find the Supercab more than adequate for carrying adult passengers in the back seat, and the extra foot of bed length makes the truck bed much more usable.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by NCBill

My last truck was a Ford Supercrew with the 5.5 foot bed. My current truck is a Ford Supercab with a 6.5 foot bed. I believe both trucks are the same length (you are just trading interior space for bed space). Myself, while the Super Crew made for a nice vehicle, as a truck it was nearly worthless. I find the Supercab more than adequate for carrying adult passengers in the back seat, and the extra foot of bed length makes the truck bed much more usable.

A went with the full SuperCrew and 6.5' bed. We love all the space in our back seat for stuff and the dog, and having a pickup for 35 years now, it is still the shortest box I have had.

edit: My first pickup at least 35 years ago was a Toyota Hi-Lux, which definitely was not an 8' box.

[ATHiker]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

There are options available, like Jack-E-Up that allows you to remove the jack for opening the tailgate clearance. Not sure about your propane tank clearance on sharp turns though, you may need to check with Escape about clearance issues. Jack-E-Up

I can understand how the Jack-E-Up allows you to remove the jack to open and lower the tail gate once you are hooked up. But does it allow you to hitch and unhitch with the tail gate lowered?

[NCBill]

Originally Posted by ATHiker

I can understand how the Jack-E-Up allows you to remove the jack to open and lower the tail gate once you are hooked up. But does it allow you to hitch and unhitch with the tail gate lowered?

No. Jack hits the tailgate, ask me how I know.... Jack E Up prevents damaging tailgate, but the gate needs to be up to install the jack.

+1 If I wasn't truck length space limited, the Super Crew with a 6.5 foot bed would be my ideal choice.