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Old 07-24-2018, 03:47 PM   #1
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Fifth Wheel Details

Been looking for details on what modifications are needed on my 2017 Silverado 3500HD to install the fifth wheel connection for an Escape 5.0TA.
Anyone know of any videos online or any documentation? Escape customer support sent me here to ask any and all questions.......
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Old 07-24-2018, 03:59 PM   #2
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Welcome John, from an ex-baltomoron who went to UMCP and frequented those Rockville pubs.
Escape in Chiiliwack has a business relationship with Trademasters, in Chilliwack who handle some of the hitch installs for Escape customers. They can probably guide you for specific issues for your truck, I assume for a 5.0 TA.
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Old 07-24-2018, 04:35 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Welcome John, from an ex-baltomoron who went to UMCP and frequented those Rockville pubs.
Escape in Chiiliwack has a business relationship with Trademasters, in Chilliwack who handle some of the hitch installs for Escape customers. They can probably guide you for specific issues for your truck, I assume for a 5.0 TA.
Cheers!
Thank you for the detail. I will followup with them this week....
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Old 07-24-2018, 06:03 PM   #4
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they are great did my fifth wheel hitch on my F150.
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Old 07-24-2018, 06:04 PM   #5
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What is involved? Did you have to get a new tailgate, etc?
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Old 07-24-2018, 07:45 PM   #6
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The only 1 ton I know of had the trailer axles flipped (pre torsion axle), to accommodate the higher bed of the F350, you may need the same. I'd imagine the pin box may need tweaking too but both of these things will be determined when you send the truck bed measurements to ETI. You could probably call ETI and give them the bed and bed rail height to find out.

I wouldn't think you'd need any mods to the truck itself other then installing the hitch of your choice, Trade Masters is a good place to try, they know the 5.0TA and will get you setup correctly. The only other thing I did to my F150 was add an in bed 7 pin connector for convenience sake.

They make cut out tailgates for 5th wheels, I see them occasionally on folks hauling big trailers but I've not heard of anyone having such with an Escape, your choice. Google 5th wheel tailgate to see them. A coworker used to pull his tailgate when he was towing, again it was one of the big boys. I guess you don't have to worry about hitting the trailer with it when open, or forgetting to open the tailgate when backing up.
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Old 07-24-2018, 07:51 PM   #7
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Thank you for the info.
I will contact Trademasters for quotes..........

Cheers!
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Old 07-24-2018, 08:23 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by johnmaci View Post
Thank you for the info.
I will contact Trademasters for quotes..........

Cheers!

Ask if the quote you are getting is in Canadian dollars ( about 75 cents U.S. ).
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Old 07-25-2018, 08:39 AM   #9
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What’s the wall height on your truck? When I ordered my 5.0TA ETI recommended staying with a stock trailer height for trucks measuring up to 58”. My F150 is 56” and the trailer works perfectly. I’m using Anderson Ultimate rail mounted hitch and highly recommend it. Installed it myself, about 6 hours. Probably do it in 3 now I know exactly how it’s supposed to go. Did a lot of measuring before putting holes in bed. Got the hitch and rail mount at E Trailer as well as 7 pin connector for inside bed.
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Old 07-25-2018, 08:58 AM   #10
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What is involved? Did you have to get a new tailgate, etc?
Hi: johnmaci...What you do with the tailgate is your choice. I know "C&G in FL" use a F150 custom fifth wheel tailgate. On our new2me Ram EcoDiesel 4X4 I can open the gate, back under and hook up, then close the stock gate. I do need a step stool to reach in to hook the breakaway switch pin though. Seems I was built closer to the ground than these new pickups. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 07-25-2018, 09:10 AM   #11
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I'm towing our 5.0 TA with a 2016 F-250. The sides of the truck are 57" high at the axle and pulls the trailer level with plenty of bed clearance. As far as mounting a 5th wheel, GM and Etrailer among others sell a frame mount for under the truck bed that the corresponding 5th wheel hitch quickly and easily mounts into. Curt, B&W and Reese make hitches that fit to the frame mount. When the hitch is removed plugs are put into the four mounting holes to give you a flat smooth truck bed. I have the Ford frame mount version.
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