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Old 08-24-2017, 06:51 PM   #1
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Hitch recommendation for a 5th wheel?

We're looking at buying a new 5.0 TA over the next year or so. I want to get the hitch before I head for Washington. What hitch are they installing for these 5th wheel rigs? As long as I have the correct make and model hitch, I will get one for my truck and install it myself.

Thanks for any help!

Frank
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Old 08-24-2017, 07:10 PM   #2
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I installed a B&W patriot, excellent hitch, very solid easy to use unit. Down side is its fairly heavy.

Fwiw, I had a local truck performance shop order it for me, saved a big shipping charge.
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Old 08-24-2017, 07:30 PM   #3
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Like this one? https://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel...waAq5pEALw_wcB

Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
I installed a B&W patriot, excellent hitch, very solid easy to use unit. Down side is its fairly heavy.

Fwiw, I had a local truck performance shop order it for me, saved a big shipping charge.
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Old 08-24-2017, 08:15 PM   #4
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A lot depends on your rigs bed length as to whether you'll need a slider or not. As a general rule, best to have the hitch right over the rear axle. You'll get plenty of opinions here from standard 5th wheel hitches to gooseneck bed ball mounted Andersen hitches. All have merit, me?, I got a 3/4T diesel and have a 15K sliding bar hitch that is fairly easy to take apart in two parts and put away, leaving the bed rails. I installed it myself and have put 8-10K miles pulling my TA with it. No muss, no fuss, no play in it yet and it's simple and inexpensive...
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Old 08-24-2017, 08:34 PM   #5
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Buy in Canada

Get it at Trademasters Automotive in Chilliwack. An expert crew, great customer service, pay in CAD$. Anderson Ultimate hitch was my choice because it's excellent and lightweight.
They have a special relationship with Escape and will recommend what works best to marry your truck to your Escape model.
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Old 08-24-2017, 08:37 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobnjudy View Post
Get it at Trademasters Automotive in Chilliwack. An expert crew, great customer service, pay in CAD$. Anderson Ultimate hitch was my choice because it's excellent and lightweight.
I had a brand new Ford F-150, the 5.0TA was a new model. I could have bought something cheaper and something local... but Reace had the same size bed in his F-150 towing a 5.0TA and Trademasters KNEW where the hitch needed to be placed. I wasn't about to risk a disaster or a bunch of extra holes in my brand new truck to save a few bucks. Trademasters installed what I needed

For me, it was a one-and-done. Not a do-over, do-over, do-over
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Old 08-24-2017, 08:56 PM   #7
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Agree

Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
I installed a B&W patriot, excellent hitch, very solid easy to use unit. Down side is its fairly heavy.

Fwiw, I had a local truck performance shop order it for me, saved a big shipping charge.

A BW hitch is an excellent choice and you don't have to worry about using safety chains in some states. No slop in the hook up, much quieter. Just one guy's opinion.
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Old 08-25-2017, 02:02 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frank_a View Post
We're looking at buying a new 5.0 TA over the next year or so. I want to get the hitch before I head for Washington. What hitch are they installing for these 5th wheel rigs? As long as I have the correct make and model hitch, I will get one for my truck and install it myself.

Thanks for any help!

Frank
Hi: frank_a... If you can make it over to Niagara Wine Escape at the Falls Sept 15- 17th. you will be able to see at least 5 different 5.0TA's and their respective tow set ups. You'd be most welcome to camp with us or visit for the day at the Riverside Park& Campgrounds.Riverside Park Campground and Motel Niagara Falls Ontario Canada Call 905-382-2204 to make a reservation for camping. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 08-25-2017, 04:15 AM   #9
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Darn Alf! I'll be near Olcott all that weekend manning a booth for the Clan Campbell at the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival. I can't see getting away for the Niagara Wine Escape Rally. Hmmmm....

Frank
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Old 08-25-2017, 05:28 AM   #10
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Mine's not a slider, just the straight 16k patriot. They have it on the site at etrailer.com
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Old 08-25-2017, 06:39 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobnjudy View Post
Get it at Trademasters Automotive in Chilliwack. An expert crew, great customer service, pay in CAD$. Anderson Ultimate hitch was my choice because it's excellent and lightweight.
They have a special relationship with Escape and will recommend what works best to marry your truck to your Escape model.
I did the same thing; couldn't agree more.
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Old 08-25-2017, 07:44 AM   #12
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I have been using an Andersen Ultimate for a couple years now, and it has worked great. I went with the gooseneck mount for attachment. I can have it out of my bed in a couple minutes, leaving the bed with nothing at all protruding. Maybe 3 minutes to install again when needed. The hitch is so light I can pass it over the side to my wife if she is around. A great solution if you have need for an empty bed for other uses when not towing.

Hooking up is really easy, as you only need to within a couple inches. Not a hint of noise like some other hitches have either.

There are a few folks here using either the same setup, or the simpler rail mount one.

If your hitch is going to be permanently mounted, then the advantage of this hitch is less.

https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...onnection.aspx
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:04 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frank_a View Post
Darn Alf! I'll be near Olcott all that weekend manning a booth for the Clan Campbell at the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival. I can't see getting away for the Niagara Wine Escape Rally. Hmmmm....

Frank
Hi: frank_a... Gee... so close yet so far away!!! If any family members can get over to have a look on Sat am... they'd be most welcome. We'll have some classic's and even a new 2017 5.0TA there for inspection. Come on down & see how we measure up.
We love camping at Lakeside Beach St. Pk. Alf
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:05 AM   #14
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That would be perfect for me. I have looked at that hitch before and marveled at its simplicity, construction and weight. I want to be able to remove the hitch. Do you know whether it will work in both 6.5 and 8' beds?

Some of the late model 3/4 ton 4 door pickups I have been looking at already have a 5th wheel hitch, but they're in the minority.

My other problem is I want to haul two small (13' and 15') kayaks! And two bikes!

Thanks!

Frank

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
I have been using an Andersen Ultimate for a couple years now, and it has worked great. I went with the gooseneck mount for attachment. I can have it out of my bed in a couple minutes, leaving the bed with nothing at all protruding. Maybe 3 minutes to install again when needed. The hitch is so light I can pass it over the side to my wife if she is around. A great solution if you have need for an empty bed for other uses when not towing.

Hooking up is really easy, as you only need to within a couple inches. Not a hint of noise like some other hitches have either.

There are a few folks here using either the same setup, or the simpler rail mount one.

If your hitch is going to be permanently mounted, then the advantage of this hitch is less.

https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...onnection.aspx
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:13 AM   #15
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I've been wanting to go to this rally for years, but it's always a conflict with something! When we retire, I will be doing even more Clan Campbell activities all over the place.

This is the first booth I have run for the Clan. As I get some experience, and my two sons do as well, it will be easier to play hooky. This year will not be good.

Thanks!

Frank

Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
Hi: frank_a... Gee... so close yet so far away!!! If any family members can get over to have a look on Sat am... they'd be most welcome. We'll have some classic's and even a new 2017 5.0TA there for inspection. Come on down & see how we measure up.
We love camping at Lakeside Beach St. Pk. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:22 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frank_a View Post
I've been wanting to go to this rally for years, but it's always a conflict with something! When we retire, I will be doing even more Clan Campbell activities all over the place.

This is the first booth I have run for the Clan. As I get some experience, and my two sons do as well, it will be easier to play hooky. This year will not be good.

Thanks!

Frank
Hi: frank_a... So what you're sayin' is if you could play hooky you'd be the one in the "Kilt". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 08-25-2017, 09:00 AM   #17
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Actually Al, both my grown sons and I will be kilted through the weekend, or at least whatever time we are at the booth. I love wearing the kilt! I have 4, one Black Watch, two Ancient Campbell and a Wallace. Of course, I love eggs too (both kinds)!

Frank
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Old 08-25-2017, 09:12 AM   #18
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Another enthusiastic vote for the Andersen hitch. We got our 5.0TA last year, and I have loved the ease of everything associated with the hitch.

I think our bed is 7 1/2 feet and it works great. Yes, you have to use chains, but that's just a few second process. No chucking or noise. It's a wonderful thing!
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Old 08-25-2017, 10:30 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frank_a View Post
Do you know whether it will work in both 6.5 and 8' beds?

Some of the late model 3/4 ton 4 door pickups I have been looking at already have a 5th wheel hitch, but they're in the minority.
It will work in either bed.

Why go any bigger than a 1/2 ton? They have plenty of power. I was very keen to sell my F350. I have had 3/4 or 1 ton diesels for over 25 years, and they certainly did well towing my heavy construction trailers. Heck, I have towed 4,500 kg once with my 3.5 EcoBoost, and it performed extremely well.
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I love wearing the kilt!
I have often thought of falsely claiming being a Scot so I could wear one, as the comfort and coolness level would be wonderful. My wife is half Scottish, would that qualify me?
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Old 08-25-2017, 10:52 AM   #20
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My "thing" is having twice the rated tow capability of whatever the max load is. I don't want to be holding folks up hauling over the Rockies. And yes, some of the newer 1/2 tons can do that, but I can't afford a new truck. I have a budget of around 25 grand (U.S.) to get a tow vehicle. I want a 4 door truck and some way of hauling our two kayaks and two bikes.

Regarding the kilt, anybody that wants to wear one can. Especially if you're Canadian, lol. I bet you have Scot heritage anyways. I had a grandmother who was a full blooded Scot, and a Campbell. Her mom was a Wallace. And if I go further back, I can find more. That's enough! Darn kilts are pricey!

Thanks Jim,

Frank

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
It will work in either bed.

Why go any bigger than a 1/2 ton? They have plenty of power. I was very keen to sell my F350. I have had 3/4 or 1 ton diesels for over 25 years, and they certainly did well towing my heavy construction trailers. Heck, I have towed 4,500 kg once with my 3.5 EcoBoost, and it performed extremely well.

I have often thought of falsely claiming being a Scot so I could wear one, as the comfort and coolness level would be wonderful. My wife is half Scottish, would that qualify me?
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