What Fifth Wheel Hitch - Escape 5.0TA + Nissan Frontier V6

EscapeR · 03-10-2018, 02:07 PM

Question for those that tow an Escape 5.0TA with a Nissan Frontier or other medium size truck: What fifth wheel hitch are you using? We have an Escape 5.0TA on order with delivery in early August. We have a Nissan frontier V6 we will be towing with and am wondering what fifth wheel hitch to get. I've already checked the payload capacity and all that and we are good to go, but it's close. So, I'm thinking if there are fifth wheel hitches that are plenty capable, but lower weight, that would be good. Thanks in advance.

cpaharley2008 · 03-10-2018, 02:17 PM

Alf is the only member I'm aware that has that combo but he is down south in the US enjoying our warm weather. Hopefully he may chime in soon...and BTW, welcome Daniel.

EscapeR · 03-10-2018, 02:25 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome. I look forward to hearing from Alf if he gets a chance to reply.

algonquin50 · 03-11-2018, 10:25 AM

Hey Guys
Just wanted to let you now that my comments weren't meant to be mean just trying to help.
What people want to tow with is their business; however, many confuse HP and torque. Torque is what tows and I consider 280 lbs fairly weak. Yes, you can tow the 5.0 but I would wonder what the gas mileage would be? I had a Frontier v6 and it worked but it was always hunting for a lower gear and my gas mileage was around 10 mpg. When I switched to a small V8 it was like night and day. No more hunting gears, gas went to 15 mpg as the engine did not have to work as hard with 400lbs of torque. Not to mention wear and tear when driving a trailer at near capacity. Again, not trying to be a jerk, just relating my experience with the my Frontier and the 5.0TA. Tell Erin I said "Hi" when you pick up your new trailer... you are going to love it. Oh, I let Escape (TradeMaster) put the hitch on as they have experience, especially if you use a quad cab. Hope you understand my intentions. Enjoy!!!

Chotch · 03-11-2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeR

Question for those that tow an Escape 5.0TA with a Nissan Frontier or other medium size truck: What fifth wheel hitch are you using? We have an Escape 5.0TA on order with delivery in early August. We have a Nissan frontier V6 we will be towing with and am wondering what fifth wheel hitch to get. I've already checked the payload capacity and all that and we are good to go, but it's close. So, I'm thinking if there are fifth wheel hitches that are plenty capable, but lower weight, that would be good. Thanks in advance.

The lightest hitch out there is the Andersan Ultimate. Don't know what size bed you have but I do know the 6 1/2' on my F150 works great with this hitch.

algonquin50 · 03-11-2018, 11:28 AM

See my new post under mods for tables...perfect for your 5.0
Search Amazon........small, kids, bamboo table

D&R_SC · 03-11-2018, 11:32 AM

We towed a 5.0 TA with a 2007 Frontier 6cyl, 2wd, crew cab, 6’ bed and had no trouble. We weren’t able to pass much on long up-hills, but the combo generally had enough power to get us through 5-weeks in Newfoundland and up and down the US east coast a couple times. We had the entry level Reese hitch, which worked fine, but was quite heavy to move in and out. Our biggest concern was the payload, which as you state was close, possibly too close. Our towing mileage was around 17mpg.
We’ve switched to an F150 with the 2.7 Ecoboost, which has plenty of power for any hills. We also switched to the Andersen Ultimate with the B&W Turnover Ball Gooseneck, which we loved. I recommend the Andersen, but with the Frontier’s “close” payload, using rails rather than the gooseneck might be better choice. I like having the smooth bed that the turnover ball allows, but the B&W is heavy.

**rbryan4** · 03-11-2018, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D&R_MA

We’ve switched to an F150 with the 2.7 Ecoboost, which has plenty of power for any hills.

You did it right David. Life's too short and driving is too challenging to deal with an inferior tow.

cpaharley2008 · 03-11-2018, 12:16 PM

algonquin50, you may want to update your avatar...

Fox hunt · 03-11-2018, 08:56 PM

I have a F 150 short bed 5'5" I use the Anderson with the turn over ball works great no issues with tight turns hauls great.

rubicon327 · 03-11-2018, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Alf is the only member I'm aware that has that combo but he is down south in the US enjoying our warm weather. Hopefully he may chime in soon...

In the meantime maybe this helps
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...tml#post212251

algonquin50 · 03-11-2018, 10:08 PM

WOW! Fantastic fuel mileage considering that is within a few miles of what a 2007 V6 gets without towing a camper. What's your secret?

captmath · 03-11-2018, 10:29 PM

We towed the 5.0 and then the TA with a Frontier 4-wheel drive. Had no trouble until I stupidly climbed Teton Pass. Engine was fine but the transmission didn't like it at all. Oil cooler does not work well at 20 MPH. Traded the Frontier at 95000 when it needed a new catalytic converter. Got a F150 with 3.5 six.

Mark James · 03-12-2018, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeR

Question for those that tow an Escape 5.0TA with a Nissan Frontier or other medium size truck: What fifth wheel hitch are you using? We have an Escape 5.0TA on order with delivery in early August. We have a Nissan frontier V6 we will be towing with and am wondering what fifth wheel hitch to get. I've already checked the payload capacity and all that and we are good to go, but it's close. So, I'm thinking if there are fifth wheel hitches that are plenty capable, but lower weight, that would be good. Thanks in advance.

Currently in the Anza Borrego desert with out 2016 5 TA and our Toyota Tundra 5.7 L V8. 2010 with low mileage. After much research we installed the Demco Hijacker 16 K double pivot hitch. Whisper quiet and fits very snug around the kingpin. Really can’t tell I have a trailer behind me until I put it in reverse. No noise when towing and very stable. Easy to break down or adjust should you want to free up your truck bed. Tundra has a full tow package and a manual transmission shift if you want to control your towing better going uphill or downhill. Otherwise just push the tow button and it works great. Power to spare. No trouble with any mountain passes. Hope this helps.

phalaney · 03-13-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captmath

We towed the 5.0 and then the TA with a Frontier 4-wheel drive. Had no trouble until I stupidly climbed Teton Pass. Engine was fine but the transmission didn't like it at all. Oil cooler does not work well at 20 MPH. Traded the Frontier at 95000 when it needed a new catalytic converter. Got a F150 with 3.5 six.

Showing my Nissan mechanical ignorance. Was your Nissan trannie cooler air/oil, lashed in front of your radiator, or coolant/oil? I can see the second working better than the first. And did/does it lock up in lower gears?

But from what I can glean from other posts, you have a winner with your F150....

captmath · 03-13-2018, 04:49 PM

I think it was in front, but not sure. It was the Nissan tow package. I changed the fluid as soon as we got back to the flat land and never had any trouble.

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