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06-09-2014, 07:14 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Farmville, Virginia
Trailer: 2006 Escape 5.0
Posts: 900
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5.0 and the standard bed Frontier
After my '09 long bed Frontier was totaled, I went looking for a long bed Crew Cab. Lot's of luck .... Appears if you don't order one from the factory, they are few and far between : - ( So, having bought a '11 Crew Cab with a standard (short) bed, I had to figure out how to make it work. Placing the hitch 29" from the back of the cab, thus 10-12" behind the axle, was not an option for me. So here is what I did, and it has worked out great!
- installed a PopUp 10" extension to my King Pin Box.
- installed the hitch 19" from the back of the cab
- installed rear axle Timbren suspension enhancers on the rear axle
Very minimal deflection when the camper is loaded on the hitch, and it drives great! I checked out the turning in a vacant lot, and in full, hard turn, came around a full 270 degrees before coming close to the cab.
Now finally, this weekend is CAMPING!!! Yahoo!!
#1- PopUp King Pin Extender 10"
#2- Extender installed .. not the King Pin is now 3 1/2" lower, necessitating lowering the hitch in the truck bed
#3- No deflection ... level truck
#4- the original King Pin is 29" from the truck cab, but the hitch is closer, over the axle
__________________
__________________
"In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning, I will offer my prayer to you, and wait in expectation" Ps 5:3
'11 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab (5' bed) 09 Escape 5.0
Blacksburg, Virginia (Home of the Virginia Tech Hokies)
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06-09-2014, 07:25 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Farmville, Virginia
Trailer: 2006 Escape 5.0
Posts: 900
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One advantage of the extender is that the trailer is 10" further from the back of the truck, thus allowing me to pull the camper with the tailgate down, and the bed extender in place. This extends the bed for carrying things when we go camping, but I believe will allow for better gas milage by allowing air to flow through the back of the bed ... we'll see
__________________
__________________
"In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning, I will offer my prayer to you, and wait in expectation" Ps 5:3
'11 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab (5' bed) 09 Escape 5.0
Blacksburg, Virginia (Home of the Virginia Tech Hokies)
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06-09-2014, 07:27 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,409
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Looks like it will work good for you, Dan. Have fun camping.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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06-09-2014, 10:04 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 7,866
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hokie Escape
One advantage of the extender is that the trailer is 10" further from the back of the truck, thus allowing me to pull the camper with the tailgate down, and the bed extender in place. This extends the bed for carrying things when we go camping, but I believe will allow for better gas milage by allowing air to flow through the back of the bed ... we'll see
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Hi: Hokie Escape... I'm so glad this is finally working out for you. Happy camping to you both. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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06-09-2014, 11:10 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Clovis, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hokie Escape
One advantage of the extender is that the trailer is 10" further from the back of the truck, thus allowing me to pull the camper with the tailgate down, and the bed extender in place. This extends the bed for carrying things when we go camping, but I believe will allow for better gas mileage by allowing air to flow through the back of the bed ... we'll see
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Any weight added from any extra stuff toward the rear may affect overall performance. The 5.0 is a well balanced and well made 5th wheel. Take it slow and easy and enjoy the ride. After all, it's recreation.
__________________
Don't make excuses for failure, seek ways to succeed.
Mark
Blizzy and Dakota (Da Boyz)
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06-09-2014, 11:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Clovis, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 328
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__________________
Don't make excuses for failure, seek ways to succeed.
Mark
Blizzy and Dakota (Da Boyz)
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06-14-2014, 08:37 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Farmville, Virginia
Trailer: 2006 Escape 5.0
Posts: 900
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Our 1st Trip out with the 5.0 and our new short bed Frontier : it went great, handled just like it's longer brother! Having a shorter frame does make it seem a bit more responsive when backing up   Really pleased!
__________________
"In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning, I will offer my prayer to you, and wait in expectation" Ps 5:3
'11 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab (5' bed) 09 Escape 5.0
Blacksburg, Virginia (Home of the Virginia Tech Hokies)
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06-14-2014, 08:56 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 10,661
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Good for YOU.. make a ton of new memories along the way!
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