Truck Hitch and bed cover compatibility.

[xring]

I just started my path to escape ownership by purchasing a Tow vehicle. It is an F150 with 5.0 and crew cab 5 1/2 ft bed. I am considering the 5.0 TA but have a few concerns. If I get the Anderson Ultimate fifth wheel hitch is there enough clearance to have a bed cover? If yes how can I tow with one of the tri fold sections left down. Thanks in advance.

[JStelly]

Yes and yes. I have a Fold a Cover. It actually is a quad fold instead of a tri fold cover. In the fully closed position there is about 4-5 inches of clearance from the top of the ball to the underside of the cover. I really like the ability to open the front panel in addition to the rear panel. No need to crawl under or fully open the cover to reach something in the front of the bed.

I have an F-150, 5.5 ft bed and Anderson Hitch with turnover ball configuration.


https://www.foldacover.com/

[JStelly]

I found a photo. If you look closely you can see how the cover is folded when towing.

[TahoeJoe]

Originally Posted by JStelly

Yes and yes. I have a Fold a Cover. It actually is a quad fold instead of a tri fold cover. In the fully closed position there is about 4-5 inches of clearance from the top of the ball to the underside of the cover. I really like the ability to open the front panel in addition to the rear panel. No need to crawl under or fully open the cover to reach something in the front of the bed.

I have an F-150, 5.5 ft bed and Anderson Hitch with turnover ball configuration.


https://www.foldacover.com/

What kind of stuff do you carry in the truck bed when towing? And what do you do when you stop somewhere briefly and you have to leave the trailer...do you unhook the trailer so that you can fully close the cover to secure the items?

[Hawkeye Ed]

Originally Posted by TahoeJoe

What kind of stuff do you carry in the truck bed when towing? And what do you do when you stop somewhere briefly and you have to leave the trailer...do you unhook the trailer so that you can fully close the cover to secure the items?

I also have a Fold-a-Cover, the G4 Elite with a Personal Caddy (a custom bin that fits under the forward panel). Even with the 5.0 hitched I can still get into the personal caddy which is where I keep the valuable stuff that might be pilfered or blow away because the back 3/4 of the bed is open when we travel.

Spendy, but we love it.

[JStelly]

I carry folding chairs, two small folding tables, chocks, leveling boards and two plastic bins with miscellaneous gear. It’s all inexpensive and replaceable. I don’t unhitch when we make a quick stop. I leave it open and have never had a problem. I actually am more concerned that the gear in the back is weather proof or in the plastic bins. In reality, the 5.0 when hitched is close enough to the bed rails and tailgate that it makes it difficult for someone to remove something from the bed of the truck.

I unhitch on overnights and close the cover.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by xring

I just started my path to escape ownership by purchasing a Tow vehicle. It is an F150 with 5.0 and crew cab 5 1/2 ft bed. I am considering the 5.0 TA but have a few concerns. If I get the Anderson Ultimate fifth wheel hitch is there enough clearance to have a bed cover? If yes how can I tow with one of the tri fold sections left down. Thanks in advance.

Yes and maybe. In doing my research I found that depending on bed length and brand of cover not all tri fold will work. That’s why I went with the Fold-a-Cover which is a 4 panel cover. It’s a great product and has held up well. I got the optional tool box and it works good for on the road or picking up groceries.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by TahoeJoe

What kind of stuff do you carry in the truck bed when towing? And what do you do when you stop somewhere briefly and you have to leave the trailer...do you unhook the trailer so that you can fully close the cover to secure the items?

When you have the trailer hooked up it would be difficult for someone to steal my cooler or storage box. Especially with a locking tailgate, which the F150 has. You could probably grab a couple of beers out of it but I’m not loosing any sleep over that

[escape artist]

Hi: xring... We always travel with our Tri fold cover on and open. Lost a length of 4X4 used to put the front feet down on. It blew out of the box in a 70 mph cross wind in Ohio. It's not always light fingers that take stuff!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: xring... We always travel with our Tri fold cover on and open. Lost a length of 4X4 used to put the front feet down on. It blew out of the box in a 70 mph cross wind in Ohio. It's not always light fingers that take stuff!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

😳 hope it didn’t find someone’s windshield 😖

[xring]

Thanks to each of you for all of the info. Since we have such a small bed I was trending toward the type that will fold all the way till the last 4 inches or so like the Bakflip versions but I think this may be a better solution. Seeing it helps a lot, the front opening panel is compelling since I plan on playing with this truck more than working but it shouldn't affect my ability to carry plywood and such. Thanks again.

[JStelly]

Originally Posted by xring

Thanks to each of you for all of the info. Since we have such a small bed I was trending toward the type that will fold all the way till the last 4 inches or so like the Bakflip versions but I think this may be a better solution. Seeing it helps a lot, the front opening panel is compelling since I plan on playing with this truck more than working but it shouldn't affect my ability to carry plywood and such. Thanks again.

If you go with the Fold a cover on an F-150 consider getting the “bed side step” option on both sides. It makes reaching into the front of the bed much easier.

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by JStelly

If you go with the Fold a cover on an F-150 consider getting the “bed side step” option on both sides. It makes reaching into the front of the bed much easier.

How much is the Ford Fold a cover?

[kavm]

Does anyone use the retractable cover - like Retrax? The 2021 F150 has a retractable cover option that we are interested in getting. I am guessing that there would be no problem with the 5.0 hitch - as we are getting the 6.5' box.

[xring]

Well the Foldacover store is closed due to covid I have sent them a message asking if it is both online store and Location but have not received a response.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by kavm

Does anyone use the retractable cover - like Retrax? The 2021 F150 has a retractable cover option that we are interested in getting. I am guessing that there would be no problem with the 5.0 hitch - as we are getting the 6.5' box.

I looked into these covers early on. Looked to be a quality cover , offering decent security and a nice look. What turned me off was that the area taken up by the rolled up cover is useless. You can’t use it for anything so you have to subtract it from what you have. No thanks.

[xring]

Originally Posted by xring

Well the Foldacover store is closed due to covid I have sent them a message asking if it is both online store and Location but have not received a response.

I still haven't received a response to my e-mail and when I call the phone number I get a message saying the phone is no longer in service. I guess I will need to find another cover but I liked the concept of the front opening flap. and the box and step rails looked good also. any suggestions are appreciated.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Chotch

I looked into these covers early on. Looked to be a quality cover , offering decent security and a nice look. What turned me off was that the area taken up by the rolled up cover is useless. You can’t use it for anything so you have to subtract it from what you have. No thanks.

Sorry for the slow response. I was away! Thank you very much for responding! Indeed - the space aspect is a bit of a concern.

We are getting a 6.5' box. Being new to this - we don't fully know the opportunity cost of the space. Our style is fairly minimalistic - and while that will flex up to E5.0, we are starting from a low base.

I guess hard folding type (OEM) is the alternative but not sure if it might interfere with the hitch.

[xring]

OK since fold a cover looks like they are belly up I was looking for a bedcover with a front opening panel. The extang encore has this. However it is a trifold not a quadfold it looks like the front panel is wider and that concerns me that I couldn't use it with fifth wheel hitch installed if anyone has used it and can give me an informed opinion i would appreciate it here is a link
https://tonneaucoversworld.com/p/ext...tonneau-cover/

[Mszabokc]

Have a roll and lock on a f150 5.0