New Tow For The Escape 5.0 (Experienced Advice Needed)

[Drumstick63]

My wife and I are in the process of looking for a new tow vehicle for our Escape 5.0TA. We previously towed with a GMC 1500 Extended Cab with a 6.5’ bed plus a B&W Hitch and are currently towing with a Ford F250 SuperCrew with a 6.75’ bed plus a B&W Hitch. Both trucks have presented no clearance issues between the truck and trailer at any time, although I don’t know that we have ever been in a situation where we needed to turn the trailer 90 degrees to the truck.

For the new tow vehicle, we are wanting to downsize back to a 1/2 ton truck and are looking at the 2024 Ford F150 and 2024 Toyota Tundra. After much searching, apparent availability of anything longer than a 5.5’ bed is extremely slim with the options we want (even searching nationwide). We have begun to strongly consider the 5.5’ bed as the truck will be a daily driver and we do carry passengers (mostly grandkids and aging parents) from time to time.

With either truck we plan to install a B&W Turnover Ball and use the Andersen Ultimate Hitch Gooseneck Mount (3220). We understand that the 3220 currently manufactured is Generation 3 and has a smaller footprint (welcomed) but also a different setback, putting the ball either closer to the cab or closer to the tailgate by 2plus inches than the previous Generation 2 version. We also understand the the Generation 3 Hitch is slightly taller as well.

We know the Ford 150 with the 5.5’ bed is a popular tow vehicle for the Escape 5.0. The current Toyota Tundra is appealing to us but offers much unknown as it relates to getting a hitch setup with the necessary clearances.

Now for the questions.

Ford F150
Is anyone currently running an 2024ish body style Ford F150 5.5’ bed with the Andersen Ultimate Hitch Gooseneck Mount Generation 3 and if so, are there any issues/concerns with clearance? Would it be better locating an Andersen Ultimate Hitch Gooseneck Mount Generation 2 as that has a longer track record of pulling the Escape 5.0 with the F150 5.5’ bed?

Toyota Tundra
Is anyone currently running an 2024ish Toyota Tundra 5.5’ bed with the Andersen Ultimate Hitch Gooseneck Mount Generation 3 or the Andersen Ultimate Hitch Gooseneck Mount Generation 2 and if so, are there any issues/concerns with clearance?

Damage Incidents
Have any of you that are towing an Escape 5.0 with a 5.5’ bed truck damaged your truck due to clearance issues? We know that it is possible but are wondering just how common it is.

Escape 5.0 Downsizing To Escape 19
On a side note, we are also considering downsizing to an Escape 19 (changing needs) so the new tow vehicle may transition to pulling a bumper pull in the future. Have any of you downsized and do you regret it? With that said, if anyone is looking to move from an Escape 19 to and Escape 5.0 and would consider a trade, please message me to discuss.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Mark McMorris

 

[Centex]

... We understand that the 3220 currently manufactured is Generation 3 and has a smaller footprint (welcomed) but also a different setback, putting the ball either closer to the cab or closer to the tailgate by 2plus inches than the previous Generation 2 version. We also understand the the Generation 3 Hitch is slightly taller as well.....

Just a couple of thoughts .....

• I know that having the Andersen ball ~2" closer to the tailgate than my 'old style' 3220 on the B&W Turnoverball provides would not cause any (closed) tailgate clearance issues for me. Noting that the B&W Turnoverball-to-tailgate dimension is the same for both 6.5' and 5.5' F150 beds (I happen to have the former on my 2022 4x4 F150 SuperCab; also noting that the F150 chassis and bed/cab dimensions have not changed between 2021 and 2024; though 2024 went through a 'style refresh', they are still Generation 14 F150's).
• My pinbox is at the 'standard' (pinbox extended) position and the height with the lifted axle works out fine on my 'old style' 3220 (I'm able to 'level' the trailer). Methinks that if the pinbox were installed at the 2-1/2" higher 'retracted' position, that would allow accommodation of the taller 'new style' 3220 and allow maintaining 'trailer level' within its ball height adjustment range. Of course, this might be moot depending on the actual loaded bed-height of the F150 (or Tundra) you select.

Just for your consideration and further investigation.

 

[Drumstick63]

Thanks Alan!

Since my earlier post I have located a Andersen Ultimate 3220 Generation 2 version so I do have an option to buy that version.

Coming from 6.5' and 6.75' beds, I am a bit unsure about the 5.5 bed. I would really like to hear some first hand setups and experiences with the B&W Turnover Ball and Andersen Ultimate combination with the F150 5.5' Bed. I know it is quite popular combination but want to make sure I understand the setup that provides the best cab, tailgate, and side rail clearance.

The truck we are looking at right now is a Ford F150 4X4 SuperCrew XLT, 5.5' Bed, 3.5 EcoBoost, 3.55 Axle, 7100# GWVR, Tow/Haul Package, 36 Gallon Fuel Tank, etc and I don't want to pull the trigger on it until I know for sure that we will be able to safely tow our Escape 5.0 with it.

Can anybody verify that the above truck with a B&W Turnover Ball and Andersen Ultimate combination will work? Would you consider it a really good setup?

Thanks!

 

[jnfrombigt]

I had a RAM with the short bed and used a 4" offset ball with no issues. I think it was a 5'6" bed. I now have a GMC with a 5'8" bed also using a 4" offset ball and according to the ESCAPE chart I can have up to a 70 degree truck/trailer angle. My Andersen Ultimate is one of the first models. Has the original steel funnel.

 

[Elowen]

Ford F-150 HYBRID

Get an F-150 Hybrid with 7.2kW PowerBoost

At the campsite, the truck will electrify the trailer, just as if connected to shore power ~ truly, a game-changer, especially for boondocking {AC, convection microwave, etc. can all be run "off da' truck"}.

Special order what you want (the wait is not so long now) and consider the super folks at Granger Ford, near Des Moines, Iowa! Their service, professionalism and pricing is second to none.

[We tow our '22 5.0 with a '21 Hybrid SuperCrew 6-1/2' bed, B&W, Andersen, etc.: Yes, it is long, especially around town, but we love it with the trailer].

 

[Centex]

... Special order what you want (the wait is not so long now) and consider the super folks at Granger Ford, near Des Moines, Iowa! Their service, professionalism and pricing is second to none.
.....

Just FYI, the opportunity to order 2024 model year F150s closed on 8/2/2024.

Ordering for 2025 model year is scheduled to open on 8/26/2024, with production estimated to commence later this fall (they're working to build the backlog of 2024 orders in the meantime).

Aside - I ordered my 2022 from Granger Ford and yes, not only was it a great deal financially, but it was also the best vehicle buying experience of my long life.

No comment on the hybrid / PowerBoost suggestion

 

[jnfrombigt]

Get a 2-3 year old GMC low mileage with the 3.0 Duramax get 30 mpg plus on the highway (no trailer) have a better looking truck and you'll save enough to pay for the trailer.


I'm kidding folks. 1-Chevy 2-Fords 3-Rams and a GMC Loved them all Almost forgot the Toyota SR5 even liked it

 

[WillyB]

If you're not running a Ford then......

Honestly, I think any full-size half ton truck will work just fine. We have a Ford with the 3.5 Ecoboost and it works great . You'll find that brand loyalty reigns supreme based on how owns what. Basically, you have lots of good choices.

Just be sure to remember - PAYLOAD is key.

Good Luck!

 

[Drumstick63]

We are pretty set on the standard 3.5 EcoBoost if we go with an F150. Not wanting to go the hybrid route yet. We are just torn between the SuperCrew with the 5.5' Bed and the SuperCab with the 6.5' Bed. If we can make the SuperCrew with the 5.5' Bed work pulling our Escape 5.0 that is what we will likely do. It will be better for us as a daily driver due to occasionally have grandkids or elderly parents riding with us. The specific SuperCrew 5.5' Bed we looked at has a Payload of 1796#. Our current F250 Diesel has a Payload of 1946#. I think the payload will be fine. We just want to make sure that we can setup the B&W Turnover Ball / Andersen Ultimate Hitch combination and have proper clearances with the 5.5' bed. Who has that combination? Does it work? Are you happy with it?

 

[GinoandLinda]

We struggled to find a 6.5' bed as well when we bought our '22 F150. We could buy any 2.7L Ecoboost with a 5.5' bed we wanted. Fortunately one arrived while we were looking and we bought before it was even unloaded.

The 3.5L Ecoboost is the way to go IMHO. Plenty of power on tap. We also like the extra room in 6.5'bed. If you can, get the big 36gallon tank as well. I'm sure the Tundra is a good TV, but the F150 will not disappoint.

 

[Centex]

Maybe start a new thread with title and brief text aimed at grabbing the attention of F150+5.5 bed+Andersen Gooseneck Mount Hitch owners.

I'm sure there are some here with that combination, they just may not have found / read this thread as it is titled.

Most if not all will have the Gen 2 3220 on a B&W turnoverball, but that's now OK for your purposes, eh?

Again, any info you get on 2021-2024 F150s will apply, the chassis, bed, and cab dimensions are the same for all those years.

Just for your consideration, Good Luck!

 

[iamunique127]

We are pretty set on the standard 3.5 EcoBoost if we go with an F150. Not wanting to go the hybrid route yet. We are just torn between the SuperCrew with the 5.5' Bed and the SuperCab with the 6.5' Bed. If we can make the SuperCrew with the 5.5' Bed work pulling our Escape 5.0 that is what we will likely do.

I can't comment on the Ford part of your question but my Gen 2 Tundra CrewMax has the 5'5" box and it works perfectly fine with my new Anderson rail mount hitch.

I previously had a Reece traditional 5th wheel hitch and while it worked perfectly, it was heavy. My payload is limited in the Tundra and I found the Anderson would save me considerable weight so I switched.

I have no clearance issues with the box length but then I prefer not to jackknife the trailer anyway.

Like someone else mentioned, pay close attention to payload of any truck you consider.

 

[brroberts]

A 3/4 ton with only 2000lbs of payload. I guess if I ever replace mine, I’d better start looking for at least 450 - 4500 series trucks.

 

[Drumstick63]

Alan, I think you are right! I need to start a new thread specific for F150, 5.5' bed, with an Andersen Ultimate Hitch Gooseneck Mount.

Thanks again

 

[Keith3]

Isn’t the distance from the rear axle to the tailgate exactly the same whether 5.5 or 6.5 bed?

I also assume the turnover ball is mounted so the gooseneck is in the same position over the axle.

Maybe I’m wrong.

 

[Centex]

Isn’t the distance from the rear axle to the tailgate exactly the same whether 5.5 or 6.5 bed?

The B&W Turnoverball kit GNRK1121 is specified for all 2014-2024 F150.

For all bed lengths (5.5, 6.5, and 8ft) the distance from the back edge of the bed floor (the 'lip' of the bed) forward to the centerline of the ball is 42-5/8". That's the dimension specified in the installation instructions for drilling the hole in the bed for the hitch.

This places the centerline of the ball ~4" forward of the axle centerline (not a specified dimension, that's from my tape-measurement under the truck after my Turnoverball was installed to perfection at the B&W Hitch headquarters / factory in Humboldt, Kansas the day after I took delivery of my truck in Granger, Iowa).

The ball-centerline is forward of the axle centerline to ensure there's no conflict between the stowed / inverted ball projecting below the bed and the differential ('pumpkin') at maximum suspension compression (this explanation provided by the B&W tech who installed my hitch).

B&W sells a 4"offset ball which can be used to relocate the ball to the rear ~directly over the axle centerline. I do not use / have no need for that with my 'old style' Andersen 3220 Ultimate Hitch in my 6.5ft bed. I've done a one-time 'jackknife test' to 'prove" I can cut my trailer to a full 90° angle without cab (or any other) conflict.

That's of no help for the OP's question regarding 5.5ft bed cab clearance.

Note all of these dimensions are specific to the B&W Turnoverball; other brand gooseneck hitch kits designed for 'no frame drilling' may differ by a few inches +/-.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

I would NOT want any modern diesel that requires DEF. thats just a lot of complexity asking for problems down the road.

You mention downsizing to a 19... did you consider a 21C ? thats our favorite Escape, we looked at a LOT of fiberglass RVs at various meetups back when we had a Casita including the E19 and E21, and the 21 floorplan just hit all our buttons. We bought ours almost 8 years ago, and are still quite happy with it, having recently completed a 9900 mile Mexican adventure (with a guided RV caravan company that took us *everywhere* south of the border).

We really like the 'longitudinal' rather than transverse bed, its an almost-queen (technically its a Full XL) mattress. dinette in the back as thats where the cool views usually are, we hardly ever open the front shades. I boosted our solar and battery capacity so we can dry camp until the tanks need dumping/refilling (thats about a week), then we can do it again.

Having had a couple trucks as tow vehicles, and having had the fiberglass shells on both trucks leak and get our gear wet in downpours, we have opted for a full sized RV. Just before that 9900 mile Mexico trip, we got a recent year Ford Expedition 4x4, which is a F150 based SUV, with the Ecoboost 3.5L and 10 speed transmission, as a 2019, it has some engineering improvements over the first gen ecoboost and stuff. Its not perfect, but damn, it was comfortable for that 9900 mile 4 month road trip. Towed the 4500 lb E21 like a dream over all sorts of rough roads. After getting home from that trip, I did get an Andersen WDH hitch because we did feel a little tendency to sway and pitch once in awhile, and the Anderson on our first trip after getting it completely eliminated any of that.

The Expedition 4x4 (not Max) turns in a 42 foot circle, I have to be a little careful not to clip a taillight doing a really tight circle. My tow vehicle for this E21 for most of the years we've owned it was a 2002 F250 4x4 diesel 8' long bed monster truck, that thing had a 62 foot circle, which made tight maneuvers really difficult.

If you prefer chevy, a late model Tahoe would be the equivalent of the Expedition (not Max). or if you prefer the long wheel base, then its a Suburban vs a Expedition Max.. I wanted to be able to parallel park in a normal sized parking space so I got the short version, its still a 3 row SUV with 8 adult seats, its just shy on cargo space if the 3rd row is deployed.

Since there's just two of us, heh, cargo space?

(the 2nd row middle seat does fold down flush, there was something under it when I took this pic... and that plastic thing near the back, that's the cosmetic cover for the hitch, I've stowed it in the under the desk storage along with that cargo net I've not found much use for).

If you /do/ chose to get a late model Expedition 4x4, look for one with the optional HD tow package, that increases the tow capacity to like 9200 lbs, and adds a proper 4L to the 4x4 setup along with a locking rear axle. In the 2018-2020 years we were shopping for, HD Tow is most often found on Limited Stealth edition models, that are loaded with options, many of which I thought were silly until I used them. the '360 degree camera' option is amazing for tight parking these big beasts. The adaptive cruise control that will match the speed of the vehicle in front of you at a distance you can tune? awesome. The side alert system when you're backing out of a blind parking spot? priceless.

 

[jnfrombigt]

I would NOT want any modern diesel that requires DEF. thats just a lot of complexity asking for problems down the road.

You mention downsizing to a 19... did you consider a 21C ? thats our favorite Escape, we looked at a LOT of fiberglass RVs at various meetups back when we had a Casita including the E19 and E21, and the 21 floorplan just hit all our buttons. We bought ours almost 8 years ago, and are still quite happy with it, having recently completed a 9900 mile Mexican adventure (with a guided RV caravan company that took us *everywhere* south of the border).

We really like the 'longitudinal' rather than transverse bed, its an almost-queen (technically its a Full XL) mattress. dinette in the back as thats where the cool views usually are, we hardly ever open the front shades. I boosted our solar and battery capacity so we can dry camp until the tanks need dumping/refilling (thats about a week), then we can do it again.

Having had a couple trucks as tow vehicles, and having had the fiberglass shells on both trucks leak and get our gear wet in downpours, we have opted for a full sized RV. Just before that 9900 mile Mexico trip, we got a recent year Ford Expedition 4x4, which is a F150 based SUV, with the Ecoboost 3.5L and 10 speed transmission, as a 2019, it has some engineering improvements over the first gen ecoboost and stuff. Its not perfect, but damn, it was comfortable for that 9900 mile 4 month road trip. Towed the 4500 lb E21 like a dream over all sorts of rough roads. After getting home from that trip, I did get an Andersen WDH hitch because we did feel a little tendency to sway and pitch once in awhile, and the Anderson on our first trip after getting it completely eliminated any of that.

The Expedition 4x4 (not Max) turns in a 42 foot circle, I have to be a little careful not to clip a taillight doing a really tight circle. My tow vehicle for this E21 for most of the years we've owned it was a 2002 F250 4x4 diesel 8' long bed monster truck, that thing had a 62 foot circle, which made tight maneuvers really difficult.

If you prefer chevy, a late model Tahoe would be the equivalent of the Expedition (not Max). or if you prefer the long wheel base, then its a Suburban vs a Expedition Max.. I wanted to be able to parallel park in a normal sized parking space so I got the short version, its still a 3 row SUV with 8 adult seats, its just shy on cargo space if the 3rd row is deployed.

Since there's just two of us, heh, cargo space?

(the 2nd row middle seat does fold down flush, there was something under it when I took this pic... and that plastic thing near the back, that's the cosmetic cover for the hitch, I've stowed it in the under the desk storage along with that cargo net I've not found much use for).

If you /do/ chose to get a late model Expedition 4x4, look for one with the optional HD tow package, that increases the tow capacity to like 9200 lbs, and adds a proper 4L to the 4x4 setup along with a locking rear axle. In the 2018-2020 years we were shopping for, HD Tow is most often found on Limited Stealth edition models, that are loaded with options, many of which I thought were silly until I used them. the '360 degree camera' option is amazing for tight parking these big beasts. The adaptive cruise control that will match the speed of the vehicle in front of you at a distance you can tune? awesome. The side alert system when you're backing out of a blind parking spot? priceless.

John we don't have any options. Believe me every person getting a diesel knows well the DEF issues. My last truck a 2015 RAM Ecodiesel could not have performed better. I got rid of it not because not because of potential DEF issues but because of potential connecting rod sleeve bearing issues. It's replacement is a crew cab 1/2 ton GMC with the 3.0 Duramax. Now if you can show me a 4WD 1/2 ton crew cab truck with a gas engine that gets better than 30 mpg on the highway...

 

[Drumstick63]

Thanks for the information folks!

We have owned three different diesel trucks over the years. Only one has required DEF. We certainly prefer the pre-DEF models but those are no longer available - unless you purchase an older used truck. We have enjoyed our diesels. We just don't tow anything anymore that requires a diesel.

We have a smaller SUV that is great, but prefer a truck for camping and some other needs.

We looked at the Escape 21C back in 2015 when we purchased our first Escape. We just preferred the 5.0. With our current needs, the 19 would be plenty and we would likely be happy with a 17.

 

[DanandDaphne]

The idea of downsizing from a 5.0 to a 19 doesn't really make much sense especially from the prospective of total tow vehicle and trailer combined length. The 5.0 overlaps the tow vehicle by 4' and is also much closer to the back bumper. The 19 is narrower but if you prefer a truck over an SUV anyway...

You would have to go with a 17 to basically get the same total length as you already have with your 5.0.