Tow Vehicle for Scamp 5th Wheel

[mike gillespie]

I am looking for a 5-6 passenger truck that will work as a tow vehicle for a Scamp 5th wheel and get as good of mileage as possible both when towing and not. So far the Ford 150 seems to be at the top of my list. Any comments on the 150 or other suggestions?

[Eddie Longest]

The new F-150s are really nice trucks. The problem with all the newer full size pick-ups are bed rail height. I don't know why but it looks like each time a new full size P/U body style comes out they raise the bed rail height a couple of inches. My neighbor bought a new F-150 4x4 and the bed rails looks to be 6" higher than my 93 F-250 4X4. Even with a 3" raised trailer I would be careful with the newer full sized pick ups.
I use a 2007 Nissan Frontier crew cab 4X4 to tow my 5th wheel and have been really happy with power and ride. At 50K the only maint. issue is a stuck front brake caliper which I have on order now. I have recently found out Nissan has service programs for V-6 timing chain issues and they have extended the transmission warranties due to internal radiator leaks. Also there is an extended warranty issued on the fuel guage gas tank sending unit.
No matter what you buy do your research on maintenance issues and don't buy a first year production model.
Eddie

[mike gillespie]

Thanks for your comments. I have been concerned about the bed height as well. I will not buy anything until the hitch shop looks at the trailer and the truck I am considering.

[Greg H]

I love Toyota's.

[mike gillespie]

Sadly, I guess I am going to have to look at something smaller than F150, e.g. such as a Tacoma. I called Scamp and they do not recommend a tow vehicle with a box height taller than 50 inches (from the ground to the top of the sides of the bed). That is the height of the smaller trucks, such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado or Ford Ranger. The F150 is high enough that I would have to jack up the trailer. I am not sure I want to do that.

[Greg H]

The four door Tacoma is pretty big inside if you can work with the bed size, I still don't understand why we can't four doors and a full size bed.

[Sharon G]

I just talked to Jim at Scamp today. I have a full size 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500. He said that it would be no problem raising the 5th wheel to tow with our truck.

[Cyndi B.]

We tow with a Tundra.

[mike gillespie]

Okay, so we are getting different stories from Scamp. Can any of you tell me what is involved in jacking up the trailer?

[peterh]

I've been looking at the extended-cab Chevy Colorado (no need for a back seat, I think). It has reasonable-height side rails and their 4-door with the 3.7L 5-cylinder 242hp engine allows an easy 4200-5000lbs towing capacity, looks sharp, and get 17/23 MPG.

[peterh]

Oh, and the Silverado has lower side rails. The F-150's sides are so high they turn the bed into a stylistic feature instead of a working pickup. If you put a truck box in the back you'd need a ladder to get to it. (stupid, stupid, stupid)

[Donna D.]

I love my F-150, but it's a 2000. Also, stay away from the 4x4s, that adds a bunch of height. Raising the height on a trailer can be done several different ways. Cut off the axle, add spacers... then BOLT the axle back on. Or, do as I... change the axle to a 45 degree down. For me the added benefit was 15" tires. Mike, your Scamp is nearly 20 years old. Is it time for a new axle anyway?

[Sharon G]

If you put a truck box in the back you'd need a ladder to get to it. (stupid, stupid, stupid)

DH and I are both short, so we have to carry a step ladder to get things out of our Silverado's bed, or step onto the bumper and climb into the bed. It really IS a PITA.

On the bright side, it is so high that people can't see what's in there so we have never have any of our gear stolen out of it.

Pardon the slight departure from the topic!

[mike gillespie]

So what wears out on these axles? Couldn't someone just check it for me? How much does a new axle cost?

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I love my F-150, but it's a 2000. Also, stay away from the 4x4s, that adds a bunch of height. Raising the height on a trailer can be done several different ways. Cut off the axle, add spacers... then BOLT the axle back on. Or, do as I... change the axle to a 45 degree down. For me the added benefit was 15" tires. Mike, your Scamp is nearly 20 years old. Is it time for a new axle anyway?

[Donna D.]

Oh boy Mike, there's lots of discussion on FGRV about replacing axles and the reasons. In a nutshell, the rubber wears out, dries out, breaks, loses flexibility, etc. Your trailer is a bit of a lowrider, I noticed that the last time I saw it. New axle will run you about $500, plus the cost of removing and rewelding. Utility trailer builders in your area should be able to order a new Dexter and do the work. I replaced the axle on my Scamp about 5-7 years ago. Good decision for me!

If you want to see how the axle on your trailer is doing, put your fist on top of the tire and have Nancy go inside and jump up and down right over the axle. Careful, don't want to smash your hand, but you should have (always) one fist of clearance between the tire and top of the wheel well. If it doesn't move at all or very little, the rubber has lost flexibility. If you can't get your fist on top of the tire to start with, the axle is "dead." If everything works well, then you can have it taken off, spacers up on and bolt the axle back on to the spacer... that will make the replacement when it's time easy peasy.

Others have thoughts for Mike about the axle?