Maintenance & Restoration

Earl E. November · 08-10-2011, 01:51 PM

Anyone ever put a 5er behind a Ford Sport Trac?

I just agreed to buy a 5er, but with the molded composite box, putting the hitch in it seems to be a bit of a problem.

Also I am concerned the hitch ball to the top of the bed, might be more than the 5er can handle.

Really not into trading trucks right now either.

Greg H · 08-10-2011, 04:47 PM

Supposedly it can't be done, nobody makes the hitch for the Sport Trac, after all it's not a real truck.

Donna D. · 08-10-2011, 06:16 PM

A composite bed isn't the problem... maybe the bed size is too short? There's a pretty large group of owners that are towing Scamps, Escape and Bigfoot 5th wheels with composite box trucks and are doing it successfully. Do you need help finding the threads that discuss the hitch setups?

Earl E. November · 08-10-2011, 08:15 PM

Thanks Donna,
We put it up on a hoist so we could see better ad I think it is do-able, but would like to take a look at the other's adventures.
I haven't had any luck with searching it so would greatly appreciate any help.

Donna D. · 08-10-2011, 08:22 PM

Earl, here's one topic of Issac's that shows a Toyota Tacoma (composite box): http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post102404

And here's Taylor's post, similar stuff: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ink-36300.html

Don't let just the "composite" box stop you from achieving your desires!

floyd · 08-10-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl E. November

Anyone ever put a 5er behind a Ford Sport Trac?

I just agreed to buy a 5er, but with the molded composite box, putting the hitch in it seems to be a bit of a problem.

Also I am concerned the hitch ball to the top of the bed, might be more than the 5er can handle.

Really not into trading trucks right now either.

What year is your Sport Trac?

floyd · 08-10-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg H

Supposedly it can't be done, nobody makes the hitch for the Sport Trac, after all it's not a real truck.

Every truck has to have the Scamp supplied hitch adapted to it.
So just what is a real truck?

Earl E. November · 08-10-2011, 08:41 PM

Pretty sure this is going to work.. First off the hitch I have is either an older one or a home made, but it will do..
Because of the ribbing in the bottom of the box I will need a filler plate, which I have.. Then the front box mounting bolt will hold the front. The back will need a spacer between the box and the frame, but it should work.
Might weigh as much as the trailer, but it will work.

Real Truck =anything other than Ford Sport Trac, preferably with 1 ton rating or above :-)

Greg H · 08-11-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floyd

Every truck has to have the Scamp supplied hitch adapted to it.
So just what is a real truck?

Floyd I think you know what a real truck is, A Sport Trac is a factory built basically a Ford Explorer with a plastic bed instead of the regular Explorer cargo area. A Sport Trac is not a truck and neither is a Chevy Avalanche. Do you need anymore help?

floyd · 08-12-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg H

Floyd I think you know what a real truck is, A Sport Trac is a factory built basically a Ford Explorer with a plastic bed instead of the regular Explorer cargo area. A Sport Trac is not a truck and neither is a Chevy Avalanche. Do you need anymore help?

I get your point, but a Sport-Trac has a separate box, [not just a cut-out SUV] and a full frame. It used a Ranger frame until 2007. The newer ones were still body on frame construction with a separate box.
Switching to the Explorer frame gave it a V8 option, independent rear suspension, and increased it's size.
The Avalanche blurs the line by using an SUV body on a frame,
The Honda Ridgeline perhaps actually crosses the line , being a uni-body with a trunk in the rear floor!
Do you remember the 1957 Chevrolet Cameo project? Or Ford's version of an attached box truck in the early sixties.
My brother once got a ticket for driving a Ranchero on a boulevard[no trucks allowed.]

Now a Subaru Brat...

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/02...y-pickups.html

Greg H · 08-12-2011, 03:26 PM

How about a Dodge Rampage, Chevy El Camino, GMC Sprint, or a Ford Ranchero? I even think there was a Ford Falcon with a bed.

Donna D. · 08-12-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl E. November

Because of the ribbing in the bottom of the box I will need a filler plate, which I have..

Earl, did you look at Taylor's pics. His Tacoma has a ribbed box and he didn't use a filler plate (that I can see), I know it works well because I've camped with he and his wife since he put the hitch in the Tacoma.