5th wheel hitch

PGDriver said:

Just checking around to see if anyone has successfully installed a fifth wheel hitch on there taco as there are many light weight trailers available these days.

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I don't think it's possible because of the composite bed? Even if the 5th wheel mounts to the bed bolts. The composite would still be between the frame and the 5th.

we did a hide a gooseneck turnover setup in a dodge. it bolts into the frame rails and you cut a hole in the bed for the ball to go though. I don't think the composite bed would matter.

5th wheel would be much more difficult, but i'm sure it still has to mount to the frame

That sounds like the setup I saw on a Tacoma (at the time I had a Ford so I didn't pay to much attention to it...). It looked as if there were about 2" round holes cut in the bed and spacers put between the rails and the frame. The fellow told me he had a hard time finding it, but it was available and he said it worked great. Now I have a Tacoma and want one and know what he meant about hard to find.

postrin said:

we did a hide a gooseneck turnover setup in a dodge. it bolts into the frame rails and you cut a hole in the bed for the ball to go though. I don't think the composite bed would matter.

5th wheel would be much more difficult, but i'm sure it still has to mount to the frame

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The words 5th wheel and Tacoma, dont seem like a good mix.

cj99si said:

The words 5th wheel and Tacoma, dont seem like a good mix.

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why? its easier on a vehicle to tow with a fifth wheel or goose neck then with a regular hitch. it centers the tongue weight more causing less squat. goose necks aren't necessarily huge trailers anymore. there are tonnes of smaller goose necks. I used to tow a lot with my old dodge and towing a 4 horse horse trailer was a lot easier if it was a goose neck.

This is the reason I was looking for a 5th wheel hitch....
http://www.escapetrailer.com/

borderbrat said:

why? its easier on a vehicle to tow with a fifth wheel or goose neck then with a regular hitch. it centers the tongue weight more causing less squat. goose necks aren't necessarily huge trailers anymore. there are tonnes of smaller goose necks. I used to tow a lot with my old dodge and towing a 4 horse horse trailer was a lot easier if it was a goose neck.

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PGDriver said:

This is the reason I was looking for a 5th wheel hitch....
http://www.escapetrailer.com/

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im not much of a camper guy but thats pretty bitchin

i don't know how much different the frames are in the new gen but there is mention of a 2001 tacoma on this site near the middle
http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/fifth-wheel-hitches-accessories.html

and something else for "downsized" trucks near the bottom. i figure as long as its attached to the frame the composite bed wont be a problem.

borderbrat said:

why? its easier on a vehicle to tow with a fifth wheel or goose neck then with a regular hitch. it centers the tongue weight more causing less squat. goose necks aren't necessarily huge trailers anymore. there are tonnes of smaller goose necks. I used to tow a lot with my old dodge and towing a 4 horse horse trailer was a lot easier if it was a goose neck.

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with what the tacoma is rated for would you really see the benefit?

cj99si said:

with what the tacoma is rated for would you really see the benefit?

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if he tows the trailer a lot, hells yea. just less wear and tear on the rear. and 5th wheels look cool lol.

cj99si said:

with what the tacoma is rated for would you really see the benefit?

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Yes, I can see it being a benefit. Especially if you tow a lot and long distance.

PGDriver said:

This is the reason I was looking for a 5th wheel hitch....
http://www.escapetrailer.com/

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Yes, it looks interesting at the first look, but then you find the price ... They want $27K for the base? That's insane. With a few extras that thing will cost you $30K. There are bigger ones out there for half the price!
What makes this one so darn expensive?

Its Quality and light weight.

sechsgang said:

Yes, it looks interesting at the first look, but then you find the price ... They want $27K for the base? That's insane. With a few extras that thing will cost you $30K. There are bigger ones out there for half the price!
What makes this one so darn expensive?

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I have thought about a small lightweight fifth wheel in the past. No one that I can find (Reese, Valley, Drawtite, Hidden Hitch, Curt) makes a fifth wheel hitch for the 05+ Tacoma. I'd be interested if you find a source for one.

i am not sure, but i think i remember flipping through the owners manual a year ago when i got it, and saw a page about towing a 5th wheel trailer...

Well another week has gone by since I email some 5th wheel hitch manufactures and nothing, not even an sorry nothing available. :sosad:

Well starting to hear from manufactures as to the availabilty of 5th wheel hitches for tacomas, Reese emailed the following....

"No-sorry

REESE

________________________________________
From: tw-customerservice
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 10:48 AM
To: Dean Strong
Subject: FW: Reese Website - 5th wheel hitch"
:sosad:

did you ever find one? I also need one.I really like the http://www.turnoverball.com removable