We picked up a used 19' 5th wheel using a '99 Chevy 1500 that we inherited. We already felt ambivalent about the truck, but now it needs unexpected work so we're looking for something else. We're partial to Japanese vehicles, and want a mid-size pickup. The Honda Ridgeline has a goofy bed (and Scamp does not approve of using them) and the Toyota Tacoma has a composite bed, which hitch manufacturers recommend against installing in. I know that some people do this, but it looks like it's pretty difficult to do it right, and my local RV/trailer repair guy is sticking to general hitch guidelines.
That leaves me with the Nissan Frontier, which I'm just starting to research.
Anyone out there have experience with any of these three models towing the 5th wheel with advice or recommendations? We would want a crew cab and ideally 4x4.
The Canyon, Tacoma and Frontier will all do a great job towing a S-19. The problem is there are no out of the box specific hitch rail kits for these trucks. A lot of hitch shops won't install the universal rail kits. I don't know if it is a liability issue, or they can't think out of the box and fabricate a hitch set up or they are just plain lazy. I have seen all three of these trucks tow 5er Scamps and Escapes. You need to ask your hitch man what truck of these three he can install a hitch in.I bet if you deal with this guy he will insist on you getting a 1500 or 150. Been through this on the Escape Forum. IMO You are going to have a hitch installer issue not a hitch issue since universal rails can be fabricated for any of these trucks.
I have over 50K mi. towing a Scamp 5er with a 2007 Frontier, so I have a little experience with mid size towing. I recently moved up to a larger 1500 (and larger bumper pull trailer). The larger truck rides better, has more room and in most cases have a higher payload and you get just as good gas mileage. Downside is parking. Bottom line you may be better off going with a 150/1500 and put a $100 set of lift blocks over your axle if your Scamp is newer than 2010.
Good Luck
Eddie
The Canyon and Tacoma have a couple of years since a redesign so the bugs should be worked out by now. The last major design change of the Frontier was 2005 I guess if it works good why change it. Ford is bringing back the Ranger but never buy a vehicle until second or third year after redesign. Best thing to do is check out the truck forums. Just be aware people with no issues do usually post to Vehicle Forums. Usually they have a towing and hitch subforum which you can gain a lot of info. on hitches.
Eddie
Thanks for the advice!
Hello,
I started a similar search after purchasing a 2018 Toyota Tacoma Off Road double cab. I already had the truck but struggled to find a proper 5th wheel hitch for the truck. "Paul O." on Scamp Owners International came to the rescue as he had installed a hitch in a similar truck years ago. https://www.scampowners.com/forums/scamp-19-tow-ball-height-agl
I had contacted the Scamp factory and was told that they have been mounting hitches directly to the composite bed without any issues. I figured that If the factory is comfortable with it, and if I could make mine a little stronger than the factories, without going crazy, I could be comfortable with the results.
I pretty much followed Paul O's installation with the following exception, I extended the 3/8" spacers that levels the bed between the ribs to reach from the front bed mounting bolts to the center bed mounting bolts. Paul had used the front bed mounting bolts to index the front rail. With the front most rail mounting bolt holes identified, calculating the rest of the mounting holes was easy. I drew the pattern up on a CAD program and had the spacers cut out on a water saw. After bolting the spacer in place drilling the rest of the mounting holes were a no brainer. I ground out webbing underneath the bed, below the rails, and backed up the bolts with 1/4" plates. I also added angle rail mounts, that came with the Reese rail kit, underneath the rear rails.
The rails are now secured directly to the frame with 1/2" bolts in 3 places, on each side, and tied together with 2ea. 3/8" continuous spacers. For a 3,000lb trailer Im pretty comfortable it wont get away.