Terra 5th Wheel Towing?

[FarmerMatt]

Has anyone heard if the Terra will be 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer capable? Sure hope so. Would be nice to know if a person could tow their smaller 5th wheel holiday trailer and/or their gooseneck stock trailer. I would assume that being body-on-frame construction, one could span across the battery width with standard in-bed hitch rails?

 

[J Alynn]

Has anyone heard if the Terra will be 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer capable? Sure hope so. Would be nice to know if a person could tow their smaller 5th wheel holiday trailer and/or their gooseneck stock trailer. I would assume that being body-on-frame construction, one could span across the battery width with standard in-bed hitch rails?

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting. I gave a little feedback on your other post about goose necks and 5th wheels. Nothing has been stated but total tow weight and bed/rail capacity may be hurdles especially if it is a larger/typical 5th wheel. Lots of talk about towing on the forum. Check out the search button at top and type towing and you find lots of info that’s been discussed to date. Enjoy the forum.

 

[R1TVT]

Has anyone heard if the Terra will be 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer capable?

No.

 

[dreamweaver]

Has anyone heard if the Terra will be 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer capable? Sure hope so. Would be nice to know if a person could tow their smaller 5th wheel holiday trailer and/or their gooseneck stock trailer. I would assume that being body-on-frame construction, one could span across the battery width with standard in-bed hitch rails?

This is the information about a Ford F150 Lightning fifth wheel setup. So Terra, Maybe.

 

[FarmerMatt]

This is the information about a Ford F150 Lightning fifth wheel setup. So Terra, Maybe.

View attachment 8138

That is very interesting, thank you. That is precisely what I hope to also be able to do with the Terra; install standard rails to accommodate both my gooseneck ball plate, and my 5th wheel hitch.

 

[FarmerMatt]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting. I gave a little feedback on your other post about goose necks and 5th wheels. Nothing has been stated but total tow weight and bed/rail capacity may be hurdles especially if it is a larger/typical 5th wheel. Lots of talk about towing on the forum. Check out the search button at top and type towing and you find lots of info that’s been discussed to date. Enjoy the forum.

In regards to towing capacity/weight, my current 2001 F250 (that I want to retire) that I use to haul our small stock trailer and small holiday trailer have nearly identical towing capacity ratings to the predicted Terra ratings. I get that they're not gonna be able tow the monster trailers some people have, but it sure would be lovely if it could tow the smaller units some of us already have. I've actually seen quite a few old conventional 1/2 Tons out there hauling little 5th wheel holiday trailers...

 

[FarmerMatt]

In regards to towing capacity/weight, my current 2001 F250 (that I want to retire) that I use to haul our small stock trailer and small holiday trailer have nearly identical towing capacity ratings to the predicted Terra ratings. I get that they're not gonna be able tow the monster trailers some people have, but it sure would be lovely if it could tow the smaller units some of us already have. I've actually seen quite a few old conventional 1/2 Tons out there hauling little 5th wheel holiday trailers...

 

[Mousehunter]

While I have a reservation on a Traveler, I guess there is always a chance I might change, so I keep track of the Terra threads. I have 2 goose neck trailers I use. One is 8k lbs unloaded-so I seriously doubt I would ever use it and still be under 10k (It might carry the Scout, but the Scout is not going to be towing it loaded). The other is probably 6k, and I often do under 4k loads (I tow that one 10x as often as the heavy trailer). Either way, the Scout will not be replacing my 3/4 ton.

 

[cyure]

While I have a reservation on a Traveler, I guess there is always a chance I might change, so I keep track of the Terra threads. I have 2 goose neck trailers I use. One is 8k lbs unloaded-so I seriously doubt I would ever use it and still be under 10k (It might carry the Scout, but the Scout is not going to be towing it loaded). The other is probably 6k, and I often do under 4k loads (I tow that one 10x as often as the heavy trailer). Either way, the Scout will not be replacing my 3/4 ton.

That’s interesting. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

This is the information about a Ford F150 Lightning fifth wheel setup. So Terra, Maybe.

View attachment 8138

Be careful with this particular thread. The OP of it never followed through and ended up with a different tow vehicle. They stopped well before they even got the CAD files necessary for precisely locating new bolt holes.

The Lightning is capable of towing a 5th wheel or gooseneck, but the installation of a hitch would be incredibly sensitive and potentially dangerous.

For the Terra, if Scout wants to enable 5th wheel hitch installation, they should pre-drill the holes and install the bolts necessary so people can simply pull the bolts, drop in the hitch and re-install the bolts. There will be a lot of stuff to avoid around/over the rear axle, and the risks of major damage are pretty high. It doesn’t seem like it would be possible with the Harvester since that’s where the engine will be.

 

[Chavannigans]

I just dont see a goosneck/5th wheel being supported until they make a 3/4 ton Travelette.

Ill be pleasantly surprised if they do, but would not bank on it for a variety of reasons.

 

[Chavannigans]

This is all we have as far as official information from Scout about towing.

 

[Mousehunter]

Just fun math time. Let's assume EV trucks have 160kw/h batteries and a 100 mile range (1.6kw/mile) while towing a 10k lb trailer. While we are playing with it - my F250 gets about 14mpg while towing, and diesel is $3/gallon. So my F250 is about $0.21/mile. So break even would be about $0.13/kw. Cheaper if you can charge at home, but ouch if you have to pay at a supercharger.

Personally, I guess I could see myself wanting to be able to tow a goose neck in a pinch. It is easy enough to do with a conventional truck, just get a removable drop in hitch. The ball and safety shackles stay in a bag under my back seat, but I have them when I need them. Problem with EV trucks is the the battery takes a lot of the space the drop in receiver under the bed would take. I have never needed to use a 5th wheel - but really don't want to deal with the extra space a 5th wheel setup would take.

 

[R1TVT]

Personally, I've never owned a truck with a 5th wheel, and never had a need to. The only thing I have ever towed on a regular basis is a boat, so no fifth wheel. When I hear fifth wheel, I think big, heavy trailer or camper... For that reason alone, and due to the fact that the inefficiency and requirement for charging when long hauling would not be optimal, if I were Scout I would be intentional about NOT offering a fifth wheel. It doesn't make a lot of sense for many reasons, but that is just 1 opinion. Why would Scout want to take that on, especially dancing around and probably above the limits of tow capacity for many trailers?

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Personally, I've never owned a truck with a 5th wheel, and never had a need to. The only thing I have ever towed on a regular basis is a boat, so no fifth wheel. When I hear fifth wheel, I think big, heavy trailer or camper... For that reason alone, and due to the fact that the inefficiency and requirement for charging when long hauling would not be optimal, if I were Scout I would be intentional about NOT offering a fifth wheel. It doesn't make a lot of sense for many reasons, but that is just 1 opinion. Why would Scout want to take that on, especially dancing around and probably above the limits of tow capacity for many trailers?

I agree.

If you want to work in the EV space and want 5th wheel towing, maybe Edison Motors is a better fit.

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[FarmerMatt]

Personally, I've never owned a truck with a 5th wheel, and never had a need to. The only thing I have ever towed on a regular basis is a boat, so no fifth wheel. When I hear fifth wheel, I think big, heavy trailer or camper... For that reason alone, and due to the fact that the inefficiency and requirement for charging when long hauling would not be optimal, if I were Scout I would be intentional about NOT offering a fifth wheel. It doesn't make a lot of sense for many reasons, but that is just 1 opinion. Why would Scout want to take that on, especially dancing around and probably above the limits of tow capacity for many trailers?

I guess the thing maybe I'm not getting across well enough is that I'm talking about smaller, lighter 5th wheel/gooseneck trailers, which I, and many others have. Ones that fall within the allowable towing ratings. Unfortunately, as soon as many people hear the words 5th wheel trailer, everyone freaks out, assuming they're all big heavy monstrosities . What's the difference between pulling a 5th wheel that grosses 10,000 lbs, and a bumper hitch trailer, say that also is grossing 10k? I'd WAY rather be hauling the former, than having the 10k lbs hanging off the back end of the truck... Weight is right where you want it, just ahead of the rear axle (which is supposed to be a solid real axle, by the way, like a REAL truck), as opposed hanging off the back end of the truck. Long story short, why not, if both style trailers weigh the same, both within the allowable towing specs? BTW, I've seen some hella huge, heavy bumper hitch trailers out there. Just because they exist, doesn't mean you could/should tow 'em. BTW, I'm currently towing these trailers with an 01 F250 3/4 Ton gasser; 10k gross trailer weight limit. Does just fine. Furthest round trip my trailers do here are 200 kilometers. If the Terra has the same or higher ratings, then why not? I don't wanna own two trucks. I want the mechanical simplicity and performance of an EV in a truck, that can do truck stuff. If I wanted a grocery getter, I'd go get a Bolt

 

[FarmerMatt]

I guess the thing maybe I'm not getting across well enough is that I'm talking about smaller, lighter 5th wheel/gooseneck trailers, which I, and many others have. Ones that fall within the allowable towing ratings. Unfortunately, as soon as many people hear the words 5th wheel trailer, everyone freaks out, assuming they're all big heavy monstrosities . What's the difference between pulling a 5th wheel that grosses 10,000 lbs, and a bumper hitch trailer, say that also is grossing 10k? I'd WAY rather be hauling the former, than having the 10k lbs hanging off the back end of the truck... Weight is right where you want it, just ahead of the rear axle (which is supposed to be a solid real axle, by the way, like a REAL truck), as opposed hanging off the back end of the truck. Long story short, why not, if both style trailers weigh the same, both within the allowable towing specs? BTW, I've seen some hella huge, heavy bumper hitch trailers out there. Just because they exist, doesn't mean you could/should tow 'em. BTW, I'm currently towing these trailers with an 01 F250 3/4 Ton gasser; 10k gross trailer weight limit. Does just fine. Furthest round trip my trailers do here are 200 kilometers. If the Terra has the same or higher ratings, then why not? I don't wanna own two trucks. I want the mechanical simplicity and performance of an EV in a truck, that can do truck stuff. If I wanted a grocery getter, I'd go get a Bolt

At least this guy gets me...

https://www.reddit.com/r/f150/comments/105cns2/truck_doing_truck_stuff_now_here_comes_the_hate

 

[J Alynn]

At least this guy gets me...

https://www.reddit.com/r/f150/comments/105cns2/truck_doing_truck_stuff_now_here_comes_the_hate

I don’t tow and no skin in the game. I did work at a campground for a few years when younger so I’ve seen all types. I just think the 5th wheel prep in bed makes things a bit more difficult for daily use bed but again-I’m not doing towing so not even on my radar

 

[chucchinchilla]

I guess the thing maybe I'm not getting across well enough is that I'm talking about smaller, lighter 5th wheel/gooseneck trailers, which I, and many others have. Ones that fall within the allowable towing ratings. Unfortunately, as soon as many people hear the words 5th wheel trailer, everyone freaks out, assuming they're all big heavy monstrosities . What's the difference between pulling a 5th wheel that grosses 10,000 lbs, and a bumper hitch trailer, say that also is grossing 10k? I'd WAY rather be hauling the former, than having the 10k lbs hanging off the back end of the truck... Weight is right where you want it, just ahead of the rear axle (which is supposed to be a solid real axle, by the way, like a REAL truck), as opposed hanging off the back end of the truck. Long story short, why not, if both style trailers weigh the same, both within the allowable towing specs? BTW, I've seen some hella huge, heavy bumper hitch trailers out there. Just because they exist, doesn't mean you could/should tow 'em. BTW, I'm currently towing these trailers with an 01 F250 3/4 Ton gasser; 10k gross trailer weight limit. Does just fine. Furthest round trip my trailers do here are 200 kilometers. If the Terra has the same or higher ratings, then why not? I don't wanna own two trucks. I want the mechanical simplicity and performance of an EV in a truck, that can do truck stuff. If I wanted a grocery getter, I'd go get a Bolt

Overall you have good logic, the main problem here is that the construction of the truck itself might not allow mounting such things in the bed. I just looked up your same question but for a Rivian. Here's what someone said...

"Rivian confirmed no 5th wheel to me by email a few months ago. part of it is that the bed floor isn't attached to the chassis - it's a lid that covers the under-bed cargo/spare-tire area. So you'd have to remove the lid, and attach a fifth-wheel mechanism to the frame in that under-bed cargo area on a booster - which also means saying goodbye to a spare tire."

...with that said I have no idea how the Terra is constructed back there. My gut says it'll be more traditional pickup truck meaning yes, but with Rivian doing what they did maybe not. Would definitely need an official word from Scout on this one.

 

[chucchinchilla]

On a towing note, I've towed several trailers with our ID.4 and it's way better than with gas cars. Smooth starts with no tranny clunking as it goes into gear, having all the power/torque from a stop means effortless acceleration....honestly you have to watch yourself on acceleration otherwise you can easily shift your loads, and the increased regen acts like an engine brake. Sure there's a range hit but you'd have that in a gasser as well.

The only hesitation I have towing with an EV is the lack of pull through fast chargers. Add pull through chargers meaning you don't have to disconnect the trailer to back it into a parking spot and charge, then you have a perfect solution.