Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Towing: New Andersen WD hitch

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Topic: New Andersen WD hitch

Posted By: BenK on 02/13/12 11:59am

They do store whatever energy is imparted on them. It is how they release (rate
of change) that energy that makes the big difference

Chains do NOT stretch 'as' much as plastic straps, but chains DO stretch and store
energy. Why the links are oval and not round. Also, the fragmentation is dependent
on the alloy/hardness of the chain links

I've seen chains snap and fragment during acceptance certification testing of
our equipment for cranes. Big cranes. Also saw how some of those fragments
embedded themselves in metal cabinets. Been decades since a designer and now
see plastic straps where chains were the norm. Cable was also used, but not
as often as their maintenance schedules required change often....again, wonder
how plastic straps are now allowed.

Do know that for public road trucking of metal (sheetmetal, plate, etc) does NOT
allow plastic straps on bare metal. Accident would have the plastic straps cut
in an instant

Speculation on my part of this hitch system. As I do NOT know the properties of
the plastic compression springs. Therefore their energy release characteristics
Nor their compression characteristics...will they become un-compressible within
some compression distance like a coiled steel spring?

Posted By: rexlion on 02/13/12 03:56pm

I went by my local trailer repair shop today to have the brakes looked at on my cargo trailer. Lo and behold, they had an Andersen on the shelf! The employee behind the counter said that when they first came in he thought it was the stupidest thing and would never work. Then they had one purchased and they installed it. He said he is now convinced that the Andersen is great. The customer loves it and called them up after about 500 miles of towing to say how well it took out the usual up-and-down motions when going over bumps. And get this... he says the Andersen at rest puts NO pressure on the coupler latch! He said he didn't believe it till he saw it, but they were able to pull the latch lever up and disengage the latch, then reengage it freely, while the chains were loaded up. He thinks the ball is being pushed toward the upper and forward part of the ball socket, keeping pressure off the latch.

I told him I would have to see it to believe it, because I can't visualize it. But I know this guy, I'm in the place fairly often, and I don't think he would lie to me. I think the actual installed unit really changed his mind, once he saw it under load for himself.

Posted By: newsomer on 02/13/12 05:00pm

OK rexlion, your post nudged me over the line. I guess I'll be the guinea pig here. I just ordered a Andersen 3380 weight distribution hitch from a guy on eBay. Got it for $409.00 with free shipping and 60 day return policy (I pay return shipping if it comes down to it). There's another selling the same for $399.00 but has a 7 day return policy.

I should be able to recoup maybe a couple of hundred for my old hitch.

I'll post my impressions of the Andersen hitch after I've had a chance to give it a workout. Wish me luck.

* This post was edited 02/13/12 05:42pm by an administrator/moderator *

2015 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 36LA
To Infinity, and Beyond! - Our Campsites (Bing Maps)

Posted By: BenK on 02/13/12 05:54pm

newsomer wrote:

Note that the latch assembly won't instantly break if there is too
much on it. Also dependent on what kind of coupler/latch you have.
The images posted earlier shows some with no upper dome contact towards
the rear, so the latch on 'that' type will see all of the forces. Others
do have the upper dome curve down in the rear, so below the ball flat
spot will touch and take the Andersen forces.

The big question is how long and what about during an emergency situation

What is your setup?

Good luck and report back often

Posted By: newsomer on 02/13/12 07:14pm

Well, I just went to look and our ball receptacle doesn't have the back structure other than the latch and a plate at the bottom below the latch. I'll have to take this up with Andersen and ask if they tested their hitch with these type of latches. Worse comes to worse we'll just be out the return postage, not good but not all bad.

I just emailed my question to Andrew with Andersen Hitches: "Our trailer outlined in an earlier email I've sent you has a hitch designed with a ball receptacle that has no structure to support forward force of the trailer other than the ball retainer latch and a moderately thin plate below the latch. My not classically engineering educated mind tells me your system pulls the trailer forward putting a good amount of pressure on this latch. Have you have tested this hitch on this type of ball receptacle?"

While composing my question I thought about the way it works. If our ball receptacle is designed to take intermittent forward force from the trailer while going down hills and initial bumps from rapid stopping I'm not sure there will be a problem. Nonetheless I will be taking special interest in the condition of the latch every time I hook up.

* This post was edited 02/13/12 07:39pm by newsomer *

Posted By: handye9 on 02/14/12 11:58am

newsomer wrote:

I too, took the plunge. The brown truck should be dropping it off today. Might be a month or so, before I get to use it.

18 Nissan Titan XD
12 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Wife and I
Retired Navy Master Chief (retired since 1995)

Posted By: Lady Fitzgerald on 02/14/12 01:37pm

I'm looking forward to seeing some actual usage based reviews.

Jeannie

Posted By: newsomer on 02/14/12 08:06pm

handye9 wrote:

Might be a month or so, before I get to use it.

If you're still in Park City I can believe that. Until two years ago we were practically neighbors. Our son still lives in Round Lake Park.

Since we live in SW Georgia now I'll probably have a chance to give mine a tryout within a couple of weeks after it's delivered.

Update: Our hitch has been shipped! Last location notice from UPS said it has departed Salt Lake City enroute to Doraville, GA. Estimated delivery to our place is 20 FEB.

Also, sadly I located an online retailer that sells the one we ordered (with 6" drop shank) for $389.00 with free shipping. If you're interested you can find this (HERE).

Andrew hasn't replied either. He may be reading over the thread.

* This post was edited 02/15/12 08:13am by newsomer *

Posted By: Clanton24V on 02/15/12 05:43am

look forward to hearing your thoughts once you get it hooked up.

Posted By: LVJJJ on 02/18/12 08:21pm

Looks like a great invention to me, if I could afford a better WD hitch (than my Chinese Robin) I'd buy the Andersen.

1994 GMC Suburban K1500
2005 Trail Cruiser TC26QBC
1965 CHEVY VAN, 292 "Big Block 6" (will still tow)
2008 HHR
L(Larry)V(Vicki)J(Jennifer)J(Jesse)J(Jason)

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