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

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Topic: New Andersen WD hitch

Posted By: Clanton24V on 02/29/12 08:29pm

newsomer wrote:

Clanton24V wrote:

So I just returned from my first trip with the hitch . . .

Good to hear but could you give us some specs on your setup, trailer, TV, etc . . . ?

i suppose that would be useful information
Tow vehicle is a 2001 dodge 2500 4x4 longbed extended cab. HO cummins 6spd manual.

Trailer is a 2011 keystone hideout 31BHSWE. 33'9" total length, 6709LB dry weight, hitch weight is 775LB(numbers according to keystone)
[image]

Posted By: Gallifrey on 02/29/12 08:45pm

Did you have to loosen the screws on the ends of the chain in order to unhook, or were you able to release enough tension by using the trailer jack?

Thanks.

Posted By: Clanton24V on 02/29/12 10:16pm

Gallifrey wrote:

Did you have to loosen the screws on the ends of the chain in order to unhook, or were you able to release enough tension by using the trailer jack?

Thanks.

I was able to gain enough slack just using the tongue jack.

Posted By: JBarca on 03/01/12 05:27am

Clanton24V wrote:

Hi Clanton24V,

Did you by chance do any wheel well fender measurements front and rear on the truck unhitched and then hitched after engaging WD?

In addition, if you can add a 3rd number, what is front and rear with just the dead weight of the camper on the ball, no WD yet. These 3 measurements will give us a perspective on how much the Andersen is doing WD wise on your truck combo.

You have a very capable truck, an ideal TV and that monster heavy motor up front. The long bed, extended cab, 2500 suspension, and diesel up front combos creates a situation where WD may be harder to see until you fully load the camper and get the TW up higher. However, it would be good to see fender heights on where you are now.

Thanks for sharing.

John

John & Cindy

2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver

2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)

Posted By: TURK2500 on 03/01/12 07:35am

John,

As time passes, it will be interesting to see feedback on how the Anderson performs with TT ball couplers welded to the bottom of the A-frame with tongue weights north of 1,200lbs.

Bob

2016 Silverado 2500HD, 6.0L
2018 Jayco 24RBS

Posted By: Clanton24V on 03/01/12 08:28am

I did get measurements front and rear before. I didnt get the.measurements of just the tongue weight . And I didn't remeasure the front after tightening the chains. The dealership lot was not completely level and it started to rain/snow so I was kinda wanting to get going. The back before was 43.5" and when I stopped setting up the hitch it was 43". The chains could have been tightened more but I was good at .5" difference given the circumstances. I've got several trips planned this summer so I will be able to hitch and unhitch many more times and will provide feedback. We are hoping to take the trailer out on the 8th but only about 30miles away

Posted By: JBarca on 03/01/12 10:23am

TURK2500 wrote:

John,

As time passes, it will be interesting to see feedback on how the Anderson performs with TT ball couplers welded to the bottom of the A-frame with tongue weights north of 1,200lbs.

Bob

Bob,

Yes, your Jayco that uses the bottom-mounted coupler would create a different dynamic. The chains would be pulling at a fairly good angle with the bottom of the tow ball shank some 8" below the frame. The urethane spring frame brackets and the chain plate on the bottom of the ball will need to deal with that high WD force pulling on a 15 deg downward angle from horizontal at the spring bracket and 75 degree upward angle from vertical at the lower chain plate at the bottom of the ball.

The top mounted coupler pulls the chain fairly parallel to the frame. We have not see a bottom mounted coupler setup with this hitch yet.

Good point.

John

Posted By: JBarca on 03/01/12 10:27am

Clanton24V wrote:

I've got several trips planned this summer so I will be able to hitch and unhitch many more times and will provide feedback. We are hoping to take the trailer out on the 8th but only about 30miles away

Happy camping. Looking foward to your reports.

Posted By: Clanton24V on 03/01/12 03:29pm

JBarca wrote:

Clanton24V wrote:

Happy camping. Looking foward to your reports.

Thank you.
And yes there will be several differences when the camping season finally gets started. I'll have my canopy back on the truck(a few 100lb there) plus the trailer will actually have stuff in it along with my truck bed. So it will take a bit more set up but I will try to remember toget measurements of before and after so it will give a better idea of what the hitch is doing

Posted By: zues on 03/04/12 07:59pm

We just got back from a 200 mile trip and the hitch worked great. The hitch is really quiet and smooth. The road going to our house is about 2 miles and really rough. With the old hitch, the truck and trailer would buck. Today coming home with the Andersen hitch, it was really smooth. I love this hitch.

Truck sitting in front of trailer getting ready to hook up

Front 39 9/16
Rear 39 even

Trailer hitched up without the Andersen hooked up

Front 40 even
Rear 38 even

Truck and trailer with the Andesrsen hitch hooked up

Front 39 13/16
Rear 38 1/2

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