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

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Topic: New Andersen WD hitch

Posted By: Housedad on 06/25/12 11:34am

One thing I like about the Anderson is that it has infinate adjustability.

It looks like adjusting it properly only requires turning up the bolts evenly until the trailer is level, no matter what the compression is on the poly bushing. In other words, PERFECT WD adjustment every time, not matter what the weight.

Those two things alone are a huge improvement over the conventional system.
I definately just sold myself on this hitch. Now to just find the funds.....

* This post was edited 06/25/12 11:43am by Housedad *

2005 Ford Excursion XLT 6.8L V10 4.56 ratio, F/R ARB air lockers, 285's, airbags w/onbrd air, Helwig swaybar, Prodigy, F350 springs, Front and rear Buckstop bumpers, 16.5ti Warn winch, Landyot radius rods.
2010 Jayco Eagle 322fks.

Posted By: gijoecam on 06/25/12 11:42am

Housedad wrote:

A level trailer does not result in proper weight distribution. The only way to ascertain whether or not you're getting proper weight distribution is to weigh the rig, drop the WD bars and re-weigh, then drop the trailer and re-weigh the TV separately. Without numbers, even the Andersen hitch is just a guesstimate.

Posted By: Toddpear on 07/29/12 01:41pm

I have just finished a 12,619 mile trip to Alaska and back using the Andersen hitch on my Keystone Bullet Premier 19fbpr which weighs close to 6000 lbs loaded. I pulled it with my 2011 F150 with the ecoboost engine. Prior to departure, I took two short trips to make adjustments to the hitch set up. After the two trial runs, I settled on 7 threads showing, compression of about 1/4 inch on the springs. I travelled over every imaginable road surface from high speed interstate to gravel, smooth to frost heaves, head winds to cross winds, dry to wet, flat to mountains both up and down. I have been very pleased with the hitch and set up. Weight distribution is effective and very little feel of sway. In very strong crosswinds (30+) in Kansas, I had to slow to around 50 as passing 18 wheelers would push me around, but in normal driving conditions, I experienced no sway. The ecoboost engine was a dream. I could leave it in cruise control through the mountain passes and averaged 11.3 mpg for the entire trip.

Posted By: BenK on 02/11/13 03:04pm

bump...to try and keep the continuity of this thread together for those who might
be considering this hitch system.

Andersen Hitch Revisited

and within the above new thread, it linked to this interesting thread over at
the airstream forum user who have many miles on this Andersen Hitch system

Airstream The Andersen WD Hitch User Thread
Page 92 of over 100 pages

-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...

Posted By: mikedboyd on 02/13/13 10:22pm

We are buying a new Prime Time LaCrosse 318BHS Travel Trailer and a new hitch. The dealer carries Equalizer and Anderson. They are encouraging me to go with Anderson and I am inclined to do so, after reading all of this. My truck is pretty stiff so it should take the exta weight OK (new trailer compared to old is about 2,500 lbs heavier), but the tongue weight is just over 800 lbs. Do we think the Anderson ('rated' for 1,400 lbs) is really up to that much tongue weight? Also, from the real world experience, what is required to do to the hitch with each hookup? Just raising the front of the trailer up enough and slipping the bracket onto the bottom of the ball, or do you have to mess with the bushing tension adjustments?

thanks

Mike & Tracy Boyd
2013 LaCrosse 318BHS Travel Trailer - Forest River - Prime Time
2006 Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crewcab SB DMax/Allison

Graduated from 1999 Dodge Ram Extended 2wd 5.9L &
1996 Jayco 1208KB Popup
then from a 2005 Prowler Lynx Ultralite 29BHS

Posted By: Ron Gratz on 02/13/13 11:13pm

I believe the 800# figure is for the trailer's "dry" tongue weight.
When loaded, your trailer's tongue weight will be closer to 1200#.

The owner's manual for your Silverado indicates the WDH should be adjusted to return the front end to its unhitched height/load.

Data reported by Andersen users indicate it is unlikely you will be able to able to achieve 100% Front Axle Load Restoration when using the Andersen WDH with a 1200# tongue weight.

Ron

Posted By: mikedboyd on 02/13/13 11:44pm

So you would recommend that I go with the Equalizer then, I take it ....... ?

Posted By: goducks10 on 02/13/13 11:44pm

Depends on how stiff your rear suspension is as far as how much of the 1400lb Andersen tension is needed. If you have a really stiff suspension then you may only need 50-60% of the chain tension to return to stock height on the front. If it's soft in the rear then you may need all the chain tension you can muster and may never return to stock height.

Posted By: Ron3rd on 02/14/13 06:35am

mikedboyd wrote:

So you would recommend that I go with the Equalizer then, I take it ....... ?

The Equalizer is a tried and proven hitch with a big following. I considered the Anderson too but am not liking what I am reading about problems with the coupler latch over at the Airstream forum link posted by BenK.

2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

Posted By: TomG2 on 02/14/13 07:23am

Ron3rd wrote:

............... I considered the Anderson too but am not liking what I am reading about problems with the coupler latch over at the Airstream forum link posted by BenK.

From the oft-quoted Airstream forum:

By idroba, "My old Atwood failed by cracking on the internal cup. It still held the ball just fine with the Andersen hitch. The cracking was prior to the Andersen. My guess is that it had 150 - 200 K on it when I replaced it."

I have no investment in the Andersen hitch, but after reading over one hundred pages about it, I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of non-owners that have a big problem with them.

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