2014 Dodge Ram Fifth Wheel Prep Option?

Me Again wrote:
I just watched the Anderson video again. I did not see their safety chains? Ball connections require safety chains.

Here at the other things I see:

1. Have to raise trailer higher to couple and uncouple, just like other goose neck hitches.
2. Have to be spot on the connect, hard to hook up single handed, just like other goose neck hitches.
3. No one else can move your trailer, just like other goose neck hitches..
4. You can not move someone else trailer(Buddy System), just like other goose neck hitches.
5. Puts the load directly on the pickup's sheet metal bed, unlike a correctly installed 5th wheel hitch the transfers the load the trucks frame rails.
6. Factory hitch adds strength to the trucks rear frame, Anderson does not.
7. Puts stresses on the king pin that it is not designed for.
8. Four set screws are all that prevent it from turning on the king pin.

In my mind this is just another band aid like a goose neck adapter. Manufacturer voids thanking about the safety chain requirement. Remember goose necks require safety chains, and this is just a goose neck adapter moved high up from the bed floor.

Chris

Chris,
I have a couple buddies on the cummins forum that have this hitch and when I first heard about it, to me, it was just another GN hitch that I didn't want, but with the triangular base and hitch up in the air, it IS a 5th wheel hitch and doesn't require safety chains. and though you bring some good points to the table, after months and months of reports from those that have owned these hitches and towed with them and shared their real world experiences, I've yet to see any issues with them...

To move the 5er with a reg. 5er hitch, all one has to do is remove the coupler from the pin, and 5er can be towed with a regular 5th wheel hitch. I'm not sure if weight is put on the "bed of the truck, center ball is integrated into center hole, affixed to the frame, and, though I could be wrong, the frame of the hitch along with the 4 legs should all come close to straddling the frame, (not sure of this, but thought it was really close.

Again, not promoting the hitch, just stating, at one time, when those of us purchased this truck with the prep package, NO ONE could get a picture frame adapter to use their existing hitch with..thus the reason, with some research, those that NEEDED to tow with their truck, went to the drop in ball and andersen ultimate 5er hitch....possibly not the BEST alternative, but certainly one that was available, cost efficient and was capable of doing the job at the time.

Same can be said about my Reese 20K...some don't like liking jaws....as one poster called them, "Rick Krispies" hitches, (snap, crackle pop)....I've never in all the years I've towed with a Reese hitch had the first issue, no chucking and definitely no snapping, crackling or popping...

Bottom line, the Andersen was an alternative for those that Chrysler left hanging...gave us a prep package and no way to use it.....owners had to become innovative if they wanted to tow this past spring and summer and come up with another way to use the prep package and the drop in ball and Andersen hitch was a way one could do this..

ON EDIT: Andersen also makes this exact same hitch that will mount to rails or the picture frame adapter,

Again, I agree with Chris, I think hooking up to a conventional hitch would be easier than hooking up to this hitch, but I guess it depends on what you might want to get..