Andersen Aluminum Ultimate Hitch Redesigned
I follow Andersen hitches on Facebook and they have announced a redesign of their Aluminum Ultimate Fifth Wheel Hitch...here are some screen shots of the Facebook post. Thanks! Jere...
Forum Discussion
I've also been accused of being a "basher" and that "you have never even seen one". Actually, I've held one in my hands, and had a chance to look over the mechanism up close. I've even seen what I was told was one of the new ones (last weekend).
I agree about the crush test. It shows that it can hold the pin weight, but does not show how well it can handle front/back stresses that will come up in a real-world situation like a panic stop.
Let's compare the B&W hitches for the Ford puck system and the RAM puck system.
The Ford system has less distance between the front and rear pucks. If you look at the required design of the hitch to support that setup, you can see how that may present an issue. The B&W RVK3300 is rated for 20000 pounds pulled and 5000 pounds VTW.
The RAM system has a much greater distance between the front and rear pucks. This allows for a design that's rated for 25,000 pounds pulled and 6250 pounds VTW.
I believe the head is identical between the two hitches, so it's all in the bases.
You can see that their engineers are taking into account the dynamic forces that may be involved in things like panic stops. When used within their rated weights, they have enough of a safety margin to handle the dynamic stresses that may come up.
In the case of the AU, I'm not convinced this was considered in the design and chosen materials. If there is one known case on-line, how many others have there been where the owner isn't on any popular forums? No one knows.
In the past, I've stated that I'd like to see them put their interface into a pin box and get it approved by the trailer and frame manufacturers and have it offered as a factory option.
I say that because, direct from Lippert, the AU will void the frame warranty. Yes, Andersen offers their own - read the fine print. Someone in a bind may see this fought over for years while they have a trailer that needs fixed. Likely to really damage the frame? I don't know, but I prefer to err on the side of caution.
If they can get this designed to where it lives up to the weight ratings, and can get it installed as an option at the factory, I think it could become a mainstream item. Until then, they are going to have issues.
I agree about the crush test. It shows that it can hold the pin weight, but does not show how well it can handle front/back stresses that will come up in a real-world situation like a panic stop.
Let's compare the B&W hitches for the Ford puck system and the RAM puck system.
The Ford system has less distance between the front and rear pucks. If you look at the required design of the hitch to support that setup, you can see how that may present an issue. The B&W RVK3300 is rated for 20000 pounds pulled and 5000 pounds VTW.
The RAM system has a much greater distance between the front and rear pucks. This allows for a design that's rated for 25,000 pounds pulled and 6250 pounds VTW.
I believe the head is identical between the two hitches, so it's all in the bases.
You can see that their engineers are taking into account the dynamic forces that may be involved in things like panic stops. When used within their rated weights, they have enough of a safety margin to handle the dynamic stresses that may come up.
In the case of the AU, I'm not convinced this was considered in the design and chosen materials. If there is one known case on-line, how many others have there been where the owner isn't on any popular forums? No one knows.
In the past, I've stated that I'd like to see them put their interface into a pin box and get it approved by the trailer and frame manufacturers and have it offered as a factory option.
I say that because, direct from Lippert, the AU will void the frame warranty. Yes, Andersen offers their own - read the fine print. Someone in a bind may see this fought over for years while they have a trailer that needs fixed. Likely to really damage the frame? I don't know, but I prefer to err on the side of caution.
If they can get this designed to where it lives up to the weight ratings, and can get it installed as an option at the factory, I think it could become a mainstream item. Until then, they are going to have issues.
