Andersen Hitch Failure

ralphnjoann wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
The hydraulic crush on the Anderson hitch really only shows that it will support the weight, and static weight at that. Looks like they also need to test for off center weight transfer too.

I have mentioned this for years with cries of "bashing".

Why is it assumed that, since Andersen made a video showing that it will easily support the advertised hitch pin weight, but didn't make any other videos on this issue, that no other tests were made? Does B&W, or any other hitch manufacturer for that matter, make these tests and publish this information for the general consumer? Are consumers remiss in not asking for this data when considering a hitch purchase?

In all the advice I have ever seen given on this forum regarding weights as they apply to the suitability of a hitch for a given unit, no one has mentioned the need for "off center" or "side load" figures. "Make sure the hitch is rated to support the pin weight" is about it.

I can understand the fears some in the RV community may have when it comes to "sucker flipping" but unless B&W has come out with "...the new and amazing Break-A-Way hitch....", it fares no better than the Andersen when it comes to catastrophic failure.

Amen to that;)

fj12ryder wrote:


As I said, a big difference between what happened to the Anderson hitch that was destroyed with no damage to trailer or truck.

Yep, a lot of difference between going slow and traveling at 60MPH.

RCMAN46 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

ralphnjoann wrote:
...I can understand the fears some in the RV community may have when it comes to "sucker flipping" but unless B&W has come out with "...the new and amazing Break A Way hitch....", it fares no better than the Andersen when it comes to catastrophic failure.

Well, there is the little issue that the B&W was involved in a catastrophic rollover incident that left the truck heavily damaged and the trailer basically destroyed. With the Anderson hitch, there was no incident, no rollover, just a destroyed hitch. Kind of apples and oranges.

The truck involved did not roll over!!

The hitch failed during an evasive manuver that resulted in the trailer disconnecting due to the hitch failure and as it left the truck damaged the side of the bed of the truck and the trailer landed on its side.

If you read the article you would read the following statement: "So, while Mark and Doran came to a skidding stop in their truck, sitting upright in their seats, the trailer rolled over, detached and slid to a stop on its side."

The key here is "the trailer rolled over, detached and slid to a stop". Not the trailer detached, rolled over and slid to a stop on its side.

Also this:

"Fortunately, as the trailer went over on its side, the B&W hitch — which comes in two pieces: a base on the bottom and a coupler on the top — separated in two."

As is mentioned several times, the hitch separated as the trailer was rolling over, not before it rolled over.

As I said, a big difference between what happened to the Anderson hitch that was destroyed with no damage to trailer or truck.

ralphnjoann wrote:
Basically destroyed??? Did you even read the article which states, "“We tested the slides and everything worked. The major damage was cosmetic on the side that slid and possibly a broken roof rafter where the AC unit came against the concrete barrier. Though everything was scrambled inside, nothing was broken. We lost almost nothing of our possessions including TV and computers.”

Not only was the trailer basically undamaged, there was no damage to the hitch pin. Here is a link to the story:

B&W Hitch Failure

Be sure to check out the picture showing the separated piece of the B&W still attached to the hitch pin.

"So, while Mark and Doran came to a skidding stop in their truck, sitting upright in their seats, the trailer rolled over, detached and slid to a stop on its side."

Did you notice that that it said the trailer "rolled over, detached and slid to a stop"?

The trailer rolled over before it detached from the hitch.

Sorry, but I consider a trailer that goes over on its side and slides 150 feet down the highway to be destroyed. I sure wouldn't want to use it after that.

Thanks for the warning Barney!

Disagreements are fine just keep it civil.

Learjet wrote:
I thought we were talking about Anderson issues?

This will get shut down soon :)

Getting close!
Barney

So the guy with the Andersen was going slow crawling along and the guy with the B&W was going 60 MPH. Someone with an Andersen try the same thing at 60 MPH and show us what happens to their truck, hitch and trailer.

I thought we were talking about Anderson issues?

This will get shut down soon :)

fj12ryder wrote:

ralphnjoann wrote:
...I can understand the fears some in the RV community may have when it comes to "sucker flipping" but unless B&W has come out with "...the new and amazing Break A Way hitch....", it fares no better than the Andersen when it comes to catastrophic failure.

Well, there is the little issue that the B&W was involved in a catastrophic rollover incident that left the truck heavily damaged and the trailer basically destroyed. With the Anderson hitch, there was no incident, no rollover, just a destroyed hitch. Kind of apples and oranges.

The truck involved did not roll over!!

The hitch failed during an evasive manuver that resulted in the trailer disconnecting due to the hitch failure and as it left the truck damaged the side of the bed of the truck and the trailer landed on its side.

fj12ryder wrote:

ralphnjoann wrote:
...I can understand the fears some in the RV community may have when it comes to "sucker flipping" but unless B&W has come out with "...the new and amazing Break A Way hitch....", it fares no better than the Andersen when it comes to catastrophic failure.

Well, there is the little issue that the B&W was involved in a catastrophic rollover incident that left the truck heavily damaged and the trailer basically destroyed. With the Anderson hitch, there was no incident, no rollover, just a destroyed hitch. Kind of apples and oranges.

Basically destroyed??? Did you even read the article which states, "“We tested the slides and everything worked. The major damage was cosmetic on the side that slid and possibly a broken roof rafter where the AC unit came against the concrete barrier. Though everything was scrambled inside, nothing was broken. We lost almost nothing of our possessions including TV and computers.”

Not only was the trailer basically undamaged, there was no damage to the hitch pin. Here is a link to the story:

B&W Hitch Failure

Be sure to check out the picture showing the separated piece of the B&W still attached to the hitch pin.