andersen hitch lock

TGPILOT wrote:
About ten years or so ago, I pulled into a truck stop to get fuel in Ark. Later as I was pulling into a town a few miles further up the road I had to stop at a stop light. I noticed in my mirror that the trailer was pulling away from the truck and dropped on the bed before I could stop. Some stupid driver at the truck stop had pulled my pin. After that, I kept the pin locked and the hitch base locked to the bed. No more problems after that.

That's why there are 5 locks on my $1,200 hitch that connects to my 130K RV!

I have hit some badd roads that the RV would have came loose if it was not connected solidly.

e-light wrote:

RustyJC wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Trailers jump off ball hitches all too often - that's why many states require safety chains with both receiver and gooseneck hitches (both ball hitches). How exactly is the Andersen hitch any different? Don't they offer safety chains for those states that require them?

Rusty

Yes they do sell safety chains. I use them...just a little extra peace of mind. The way the hitch couples it would be very, very difficult if not impossible for it to unhitch once it's locked into place. There is a pin that slides under the ball. It would take failure of the metal components to cause failure. And the coupler itself is a solid block of aluminum. Never say never..I know...but after towing with it all season I have 100% confidence in the system. Its just like anything else though, take your time and double check everything.

I agree 100%. I use the chains. But once the hitch is down on the ball its not going anywhere minus catastrophic metal failure. I can see the turn bolt from the cab. There is no need to do a pull test either. I don't have to worry about high hitching or making sure the jaws lock in place. I just back underneath and drop the hitch on the ball turn the turn bolt or locking mech and hook the chains up along with the lights and brake and she is ready to go.

RustyJC wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Trailers jump off ball hitches all too often - that's why many states require safety chains with both receiver and gooseneck hitches (both ball hitches). How exactly is the Andersen hitch any different? Don't they offer safety chains for those states that require them?

Rusty

Yes they do sell safety chains. I use them...just a little extra peace of mind. The way the hitch couples it would be very, very difficult if not impossible for it to unhitch once it's locked into place. There is a pin that slides under the ball. It would take failure of the metal components to cause failure. And the coupler itself is a solid block of aluminum. Never say never..I know...but after towing with it all season I have 100% confidence in the system. Its just like anything else though, take your time and double check everything.

Me Again wrote:
Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Trailers jump off ball hitches all too often - that's why many states require safety chains with both receiver and gooseneck hitches (both ball hitches). How exactly is the Andersen hitch any different? Don't they offer safety chains for those states that require them?

Rusty

ralphnjoann wrote:

Housted wrote:

Allworth wrote:
In over ten years and a hundred thousand miles I have NEVER met anyone who actually claimed that hooligans had pulled their release handle while they were eating, shopping, hiking, or anywhere else. It is always "somebody else" who "heard about" such things.

Forget it and go camping.

X2 I don't worry about the hitch...:B

I have actually driven my 5er all day after having forgotten to lock the pin. NO bounce off or any other problem.

Housted

Well, ya never know. I'll bet somebody could get rich if they invented a BedSaver for an Andersen. I would buy one. Can't be too safe. :B

On edit: Wait...you're saying an Andersen wouldn't need a BedSaver because, unlike conventional fifth wheel hitches, it's highly unlikely that it would come off the hitch if you forgot to lock it? Well, in that case, never mind.

Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

About ten years or so ago, I pulled into a truck stop to get fuel in Ark. Later as I was pulling into a town a few miles further up the road I had to stop at a stop light. I noticed in my mirror that the trailer was pulling away from the truck and dropped on the bed before I could stop. Some stupid driver at the truck stop had pulled my pin. After that, I kept the pin locked and the hitch base locked to the bed. No more problems after that.

Housted wrote:

Allworth wrote:
In over ten years and a hundred thousand miles I have NEVER met anyone who actually claimed that hooligans had pulled their release handle while they were eating, shopping, hiking, or anywhere else. It is always "somebody else" who "heard about" such things.

Forget it and go camping.

X2 I don't worry about the hitch...:B

I have actually driven my 5er all day after having forgotten to lock the pin. NO bounce off or any other problem.

Housted

Well, ya never know. I'll bet somebody could get rich if they invented a BedSaver for an Andersen. I would buy one. Can't be too safe. :B

On edit: Wait...you're saying an Andersen wouldn't need a BedSaver because, unlike conventional fifth wheel hitches, it's highly unlikely that it would come off the hitch if you forgot to lock it? Well, in that case, never mind.

Allworth wrote:
In over ten years and a hundred thousand miles I have NEVER met anyone who actually claimed that hooligans had pulled their release handle while they were eating, shopping, hiking, or anywhere else. It is always "somebody else" who "heard about" such things.

Forget it and go camping.

X2 I don't worry about the hitch...:B

I have actually driven my 5er all day after having forgotten to lock the pin. NO bounce off or any other problem.

Housted

In over ten years and a hundred thousand miles I have NEVER met anyone who actually claimed that hooligans had pulled their release handle while they were eating, shopping, hiking, or anywhere else. It is always "somebody else" who "heard about" such things.

Forget it and go camping.

Me Again wrote:
I think he was referring to release lever, again no prevision to do that! Chris

So was I. Just showing I like to LOCK things.