Andersen Hitches

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Here we go again! :R

I am going to delete or edit all of the off-topic posts,(those that do not deal with the actual question asked)and try to keep this thread open. Please read the original post and keep you answers on that topic only. If that does not meet with your approval then just skip on to the next topic and leave this one alone.

Just to refresh your memory, here is a copy/paste of the OP's question.
"I'd like to know how the Andersen hitch compares to others as far as ease of hooking up and how smooth it is while towing."
Barney

I have used both types of hitches. My preference is the Andersen for the following reasons.
1. Only 35 lbs
2. No above bed hardware restricting bed use when hitch removed.
3. Very smooth towing. No accumulated tolerances to cause jerking of the load.
4. Very easy hookup and un-hook. You can see the ball from the drivers seat. back the truck to the adapter, lift the trailer to clear, then back the truck the final 6" or so then drop the trailer on the hitch. For un-hook, just lift the trailer straight up to clear. It's so easy I unhook every stop.
5. It's very clear when hooked up in that the adapter completely swallows the ball. Ho 'high hitch'.
All the above being said. But it is all personal preference. They all work!

To answer the OP's specific questions, I have an Andersen Ultimate. Hitching is far easier with it.

My previous conventional hitch sat low in the bed even though it was set at full height. The sight line to the plate was partially blocked by a rail-high toolbox between the extended cab and the hitch. I had to stretch, raise myself off the seat, and look back over my shoulder while keeping my foot near enough to the brake and accelerator pedals to use them in order to connect. This was not fun since I am 74 years old and the joints don't work as well.

The Andersen ball sits higher. All I have to do is look over my shoulder to see it. I center the ball side to side under the kingpin adapter while backing up, then get out and look to see how far backward or forward I need to move in order to drop the trailer and lock it to the hitch. The locking handle is attached to the trailer, not the hitch, so I find it much easier access.

The new version of the hitch has a cone which makes centering even easier. I thought about adding it, but decided it wasn't worth the price. I have no problems with the existing setup.

As for smoothness, it's far better than what I had before. There is no slop in the ball/adapter connection so there are no clunking sounds or jerky motions. Maybe you could improve the ride with the addition of air cushion or spring loaded devices, but not enough to justify their cost IMHO.

ralphnjoann wrote:


The Andersen ball sits higher. All I have to do is look over my shoulder to see it. I center the ball side to side under the kingpin adapter while backing up, then get out and look to see how far backward or forward I need to move in order to drop the trailer and lock it to the hitch. The locking handle is attached to the trailer, not the hitch, so I find it much easier access.

If the Andersen ball sits higher then your trailer front will be riding higher. Given that the top of the ball adapter pocket is .5-1" below the king pin plate how can it sit higher and have the trailer tow at a similar level? Just asking. Chris

I just switch from and Andersen Ultimate to a B&W puck mount. My experience is:

Installation of hitch slightly quicker and easier with B&W than Andersen, assuming lifting 140lbs into the bed of your truck by yourself is something you can do. Both are quite quick and easy. procedure's as follow:

B&W; remove plugs for pucks, lift base into bed of truck and position over pucks. Turn lock handles for pucks, install lock pins. Position head of hitch over hitch, install pins.

Andersen remove ball plug and two plugs for safety chain mounts. Drop in ball and chain mounts. Lift hitch over ball and insert pin (Very light) Install safety chain pucks. I attach the end of the chain to the pucks with the clevis mount and use the hooks to attach to the hitch adapter because the hooks don't fit on the puck mount. Some don't use chains. Once hitch is in place you put the weight of the trailer on the hitch and tighten 3 hitch bolts with a torque wrench.

Removal is slightly quicker and easier with the Andersen in my opinion, although you do need tools with it and no tools are required with the B&W.

Hitch height adjustment positions virtually identical on both hitches, but it's much quicker and easier with the Andersen where you pull a pin, raise or lower ball, re-insert pin. With the B&W you have 8 bolts you take out to raise or lower the vertical adjustment arms.

Hooking up and disconnecting is slightly easier with the B&W. Adjust trailer height, back up until hitch locks into place, insert safety pin (You can easily see if pin is correctly locked or not). With the Andersen you adjust trailer height, back under the hitch, lower the trailer onto the ball, lock hitch adapter, connect safety chains. Both hitch are easy to connect even with truck and trailer at significantly different angles from one another.

To disconnect, with B&W, run 5er landing gear down until weight is coming off hitch, pull safety pin and move lock lever forward, drive truck forward. With Andersen, remove safety chains, unlock pin, raise trailer until free of ball, drive forward.

For me neither hitch had any slop for the most part although I did sometimes have issues with the base of the hitch shifting slightly on the Andersen. Both are quiet, with no noise. B&W you can shift the hitch head forward and aft, Andersen is fixed hitch wise but you have some adjustability on effective length of pin arm. Both hitches articulate forward aft side to side and have no slop so neither will add to chucking issues. This isn't necessarily the case with all fifth wheel hitch designs from what I've heard, but I have no personal experience with other hitches. I do have a fair bit of experience with gooseneck hitches though, which I've never had issue with.

Hope that helped, feel free to ask specific questions.

Me Again wrote:

ralphnjoann wrote:


The Andersen ball sits higher. All I have to do is look over my shoulder to see it. I center the ball side to side under the kingpin adapter while backing up, then get out and look to see how far backward or forward I need to move in order to drop the trailer and lock it to the hitch. The locking handle is attached to the trailer, not the hitch, so I find it much easier access.

If the Andersen ball sits higher then your trailer front will be riding higher. Given that the top of the ball adapter pocket is .5-1" below the king pin plate how can it sit higher and have the trailer tow at a similar level? Just asking. Chris

The previous owners of my trailer had flipped the axles as well as welding 3 1/2" box metal between the trailer frame and the axle mounts. I re-flipped the axles, but the trailer still sits high. I don't know the height of the Li"l Rocker hitch plate but it was low. I achieved level by raising the Li'l Rocker as high as it would go and raising the kingpin to within one bolt hole of as high as it would go, thus lowering the front of the trailer.

With the Andersen, I use the ball at its lowest setting. If there's any difference between before and after, I can't see it. Even if there is, I can still raise the kingpin to that final bolt hole.

Hal_B wrote:
Has anyone used both the Andersen Aluminum hitch and a more conventional style 5th wheel hitch. We are about to make the change from using a TT to a 5th wheel. I bought the truck, identified the camper we will be purchasing, now just need a good hitch.

I'd like to know how the Andersen hitch compares to others as far as ease of hooking up and how smooth it is while towing.

Used a Reese, B&W, & now Andersen aluminum. Its the BESt hitch I have used & have close to 15k miles use.
No problems with the one I have now but I will say I damaged my 1st one & it was 100% my fault . I had a problem with my turnover ball that I just didnt catch.

Thanks for all the input, you have given me alot to think about.

We are very happy with ours, and find it an improvement over the previous Reese hitch.