Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel - dents in bed

kohai wrote:
After 4 years with the Andersen ultimate 5th wheel hitch, I have had my first experience with two small dents in my bed. There was a lot of bed rebound when I loosened the hitch. I emailed Andersen twice with no response so I'm seeing what you all have to say. This is the original steal version.

(Those naysayers who just want to bash Andersen, please do that on another thread -- don't hijack this one.)

Two questions I'm wondering:

1. Did I not torque it down right this trip? What would I have done wrong? I know this trip the two front bolts ended up loose at some point during the trip. I can't fit my torque wrench in to torque the top bolt when hitched with the adapter reversed to check it after wait is on it.

2. The B&W Companion has spacers that they add under it to give more support. Is such a thing available for the Andersen? Is there a DIY solution?

I'm thinking two things I will change next trip:

1. I have rubber mats under the sides but not the front and back. I'll try to change that to cover all areas the andersen touches the bed.

2. Try to find a way to torque the top bolt after the trailer is on.

campinghut wrote:
I was actually told by the Anderson sales representative that it would do that and it is normal.

MFL wrote:
Using rubber between hitch and bed is not the best idea, especially with single point attachment. The rubber will allow more flex than a solid steel to steel install. I would expect any chucking issues to be amplified as well, with hitch mounted to rubber.

Don't know about Andersen's install instructions, but do know that B&W says no bed mats between.

Jerry

kohai wrote:
After 4 years with the Andersen ultimate 5th wheel hitch, I have had my first experience with two small dents in my bed. There was a lot of bed rebound when I loosened the hitch. I emailed Andersen twice with no response so I'm seeing what you all have to say. This is the original steal version.

(Those naysayers who just want to bash Andersen, please do that on another thread -- don't hijack this one.)

Two questions I'm wondering:

1. Did I not torque it down right this trip? What would I have done wrong? I know this trip the two front bolts ended up loose at some point during the trip. I can't fit my torque wrench in to torque the top bolt when hitched with the adapter reversed to check it after wait is on it.

2. The B&W Companion has spacers that they add under it to give more support. Is such a thing available for the Andersen? Is there a DIY solution?

I'm thinking two things I will change next trip:

1. I have rubber mats under the sides but not the front and back. I'll try to change that to cover all areas the andersen touches the bed.

2. Try to find a way to torque the top bolt after the trailer is on.

kohai wrote:

MFL wrote:
Using rubber between hitch and bed is not the best idea, especially with single point attachment. The rubber will allow more flex than a solid steel to steel install. I would expect any chucking issues to be amplified as well, with hitch mounted to rubber.

Don't know about Andersen's install instructions, but do know that B&W says no bed mats between.

Jerry

Andersen provided me the rubber mat because the hitch was wearing the spray in bed liner. When I say "wearing" I mean more like smashing the texture.