Andersen Ultimate Aluminum hitch

I have been thinking of trying it, But I have been wondering how big of a pain it would be to hook up.

It is a little scary to see such a title bit of metal and have that much strength.

gkainz wrote:
I towed for the 3rd trip with my Andersen Ultimate aluminum hitch.

Nobody died, nothing broke, nothing came unhooked, nobody twisted, turned or pulled my unlocked handle...must be an anomoly...

:)

In all honestly, I will say it is a little slower to hook up than my standard 5th wheel hitch. I still haven't learned how far back the ball needs to be when I back under. I have the adapter turned so the ball receiver is behind the kingpin. But, getting better - I only had to get out a look once. Thinking about putting a small mirror in the bed stake pocket so I can see the ball line up with the adapter.

Great report, it should give you years of great service.

Curious if you use chains with the ball hitch?

I have the older model and use a high tech solution for hooking up. I took a short length of 2" PVC and added a rubber coupler to one end. The coupler fits over the ball enough that it stays put. Then I back up using the pipe to aim and when the pipe gets knocked off I'm at the right spot.

I just got back from a 2000 mile round trip from KY to FL. My route took me through some mountains with 5% grades and runaway truck lanes...my Andersen preformed perfectly. I can see mine over my should so its a snap to hookup. Its just so smooth while pulling and so nice to store it in the 5er basement when Im not using it.

I do use the Andersen safety chains. Just in case a state im driving through requires them.

I am so used to hooking up gooseneck hitches that Anderson setup is a snap. And I dont have to worry about the rig dropping on my truck bed because the hitch was not locked up.

Great hitches!

e-light wrote:
I just got back from a 2000 mile round trip from KY to FL. My route took me through some mountains with 5% grades and runaway truck lanes...my Andersen preformed perfectly. I can see mine over my should so its a snap to hookup. Its just so smooth while pulling and so nice to store it in the 5er basement when Im not using it.

I do use the Andersen safety chains. Just in case a state im driving through requires them.

I use the chains and I've managed to get the eyebolts bent twice; once by the dealer and once by the storage place moving the trailer. When I'm unhooked, I hook the chain back up to the eyebolt. I think this puts the chain and hook in a position to potentially get pinched when the trailer is lowered onto the ball. That is my theory -- neither the dealer or storage place could figure out how it happened. I finally noticed myself pinch the chain/hook when I loop them back to the eyebolt. So, now I've stopped looping them back and I'm figuring out a better way to do it (maybe loop back to the pinbox).

The storage place said I'm the only person they've seen use the chains (this is in Utah).

one other thing.... I've had it a year and used it about 6 times. I've noticed that the spray in bed liner in the bed of my truck has a couple of spots where the liner has been smashed flat (its just smoother). I talked to Andersen and they sent me some rubber strips to put under the hitch. I haven't tried them yet.

I like the hitch for the weight. I have the steal version.

rb71 wrote:
I have been thinking of trying it, But I have been wondering how big of a pain it would be to hook up.

I find it a 'piece of cake'. Back the Ball just to the block on the King Pin. You can clearly see the Ball from the truck. Eye Ball how many inches you need to back the truck to get within 3/4 inch. That's the number I use. Then just lower the adapter block onto the ball. I've towed with both the standard hitch and the Andersen. Hooking up and unhooking for me is faster with the Andersen.

BTW, I use the safety chains. It only takes 2 seconds per chain to hook up. My chains stay in the truck bed. I then just slap the hooks on the Eyelets on the King Pin.

My view in the mirror out the back window ... side to side alignment - check!




turn around and look back



side view ... tried to position a small mirror on the bed for a side view of the ball and hitch block ... 20 in and outs to adjust the mirror ... or 2 in and outs to just eyeball how far back to go ... yeah, mirror's not an option (at least at this point). I wonder if I fasten it to the kingpin if it would work better. And a bigger mirror, too.




perhaps to tweak an idea posted above, a little flip up flag that would get pushed over but pop up inside the hitch socket....