Andersen Ultimate Issues

TxGearhead wrote:
If you are concerned about the integrity of the pinbox and hitch I would talk to a welding/fab shop. See if they would do a NDT on the welds. Probably could wet mag all of it if you don't mind paint removal on the pinbox.

Actually, I don't need any NDI testing as I can see issues in a couple areas already visually, and have already decided to change the pin box. It would have been accomplished already, but I ordered one based on a phone call to hearland because the trailer was still at dealer. Heartland said I had a 1621, so I called e-trailer and ordered the 5th airborne that replaces the 1621. (16k Rating). Unfortunately, when I got the trailer back and pulled the shroud it's a 1621HD so I had ordered the bigger pin box. Stupidity on my part I know, and it will cost me shipping both ways.

I am concerned that the dealer chose to say the pin box was useable and chose not to pursue it further. I'm also upset that they also dinged the front corner with the forklift setup they used to move it. Trip to the dealer to look at pin box amongst other issues resulted in replaced hitch adapter, dinged corner of pin box, and a damaged pin box shroud which they ordered. They did own up and even showed me the new adapter they made to tow Andersen equipped rigs with.

As for using the Andersen adapter with a 1621 pin box, I personally don't recommend it and find myself wondering why only one other trailer I looked at with the adapter installed showed similar damage (It was a Mor-ryde pin box). So far I've been lucky with this rig and haven't hit anything bump wise that has re-arranged the insides of the trailer. I do tow on fairly steep hills from time to time, steep enough that even the exhaust brake on my Ram, which is pretty good, isn't enough to hold things in check. Obviously the pin weight would be a lot higher in this situation and the dynamic loads (pounding) would be quite a bit higher.

Again, for me the Andersen is no longer an option. Neither my trailer, or truck are a good choice for use with this hitch. I am disappointed by that however as a light easily removed and installed hitch is something that would fit me great. That said, my new B&W is easily as quick and simple to install, maybe even easier. Other than the weight, it's a fantastic hitch, obviously much more solidly built. Weight wise it's still inside the realms of what I can lift myself, but with several ruptured disks already, and age creeping up on me it's more that I probably should be lifting.