johndeerefarmer wrote:
I find three different Lippert 1621 pin boxes. They are rated at 15.5k, 18k and 21k. Shipping weights are 100, 105 and 115 lbs. Obviously heavier due to more and/or thicker steel
From what I can figure out the 1621 is 15.5k and the HD comes in either 18k or 21k.
So my question for the OP is- if your HD version of the 1621 pin box has issues, it looks like the standard 1621 which is very common on fivers would have major failures with the Andersen hitch. Yours is the first issue that I have heard of and you have the HD version.
So this makes me wonder if there is some other explanation?
When I first started looking in to this I thought based on internet reviews etc that the hitch is pretty much trouble free. Once I started having problems and talking to folks, I'm not so sure. My Dealer was aware of the issue, considered it to be normal wear with this hitch. Once I started looking in the storage lot etc I personally found one other pin box being deformed, although not as much as mine. It wasn't a lippert. As far as the metal used in the pin box, I'm not sure it varies much if at all in the base plate. My 18k lippert, and 21k Reese fifth airborne I replaced it with both measure the same with calipers as far as steel thickness in the base plate, but do vary in the thickness of the metal thickness in other areas. Finally, I've since talked with two individuals who quit using their Andersen hitches because of issues, and of course Andersen was aware of the potential and had shims already made up and ready to ship if required, so it's hard to say how common the issues may be. It's safe to say not unheard of, but anything mechanical can fail, and I have no idea what the fail rate is.
In trying to figure out why mine failed while the majority of the ones I see haven't, all I can figure is it might have to do with my towing more in the mountains than most. Downhill though the mountains where the engine brake isn't enough and you have to brake in the corners with the Ram brake controller resulting in the truck taking more of the braking load than desirable probably puts more stress on the pin box than anything else I do. The fact I had to put mine on with the pin forward of the ball instead of ball forward of pin might come in to play also, although I'm not sure why it would. Just speculating, and in the end for me it doesn't really matter as I'm using a traditional hitch now.
