Anderson goose neck adaptor hitch.

Is the wording in this document precise enough regarding how the Goose Box is the *only* gooseball style hitch that won't impact the Lippert frame warranty?

At the end if the day, the debate on whether or not the Andersen uses an "adapter" to deploy a gooseball connection is moot because Lippert says the Goose Box is the only gooseball hitch that will not affect their warranty. That's all I've been saying.

https://www.lci1.com/images/support/lipsheet/0214.pdf

(Edit: I do realize that the Andersen does not replace the actual pin box, so there is still ambiguity here... so in essence I am still falling back on what LCI wrote to me when I was seeking the final word on using the Andersen. And we all know that they wrote... in the end I bought a Goose Box because of my discomfort whether I would be covered in case of a frame issue.)

ToddD wrote:

They specifically responded, as I cut and pasted here, that regardless, any *adapter* will cause them to not be able to assist in any warranty claim.

Not my words. Theirs.

My previous response may have been a bit wordy and perhaps a little dismissive. But, if any manufacturer provided me with a written warranty document at the time of purchase, that shall prevail. If they told me verbally, in an email, or in any manner outside of the written warranty that if using "any adapter" they would not be able to assist in a warranty claim, I would then require that they direct me to the language in the governing warranty which specifies such. Assuming that such language (or something similar) is included, I would then ask them to point out where the warranty statement defines "adapter".

As background information, I write and review contracts constantly as part of my business. Words are important and definitions are critical. From a legal standpoint, ambiguity in a contract (or warranty) does not favor the contract originator in the eyes of the court.

I am absolutely not trolling.

I am reading their response as an attorney would.

In the end, their warranty is a legal document.

If you choose to apply "common sense" to a legal document, do it at your own peril.

As I've written many times in this thread, I don't believe the Andersen Ultimate would cause a failure or damage to the frame.

I even wrote basically the exact thing you just wrote to me back to them when they warned against using it.

They specifically responded, as I cut and pasted here, that regardless, any *adapter* will cause them to not be able to assist in any warranty claim.

Not my words. Theirs.

ToddD wrote:
Are you saying that the Andersen does *not* put an adapter on your king pin?

Yes, it most certainly does.

It adapts your king pin to a ball socket.


Andersen provides a $5mm direct warranty to users of their product, should their factory warranty claim be denied.

So, since Lippert is very clear that they would deny a frame damage claim if the Andersen Ultimate was being used, you'd need to cross your fingers and go after Andersen to pay for it.

https://andersenhitches.com/uploads/Supplemental%20Warranty%20-%20Ultimate%202015.pdf

Yes, they do put an "adapter" on my kingpin and I'm quite sure you know that as well. Seems to me like you're being a bit disingenuous and perhaps trolling (Like that would EVER happen here on any hitch discussion!). The traditional "gooseneck adapter" has always been understood (at least in my own mind, and those I've discussed it with), a long, single leg extension between kingpin and gooseneck ball, which amplifies torque forces on the traditional 5th wheel pin box and frame. The Andersen does not do that, simply by raising the ball up to the level of the pin box (minus the approximate 3" thickness of the ball to kingpin adapter block).

What I won't argue with is the details you received from Lippert where they state upfront they will deny any warranty claims if you use ANY kind of adapter. So, caveat emptor. My warranty was expired before I switched to Andersen, so not a factor for my decision.

LIKE2BUILD wrote:

grizz272 wrote:
I use the bed of my pick up a lot. Having the Anderson adapter hitch for my Fifth-wheel camper would make taking it in and out a whole lot easier than a regular fifth-wheel hitch.

I'm sure the Andersen works fine but you can solve the problem for about $50. Mount a long U-bolt to a truss in your garage and hang a chain hoist from it. When you want to remove/install the 5th wheel hitch use the hoist to raise/lower the hitch and just back the truck into place.

That's what I do with my 5th wheel hitch and have no problems at all. If you buy the Andersen and sell your current hitch you probably won't be out a terrible amount of money.

KJ

It isn't that easy for all of us. I can't get my truck into the garage at all. I can back the bed in, but the bed doesn't clear the garage door while it's up. Once I went from a Sierra 1500 to a 4wd Super Duty, the garage days were over.

And, again, I'm *not* suggesting that the Andersen WILL damage your frame, in fact I'm confident it won't.

But what I won't gamble with is if my 5er develops a crack from a design defect by the manufacturer (frame or balance of trailer). I don't want to give them an "easy out" should that happen.

And using the Andersen Ultimate would be an easy way for Lippert or Jayco to wash their hands and say "sorry, you used an unapproved hitch, we can't help with this repair."

I'm not willing to go toe to toe with Andersen, Lippert, or Jayco here if I can just easily sidestep the whole issue and get the Goose Box. It costs a couple hundred more dollars than the Andersen Ultimate, but it comes with peace of mind for me.

Your mileage may vary, but at least go in eyes wide open. Don't dismiss what they put in writing and cry foul later because you assumed a "flunky" wrote it.

ToddD wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:


How old is this? Its obvious from their response they are incorrectly putting it in the “GN adapter” category which it is NOT. A little education/research goes a long ways...

From October, 2017.

When I pointed out that the Goose Box and Andersen Ultimate could not be used together, this was their response:

Like I have stated. If you are using any adapters or extensions on the pin box and this causes any damage to the pin box or chassis LCI would not be able to assist on the repair.


Again, I can't see how the Andersen could be causing any extra stress on the frame, since it sits at the same height as a 5th wheel hitch, but this is not internet "bunk": I got my answer straight from the Horse's Mouth, in writing.

They won't void your warranty, but they won't assist on the repair, either.

Better safe than sorry here is my advice, would be a nasty surprise to assume otherwise with the Andersen.

Or at least make sure you have the wallet to float the cost of a (surely very expensive) frame repair while waiting for reimbursement from Andersen when Lippert denies the claim... assuming Andersen comes through in the end. Pretty big gamble in my eyes...

And don't forget, the Andersen *does* put an adapter on your king pin.

When you brought this up back then, we discussed this at length. At the time, no one doubted that a customer service flunky wrote an email to you about the matter. Problem was they more than likely didn't understand, because if I remember correctly, they advised in the email that it was acceptable to use the AUH in conjunction with a goosebox (which is more/less impossible on normal applications). And also at the time, we discussed how its not actually disclosed in the warranty statement that the AUH would not be acceptable. An email response to a customer's question cannot legally supercede a warranty document provided with the sell of the item. The warranty cannot be changed without due compensation. Blah blah blah...

Point is that this is truly bunk and Lippert has not actually expressed in legal terms that they would not warranty their product if the AUH was used. If you feel that the email is sufficient for your purposes, then carry on. But an email directed to you is irrelevant to me.

Are you saying that the Andersen does *not* put an adapter on your king pin?

Yes, it most certainly does.

It adapts your king pin to a ball socket.


Andersen provides a $5mm direct warranty to users of their product, should their factory warranty claim be denied.

So, since Lippert is very clear that they would deny a frame damage claim if the Andersen Ultimate was being used, you'd need to cross your fingers and go after Andersen to pay for it.

https://andersenhitches.com/uploads/Supplemental%20Warranty%20-%20Ultimate%202015.pdf

It doesnt... So why would Andersen be liable to cover the repair? Not following ya.

N-Trouble wrote:


How old is this? Its obvious from their response they are incorrectly putting it in the “GN adapter” category which it is NOT. A little education/research goes a long ways...

From October, 2017.

When I pointed out that the Goose Box and Andersen Ultimate could not be used together, this was their response:

Like I have stated. If you are using any adapters or extensions on the pin box and this causes any damage to the pin box or chassis LCI would not be able to assist on the repair.


Again, I can't see how the Andersen could be causing any extra stress on the frame, since it sits at the same height as a 5th wheel hitch, but this is not internet "bunk": I got my answer straight from the Horse's Mouth, in writing.

They won't void your warranty, but they won't assist on the repair, either.

Better safe than sorry here is my advice, would be a nasty surprise to assume otherwise with the Andersen.

Or at least make sure you have the wallet to float the cost of a (surely very expensive) frame repair while waiting for reimbursement from Andersen when Lippert denies the claim... assuming Andersen comes through in the end. Pretty big gamble in my eyes...

And don't forget, the Andersen *does* put an adapter on your king pin.