Anderson Ultimate and 100" wide 5th Wheel
Anyone here using and Anderson Ultimate to tow a full size (not a light) openrange (mine is a 2014 367BH) 5th wheel with a 2014-2017 Ram 2500-3500 short bed 4X4 and factory gooseneck/5th wheel prep. ...
Forum Discussion
With a short bed truck you'll have the potential to hit while backing up no matter what hitch you use. It's just something you'll have to deal with. If possible, it's nice to get something you can at least do a tight 180 in without hitting. That said, with a long 5er if you stay in a tight turn long enough say just circling in a parking lot you will almost certainly hit at some point. Having towed bumper pulls for years I'm used to having to watch for the "Jackknife" point where the trailer hits so don't find it troubling to watch for.
I researched the Reece goosebox a bit prior buying my fifth airborne. Something that concerned me about that setup is that it evidently is prone to bleeding off the air charge for the air bag in hard braking situations when the nose dives hard. With a 2015 Ram with a Brake controller that limits trailer braking at slower speeds I was concerned I'd end up bleeding off the hitch air charge in stop and go traffic because the truck ends up doing more of the braking than desired. That said, at least on the pin box the airbag shock setup really does wonders for the ride and hammering the trailer takes on rougher roads. If you can fit it in to your plans, I highly recommend trying to end up with something that gives you this option.
As for the emotional type responses you get when it comes to the Andersen Hitch, or truck brand, etc etc it can be somewhat comical. I'm not sure what drives that. I do admit my Andersen hitch issues have caused me issues with the guys at work. I'm an engineering tech, having worked almost 40 years in aircraft maintenance, the last 18 in the heavy maintenance, life extension upgrade and modification type stuff, working with several structural engineers. Most are also ATV/RV enthusiasts. When I ended up buying my Andersen several of my workmates chose to rib me about it and offer to come and get me when I ran into issues. They're hard core now in the ribbing I take. Guess the fact my specialty is electrical, hydraulic and environmental systems rather than structural is my only defense.
I researched the Reece goosebox a bit prior buying my fifth airborne. Something that concerned me about that setup is that it evidently is prone to bleeding off the air charge for the air bag in hard braking situations when the nose dives hard. With a 2015 Ram with a Brake controller that limits trailer braking at slower speeds I was concerned I'd end up bleeding off the hitch air charge in stop and go traffic because the truck ends up doing more of the braking than desired. That said, at least on the pin box the airbag shock setup really does wonders for the ride and hammering the trailer takes on rougher roads. If you can fit it in to your plans, I highly recommend trying to end up with something that gives you this option.
As for the emotional type responses you get when it comes to the Andersen Hitch, or truck brand, etc etc it can be somewhat comical. I'm not sure what drives that. I do admit my Andersen hitch issues have caused me issues with the guys at work. I'm an engineering tech, having worked almost 40 years in aircraft maintenance, the last 18 in the heavy maintenance, life extension upgrade and modification type stuff, working with several structural engineers. Most are also ATV/RV enthusiasts. When I ended up buying my Andersen several of my workmates chose to rib me about it and offer to come and get me when I ran into issues. They're hard core now in the ribbing I take. Guess the fact my specialty is electrical, hydraulic and environmental systems rather than structural is my only defense.
