Andersen WDH Experience: Kodiak 242RESL by Mercedes GL450

I know that this is a very old thread, but I have been researching the GL450 with air suspension and it's not a matter of IF it fails, but WHEN it fails. I suspect it had absolutely nothing to do with your WDH usage. Distributing 120 lbs to the front axle is not going to cause a failure. Check out benzworld.org for endless stories of air suspension failure.

The 2nd generation (2013+) seems to be much more reliable FWIW.

:( UPDATE and bad news if you are pulling with a Mercedes GL450 (or similar Mercedes).

This is an update to my 2012 experiences pulling 6000# Kodiac 242resl Travel Trailer with my 2010 MB GL450. The Andersen WDH performed flawless and I am still a recommender. It's Mercedes Benz that is sneaky and dishonest and for that I got to pay $2800 when their auto level suspension failed.

In the beginning, when I inquired and researched the MB tow capabilities, the message was tow under the 7200# GVWR and keep the hitch weight no more than 600#. Lastly, MB is a European mfg and they don't offer different values when using a WDH. No problem, I stayed under those values and did multiple CAT weighs along the way. I used the Andersen primarily for anti-sway and it was great. So what went wrong?

I now know that the MB self-level uses a front airbag suspension that cannot be disabled. A WDH by design attempts to leverage weight back to the front axle and the Andersen did as it was supposed to, but unfortunately that overstressed the MB system which in effect, fought against.

So after towing about 15,000 miles with the MB GL450, we retired and bought a 3/4ton truck and a 5th wheel. About 6 mo. later, MB right airbag failed, 3 mo. after that the left bag failed. I am convinced, that though it was a very comfortable tow, it wasn't a good idea. MB should have been more explicit, if not in their ads, perhaps when I discussed my plans with their customer service engineering group!

It's behind me now. I still have the car and the airbags, brakes, differential and transmission have all been serviced and inspected. I am keeping the car cause it's a great SUV, just not a good TV.

Glad it is working out for you.

Your trailer sits really high (high center of gravity, you have a fairly light tongue weight, and you have added weight on the back bumper of the trailer.

When you look at the physics it is..... how shall I say it... not even close to ideal.

Again.... glad it is working out for you.

skipnchar wrote:
Keep us informed as you use the system more. I HOPE someone provides a similar report on a larger trailer but your experience sure sounds encouraging.
Good luck / Skip

I'm on third year with an Andersen hitch. My results have been pretty much the same as OP's.

My trailer is listed in sig. Loaded weight 75 - 7700 lbs. Tongue weight varies between 950 and 1100 lbs, depending on fresh water load. The tank is behind the axles and takes weight off the tongue.

UPDATE July 2014: Just finished a 4,700 mile, 40 day trip from Texas to Okla, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and back. Towed in rain, up and down Missouri hills, through narrow construction zones and on rough back roads. The Anderson continues to perform beautifully. Chucking is almost non-existent. Sway, although not totally eliminated, is only slight and only when large trucks pass at speeds greater than 20 over mine. The sway is not the same as without a WDH, rather both the Car and Trailer feel and react in unison and it really is very mild (my wife pulls now from time to time and before the Anderson, she said she didn't feel safe).

Just before the long trek, I had a weld shop add a frame welded receiver to the back of my trailer and I now carry a GearDeck17 box that holds a generator and grill (adds about 300# to the rear).

I continue to start my long trips with a visit the CAT scales and make sure that I manage my weights at spec (600# tongue and trailer 6,000# or less). If adjustments needed, the car has surplus payload, so on occasion I move something out of the trailer or storage into the SUV.

Thanks for the complements. Prior to buying the Andersen, I read a ton of******about Mercedes Benz hitches failing, cracking, etc. (on the Airstream forum). Turns out they were all pre-2009 hitches before Mercedes hitch vendor took mfg back from a subsidiary. I was worried about spending too much weight on the hitch by trying to carry a heavy Hensley etc. I bought the biggest trailer I could find that had the lightest hitch weight. I also bought one of those little hitch weight scales and I check it. It's a ***** trying to keep at 600#. But all is well so far.

I got your spreadsheet. Wow! You have documented your setup better than anyone I have ever seen. And I thought I was a spreadsheet addict. Thanks. Your application appears to be tailor made for the Andersen Hitch; Lightweight trailer and capable tow vehicle. Enjoy.

PS: Since March, I have enjoyed a couple thousand miles with the Andersen hitch also.

Thanks Bill. I have only put a few miles on mine but am also pleased. My only reservation or recommendation would be that the Andersen hitch is best suited for tongue weights about half of what Anderson claims (1,400 Pounds). I run with the urethane spring compressed about 1/4 inch for a great towing experience. I am towing a little over 6,000 pounds with 750 pound tongue weight.

I have now towed over 3000 miles with the Andersen and am happy to report I am still very pleased and it continues to perform well. I did swap the initial shank for the next size up so that I can raise the tongue up an inch more. Did that because I wanted to match the guide spec exactly. Honestly, it probably was not needed. The Mercedes self levels and the hitch was towing perfect before just as it does now. I bought an extra compression spacer just in case I should over tighten or bust one but as of yet its just a spare in the box.

Any pics of your rig/setup?

thnxs