Anderson No Sway chain WD hitch? Pics added.

anderson andersonhitch andersonball



Noticed that this wear mark not straight across the ball

Meaning that it shows the coupler latch moving *UP* on the ball
and the only way for that to happen are either the latch is moving
up...or the ball is dropping down...out of the coupler when the
trailer is to one side (is the other side of the ball showing the
same wear pattern?)

Since most couplers has a solid dome top...the latch can NOT move up
and make this mark

The ball MUST be DROPPING down and out of the coupler dome

Why is the ball dropping out of the coupler during side to side
moves of the trailer?

The ball/shank vs friction material (think friction bar) is
supposed to resist any side to side sway and the bottom
plate/chain & plastic spring slugs are to both WD and pull the
plate in line with the trailer

There has to be some compliance/movement...plastic spring slugs,
but this is a lot of side to side movement.

From the looks of the wear pattern...guessing about 160* of side
to side swinging...that is very surprising, as the Andersen
is not supposed to have that much

I'll guess that the friction material is holding the ball/shank
with almost no side to side rotation...and...the trailer is swinging
side to side

How else????....unless the pawl is of two piece and it has spread
to saddle the ball between the two pawls. That would explain the
upward wear pattern on the side of the ball...if the pawl has
an upward bend in it...

Curious what the OP finds when he checks the coupler/latch

Please post back and am hoping for pictures !!!

PS...OP...please do NOT toss the parts...it would make for some
great forensics study...along with detailed pictures

PPS...scary...if what I see and my guess...that the wear pattern
is above or at the equator...the largest dia of the ball and is
what the complimentary dome in the coupler uses to keep the ball
in the dome...an interference fit between the dome and ball...