New Andersen WD hitch

JBarca wrote:

gijoecam wrote:
I had a bit of a revelation last night on my way home from work... For those having a hard time envisioning how the system redistributes the forces, look at a standard spring-loaded wiper arm. The spring on the wiper arm applies force on the trailer the same way the chains/bushings on the Andersen system apply force to the trailer tongue.

Just thought I'd share it in case anyone had problems understanding what's pulling who where. :)

-Joe

Hi Joe,

OK I am not following your wording. The traditional WD hitch applies forces in different directions on the TT A Frame then the Andseron does.

However you used the words "standard spring-loaded wiper arm".

What are you referring to as a standard spring loaded wiper arm?

Do you mean a windshield wiper arm acting on a windshield of your auto? If so need a little help with the analogy.

John, I hope Joe doesn't mind if I try to answer on his behalf.

The schematic diagram in this patent document represents what I would consider to be a standard spring-loaded wiper arm.

Now, think in terms of Part 2 being the ball mount, Part 3 being the ball (pivot point), Part 1 being one side of the A-frame and chassis rail, and Part 4 being the WD tensioning spring as used in the Anderson hitch. Spring tension produces a torque about the pivot point. This torque causes the wiper blade to be pressed against the windshield.

The blade's force against the windshield is the analog for the added force of a trailer's tires against the pavement. Per Newton's third law, the pavement, in turn, pushes up against the tires. It is this added upward force against the TT's tires which causes load to be removed from the TV's rear axle, with some of it being transferred to the front axle.

I think the spring-loaded wiper arm provides an excellent analogy for how the Anderson hitch can function as a weight distribution hitch.

Ron