On another thread, it was posted that the Andersen hitch is not a weight distribution hitch and should not be used on a vehicle that requires one.When hooked up without it, my truck drops 2” in the rear and raises about 1” in front.When hooked up with it, the front is within 1/4” of unloaded and the rear is down 1”. This basically levels out the truck, which sits tail high when unhitched.I’m pretty sure that weight was put back on the front axle, removed from the rear axle and some was given to the trailer axles.I’m also pretty sure that is what a Weight Distribution Hitch does.I’m just posting this for the possibility that others contemplating getting an Andersen might be mislead by someone who more than likely has never used one.My camper is 5000# loaded with a 600# tongue weight. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but it seems like that’s a pretty good average.If we ever go to a heavier rig, I’d probably change the WDH. We’re very happy with our present setup, so I really don’t see that happening.

GrandpaKip wrote:On another thread, it was posted that the Andersen hitch is not a weight distribution hitch and should not be used on a vehicle that requires one.When hooked up without it, my truck drops 2” in the rear and raises about 1” in front.When hooked up with it, the front is within 1/4” of unloaded and the rear is down 1”. This basically levels out the truck, which sits tail high when unhitched. There are tons of positive reviews of the Andersen hitch from those who actually own and use one. There are some negative comments from people who have never had their hands on one. They will not make an inadequate tow vehicle into a towing monster. They are quiet, lightweight, effective hitches (as you noted). I really like the way they control "porpoising" as we travel over bumpy highways. The latest recommendations from Ford and GM products do not "require" 100% front axle weight restoration as some on here still believe.

We've used the Andersen Hitch for over 6 years now and am very pleased with it. I think it is accurate to say that the Andersen is not suitable for cases where a LARGE amount of weight distribution is required. However, my trailer has about a 600 lb tongue weight like you, and it is terrific. For people in a similar situation as ours, the Andersen is a great choice. It does provide weight distribution as well as great sway control and bounce attenuation. I can tow without any type of WDH but it is so much nicer with the Andersen. I wouldn't tow without it.

The other thread poster was not so smart if he said it was not a WD hitch. That's exactly what Anderson hitch is, the clue is the chains and springs that do exactly what a WD hitch does. Those dumb post are best ignored.I have only read bad things about the Anderson, glad you have it working for you.The bad things are that the hitch does not actually turn after using it many miles. Too much weight on the hitch puts too much stress. Maybe it needs to be greased up before each use. I do not know. Yes, less weight would certainly cause less wear so that might be why yours still works as new while others, with heavier tongue weight, toss them in the trash.How much articulation is possible with this hitch? When the truck goes up an incline and the trailer is still on flat ground this puts maximum tension on a WE hitch, stretching the spring. Do you think Anderson can "spring" as far as the bar style ones?I have seen used ones cheap, but my trailer is light, so was thinking maybe it would work for me.

ajriding wrote:I have only read bad things about the Anderson....The bad things are that the hitch does not actually turn after using it many miles. Too much weight on the hitch puts too much stress. Maybe it needs to be greased up before each use. I do not know. Like I said, the worst "reviews" are from people who have never used one.

I can’t imagine the Andersen not turning at any time. If it couldn’t turn, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to make a turn while hitched.You certainly don’t want to grease it as that is where the anti sway takes place. It definitely can’t be turned by hand. In fact, you don’t grease anything. I don’t miss the mess at all.The only problem I have had with it is the brake material started to rise out of the cone. Maybe an eighth of an inch or so. I contacted them and got a new sleeve in the mail a couple days later. It took only a couple minutes to change out.There are no springs on an Andersen. There are 2 large urethane bushings that the chains go through via a steel rod.After 6 years or so, I am perfectly happy with it.

Andersen hitch | Good Sam Community

Timtation
Explorer
May 23, 2020
We replaced a bar type WD hitch with the Andersen, our 1/2 ton with the 25RKS definitely gave us an uncomfortable jiggle factor on rough roads with the bar type. We switched to the Andersen and two things occurred, comfort and relaxation/concern about the vehicle in the rear view mirror. This is not to mention the ease of hitching and unhitching.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
May 21, 2020
LITEPHIL wrote:
And I can see how it may help on a lite trailer. Anderson claims its for up to 16,000 lbs GTWR • 1,600 lbs tongue weight. I don't see that and for $600 bucks,well,I guess I've said enough.

No, it doesn’t “help”, it actually works and does what it is designed to do.
Proponents of this system have repeatedly stated that the max tongue weight for it is around 800 pounds or so.
Actually, though, I could see it working on a 1600 pound tongue weight if the TV is a 3500 series. Anyhow, I’m glad they rate it that high. Since my tongue weight is only 600 pounds, it should last forever.
I’ve had mine for several years now, the money really doesn’t matter at this point.
ifd22
Explorer
May 20, 2020
I used one for years, and it worked exactly as advertised. It brought the front of my tow vehicle back to the unloaded height, and it prevented sway. Not sure what else there is to say about it.
There will always be those who stubbornly resist or argue against something new. I used a Equilizer brand hitch for 8 years, and the Andersen worked and behaved just like the Equilizer minus the weight, noise and grease.
I towed a 34’ 7500 TT with a Tundra and a 2500 Ram Diesel.
TomG2
Explorer
May 20, 2020
So far, we have had actual users report a good or better experience with the Andersen hitch, and one who has never used one, warn us how "hokie" they are. I suppose I could call a Reese "hokie" even if had no facts or engineering to back up my opinion. Now the attack has switched to the maximum rating, which is as bogus as most advertising claims. That's why we ask actual users about products.
01tundra
Explorer
May 20, 2020
LITEPHIL wrote:
And I can see how it may help on a lite trailer. Anderson claims its for up to 16,000 lbs GTWR • 1,600 lbs tongue weight. I don't see that and for $600 bucks,well,I guess I've said enough.

They do a good job on sway and are light weight, easy to use/store and no disconnect required for backing (vs. some traditional sway bars) so that's the main benefits.

I agree, that would be a no-go for a 1,600 lb tongue weight....

I think their niche is small trailers and for people who actually care about payload and are counting every lb. due to the tow vehicle limitations. The Andersen worked great when we had a Jayco Hummingbird with a 480 lb TW and pulling with an FJ Cruiser that had a 1,100 lb payload. Now that we're pulling with a 2500HD and have a TW of 720 lbs it's not as important to us.
LITEPHIL
Explorer
May 20, 2020
And I can see how it may help on a lite trailer. Anderson claims its for up to 16,000 lbs GTWR • 1,600 lbs tongue weight. I don't see that and for $600 bucks,well,I guess I've said enough.
01tundra
Explorer
May 20, 2020
LITEPHIL wrote:
I've said that it may put a slight amount of weight on the front wheels but why buy a set up like that when you can get a Reese strait line or a 4way for around the same price? My argument wasn't just to argue.I would rather steer someone in the right direction and if you all want to blast me for that,then fine. Happy camping and be safe.

Remember that these are for trailer with under 1k tongue weight, I would argue closer to 800 lb max. Having said that, 500 lbs of return weight isn't required for this application. I know the Andersen can return 300 lbs per past CAT scale readings, and that's all I needed at the time since our TW was around 500 lbs at the time.

Andersen isn't a one size fits all, but for lighter trailers they do the job.
LITEPHIL
Explorer
May 20, 2020
I've said that it may put a slight amount of weight on the front wheels but why buy a set up like that when you can get a Reese strait line or a 4way for around the same price? My argument wasn't just to argue.I would rather steer someone in the right direction and if you all want to blast me for that,then fine. Happy camping and be safe.
01tundra
Explorer
May 20, 2020
GrandpaKip wrote:
The tongue and truck are raised to attach the chains. When lowered, the chains become as tight as a bar, not allowing the tongue and the truck to go down as far as they were before attaching the chains, just like any other WDH.
The Andersen lowered the front of my truck about an inch. I’m guessing here, but I weigh 165# and I hardly move the front of the truck down standing on the bumper, so I’d say the Andersen restored around 300#,
By CAT scales, it definitely put weight back on the front axle and removed weight from the rear axle of my previous truck and helped level it out. Way more than 2 pounds.

But that can't be because LITEPHIL said it's not so in his opinion.....
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
May 20, 2020
The tongue and truck are raised to attach the chains. When lowered, the chains become as tight as a bar, not allowing the tongue and the truck to go down as far as they were before attaching the chains, just like any other WDH.
The Andersen lowered the front of my truck about an inch. I’m guessing here, but I weigh 165# and I hardly move the front of the truck down standing on the bumper, so I’d say the Andersen restored around 300#,
By CAT scales, it definitely put weight back on the front axle and removed weight from the rear axle of my previous truck and helped level it out. Way more than 2 pounds.

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