Anderson Ultimate 3200 (Universal Rail Mount)
Ok folks, here goes...
To a small degree, I screwed up. When I bought my Ram in October I didn't get the factory 5th wheel package PUC system. I wanted it, but the truck I got was exactly what I was looking for (minus the 5th wheel prep package) and a price I could not turn down. Considerably less than anything else in fact. So I opted to just install the rails (Curt Rails) and the plug myself. Got it all for about $280 from Etrailer. I have numerous trailers and already had the hitches for all of them, including the rail mount gooseneck ball. And the rail and plug were custom fit so there were no problems with the install. I hardly ever haul anything in my bed of any significance due to having the trailers.
Well, my current hitch that I have had for a while is a Reese 15K slider. I have never had one single issue with it, but I am very OCD with maintenance and hitching/unhitching! I do of course have the occasional chucking and noise from it during start and stops and rough over passes etc. Its now about 10 years old also and I just want something new and improved.
I'm well aware of the various brands and know that B&W seem to be the best out there. But I really don't want another heavy hitch and I am leaning toward the Anderson 3200 for weight, simplicity, price, etc. I am also somewhat interested in the B&W Patriot 16K. I already have a chain hoist in the garage so taking the hitch in and out isn't really that hard per-se, just a pain in the rear. Being able to just man handle it out on my own is very appealing cause with 3 women, it's pretty much just me to do it. We are not full timers and both me and the DW still work and have 2 daughters at 17 and 12 years of age. So we are just the weekend lake warriors and occasional (2-3 times a year) vacationer's with the longest pull being 800-1000 miles RT to the Florida pan handle area.
A few questions about the Anderson.
1. Does anyone use one with a short bed? If so, how are your clearances? My 5th is a 2011 and has the rounded front corners.
2. Is the 3200 as stable and quiet as the ball mounted version?
3. Any other pro's or con's to the hitch?
I'm looking to upgrade this spring, if not sooner, and would really appreciate feedback on this hitch, The 3200 rail mount specifically.
Also, if anyone has anything on the B&W 16K Patriot. I really like the adjustability it has. Up, down, fore, aft etc.
Thanks!
To a small degree, I screwed up. When I bought my Ram in October I didn't get the factory 5th wheel package PUC system. I wanted it, but the truck I got was exactly what I was looking for (minus the 5th wheel prep package) and a price I could not turn down. Considerably less than anything else in fact. So I opted to just install the rails (Curt Rails) and the plug myself. Got it all for about $280 from Etrailer. I have numerous trailers and already had the hitches for all of them, including the rail mount gooseneck ball. And the rail and plug were custom fit so there were no problems with the install. I hardly ever haul anything in my bed of any significance due to having the trailers.
Well, my current hitch that I have had for a while is a Reese 15K slider. I have never had one single issue with it, but I am very OCD with maintenance and hitching/unhitching! I do of course have the occasional chucking and noise from it during start and stops and rough over passes etc. Its now about 10 years old also and I just want something new and improved.
I'm well aware of the various brands and know that B&W seem to be the best out there. But I really don't want another heavy hitch and I am leaning toward the Anderson 3200 for weight, simplicity, price, etc. I am also somewhat interested in the B&W Patriot 16K. I already have a chain hoist in the garage so taking the hitch in and out isn't really that hard per-se, just a pain in the rear. Being able to just man handle it out on my own is very appealing cause with 3 women, it's pretty much just me to do it. We are not full timers and both me and the DW still work and have 2 daughters at 17 and 12 years of age. So we are just the weekend lake warriors and occasional (2-3 times a year) vacationer's with the longest pull being 800-1000 miles RT to the Florida pan handle area.
A few questions about the Anderson.
1. Does anyone use one with a short bed? If so, how are your clearances? My 5th is a 2011 and has the rounded front corners.
2. Is the 3200 as stable and quiet as the ball mounted version?
3. Any other pro's or con's to the hitch?
I'm looking to upgrade this spring, if not sooner, and would really appreciate feedback on this hitch, The 3200 rail mount specifically.
Also, if anyone has anything on the B&W 16K Patriot. I really like the adjustability it has. Up, down, fore, aft etc.
Thanks!
