Forum Discussion

johninedmonton's avatar
Jun 12, 2014

Shout out to Andersen Hitches

Hey all. I had a pretty awesome experience today. Let me explain...

First, I'm not an employee of Andersen hitches or in any way affiliated. I'm just a dude with a big travel trailer.

My tow experience today was hell. Sway was brutal! 5 hours with white nuckles. I figured it was a problem with my new truck. I was not a happy camper. Pun intended!

When disconnecting my hitch, the Andersen WD hitch, I found it was falling apart. The red sway material was being pushed out, like cheese from a tube. That's the best explanation I have of the problem.

So I called Andersen to ask them if this was ok. Amy got back to me within he hour, after business hours I might add, and asked me to text her a picture. Her next response was that a new part would be mailed out right away.

No arguments, no explanation, no attempt to weasel out of their "lifetime warranty". She made no attempt to blame it on me, or explain it away. She just shipped a new hitch. I asked her if it was a common problem, and she said it was the first they had ever seen of it. But still, no questions about covering it under warranty.

You can argue the merits of their product, it's unique and weird. But their customer service is TOP SHELF.

I was seriously impressed today.
  • When my dealer first installed my Anderson he overtightened and one of the red bushings busted/crumbled. Anderson overnighted a replacement and a spare no charge. Since then have towed about 5000 miles flawless. Anderson antisway and antichuck is great. I tow 6000 pounds with an SUV.
  • I'm towing about 8,000# with an SUV. Same experience here. I love this hitch!

    He over tightened it? Really? I didn't think that was possible; unless he's using air tools?

    How tight do you set yours? Any best practices?

    I haven't really tweaked mine too much, as everything in my tow setup is changing so much. New SUV, new suspension, airbags, blah, blah, blah.

    One trick I learned was to stop removing the triangle from the bottom of the ball. Instead I release the chains from the triangle via the quick release at the end of the chains. So much faster. Then I remove the hitch from my hitch receiver, throw it into my trunk, and carry on. 5 minutes for me to do it. 15 minutes for my 10 year old son to do it. Yeah, he can hitch/unhitched us. I just have to finish tightening the chains!
  • johninedmonton wrote:
    ---When disconnecting my hitch, the Andersen WD hitch, I found it was falling apart. The red sway material was being pushed out, like cheese from a tube. That's the best explanation I have of the problem.
    John, if I understand what you're saying, that type of material failure has been reported before for the Andersen WDH.

    Can you post a photo of the failure on your hitch?

    Ron
  • Sadly I can't. I'm not too good with this technical stuff, and I can't figure out how to do it.

    But it doesn't really matter. This thread isn't about diagnosing technical issues; it's about the exceptional customer service I received and the accolades they/she deserve as a result.
  • I use an Andersen 5th wheel hitch. I've had numerous conversations with folks at Andersen, both phone and email, and have always been thoroughly impressed with them.

    Dealing with honest people who really care about the customer is refreshing.
  • I sent Anderson an email about the Ultimate Fifth Wheel product they have. I was interested in using it with a Drop N' Lock gooseneck hitch and sent them a link to the Drop N' Lock's website. I wanted to make sure that the Anderson was compatible.

    The folks at Anderson emailed me back promptly and told me that the Ultimate Fifth Wheel would indeed work and they also commented on how nice the Drop n' Lock gooseneck hitch seems to work.

    I agree, andersen cares about customer service.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • When I bought my new Andersen WDH it came with some beat up parts in the box (looked like ups may have dropped it a tad too hard) that would not thread together. When I called them I was transferred to Dave Andersen (owner I think) he took all my info and have replacements next day air shipped to me.

    NICE COMPANY TO WORK WITH!

    I however could now get used to the performance of the hitch with our truck and trailer and went back to the equalizer 4 way. So the Andersen sits here in the garage looking for a new owner.