which gooseneck ball?

^^If that AU was using the puck system, attached to four corner pucks, this outcome may have differed. The steel rail mount, by design, 4-corner attachment, so much more sturdy!

If they ever planned to have a puck mount, I think they would have by now.

Jerry

Flashman wrote:

ksss wrote:
I use a flip over ball and a Curt attachment (steel) that attaches to the ball with rails and allows you to mount the 24K fifth wheel hitch on top of that (which for me is the Curt 24K hitch). The set up is a bit heavy to install in but I really like it. It may be made in China, I never looked, its HD and works well so that is enough for me.

The Andersen hitches are from here in Idaho Falls, quite an operation. I personally have never bought anything from them. I just don't trust aluminum for things like that, not the fifth wheel hitches or the adjustable bumper pull hitches. It is a personal decision for me, not saying they are not any good, I just don't have faith in trusting Al for hitch material.

I guess you are also afraid of flying? Every modern airliner is made of aluminum.

Have you ever watched their Circus Type "CRUSH TEST VIDEO". It's a joke as what really matters is how they handle the fore and aft forces.

ksss wrote:
I use a flip over ball and a Curt attachment (steel) that attaches to the ball with rails and allows you to mount the 24K fifth wheel hitch on top of that (which for me is the Curt 24K hitch). The set up is a bit heavy to install in but I really like it. It may be made in China, I never looked, its HD and works well so that is enough for me.

The Andersen hitches are from here in Idaho Falls, quite an operation. I personally have never bought anything from them. I just don't trust aluminum for things like that, not the fifth wheel hitches or the adjustable bumper pull hitches. It is a personal decision for me, not saying they are not any good, I just don't have faith in trusting Al for hitch material.

I guess you are also afraid of flying? Every modern airliner is made of aluminum.

I self installed the Draw tight ball. Just pops right out when you want a smooth truck bed. Works great with my aluminum Andersen hitch. 25,000 miles on my toy hauler. Take hitch in and out multiple times. Would not tow with a convention 5th wheel hitch. Andersen is much easier to attach trailer to truck than the other guys. You can do it at odd angles and on uneven ground.

I use a flip over ball and a Curt attachment (steel) that attaches to the ball with rails and allows you to mount the 24K fifth wheel hitch on top of that (which for me is the Curt 24K hitch). The set up is a bit heavy to install in but I really like it. It may be made in China, I never looked, its HD and works well so that is enough for me.

The Andersen hitches are from here in Idaho Falls, quite an operation. I personally have never bought anything from them. I just don't trust aluminum for things like that, not the fifth wheel hitches or the adjustable bumper pull hitches. It is a personal decision for me, not saying they are not any good, I just don't have faith in trusting Al for hitch material.

mkirsch wrote:

Thermoguy wrote:
Before you buy the Anderson, look at reviews on Amazon. I really wanted one until my wife looked up the reviews and said she wouldn't ride in the truck with me if I had that hitch...

You mean the one with 674 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars?

Or the one with 182 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

Or the one with 49 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

When things come that highly rated your one-star reviews are generally from people who had unrealistic expectations, misused/abused the product, or got the odd bad one.

Did you look at the pictures of the bent and broken hitches or just the stars and number of reviews? It only takes one brake and your trailer is in your back seat.

I wanted to like the hitch, it's very light and I am constantly switching from a gooseneck to 5th wheel trailer. Just not reliable enough for me to be comfortable to use one. There are other reasons, like no adjustments which I found to be very necessary to get my trailer to not chuck and bounce. The Anderson doesn't have the same amount of adjustments.

But back to reliability. Look how light it is built. You are relying on angles and force, if the force changes or the bars are damaged in any way, what's to say it won't give. Are you willing to take that chance? My family is too important for me to take that chance. Also, look at YouTube, lots of video's of failed Anderson Hitches. All for the same reasons, the ball brakes off, the supports bent, etc. Non are minor issues, all major. Just too unreliable for me - and they cost as much as a more reliable 5th wheel hitch.

Thermoguy wrote:
Before you buy the Anderson, look at reviews on Amazon. I really wanted one until my wife looked up the reviews and said she wouldn't ride in the truck with me if I had that hitch...

You mean the one with 674 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars?

Or the one with 182 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

Or the one with 49 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

When things come that highly rated your one-star reviews are generally from people who had unrealistic expectations, misused/abused the product, or got the odd bad one.

I have used the Anderson Ultimate Hitch with the turnover ball on two of my 5th wheels. The first was on 43-foot Cyclone toy hauler. When it was loaded with full water and my side x side it grossed out at 18,000 lbs. One time I forgot to plug the wire in. The first red light I hit, I had to stand on the truck brakes to stop. Luckily, I had a dully with big brakes and got it stopped. The hitch held up perfect. When I sold the trailer, the guy wanted the hitch. I bought a lighter 5th wheel that weight out at 15,500 loaded and installed another Ultimate Hitch. I love you can have your whole bed back in about 5 minutes with one person. I also have that aluminum hitch complete with the safety chains for sale, if anyone is interested. Half of what it cost new. I traded the truck in to a dealer and they did not want it. I have gone to motorhome now.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
I've never quite figured out why the rails are such a big deal to have in the bed. They're good tie down points and aren't that obtrusive. I guess if you're shoveling dirt or rocks out of the bed they could be a problem but most guys grow up at some point and buy a trailer for that kind of thing.

I used to have a RBW hitch with the hitch rails in the bed but in a front to back configuration. I hated them as I used my truck for Construction. A friend mentioned B&W and the rest is history!!! Thanks Rick.

I also had an RBW, and will never go back to having rails in a truck bed. I actually use my pickup bed as a pickup bed so I don't need a trailer I don't sleep in anymore.

IdaD wrote:
I've never quite figured out why the rails are such a big deal to have in the bed. They're good tie down points and aren't that obtrusive. I guess if you're shoveling dirt or rocks out of the bed they could be a problem but most guys grow up at some point and buy a trailer for that kind of thing.

I used to have a RBW hitch with the hitch rails in the bed but in a front to back configuration. I hated them as I used my truck for Construction. A friend mentioned B&W and the rest is history!!! Thanks Rick.