Andersen Aluminum GN vs rail version

[tiger275]

Hey everyone.

I have been trying to make a call on which version of the Andersen to pick for towing my OR 5er that is due next month. I have a 2018 F350 with the factory puck system as well as the GN ball option.

I see that I have 2 options...
a) use the aluminum Andersen with the GN ball. This option would require that I use the torque wrench for the install each time we tow since I will not be leaving the hitch in the truck most of the time. Not a huge deal, but certainly something that requires a little attention.
b) use the Reese picture frame adapter with the Andersen rail version. This option would allow me to permanently attach the Andersen to the picture frame and then quick install and remove the package when needed.

I guess my questions are all circulating around the pros/cons of each option.

Obviously the Aluminum/GN option will be lighter (~35#) while the other option would be slightly heavier (~100 = 50+50). But it sure seems to me that the second option would be drastically easier to deal with during install and removal.

Anyone have any experience with both setups that might offer some comments?

[cummins2014]

tiger275 wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
Demco is okay, it has just one advantage over the Reese , you can release the locking handles with the hitch mounted, the Resse you cannot , the hitch is in the way of the handles. I modified my Reese adapter . With the modification I can release the locking handles, and remove hitch, and Reese adapter in one unit....

Can you elaborate on what you mean here? Are you saying that if I permanently attach the Andersen to the rail frame, that I can not quick release and remove it on the Reese? That I would have to uninstall the Andersen from the picture frame in order to release the handles? That seems to defeat the whole purpose of using the quick release adapter. What am I misunderstanding?

No, you will have no issue with the Reese 30156 adapter for the Ford OEM pucks , and leaving the hitch connected ,and removed in one unit.

I hope I explained it on the previous post, but I think its a mute point with the Reese adapter for your truck ,there is no issue with the locking handle not being able to be opened when the hitch is connected. The Reese 30156 has different locking handles then my 30154 that I had to modify for the Ram. The locking handle on the 30156 for the Ford are very similar to the Demco.

[cummins2014]

tiger275 wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
I would personally chose the rail mount over the gooseneck every time. I do have the factory prep, and never gave the gooseneck Andersen a thought over the rail mount. Just the chance of bed deflection would keep me away from the Aluminum Anderson gooseneck hitch.

Which rail system do you use? one of the picture frame style? Are you able to unlatch and remove it with the Andersen permanently attached?

Before I bought the Andersen, I had the Reese Signature 18K slider. At the time the Reese picture frame was one of two available. I believe Pullrite was the other one. Demco was not.

I modified the Reese picture frame adapter before I bought the Andersen, to remove my Reese hitch ,and adapter in one unit. I shortened the locking handles, which allowed them to clear the hitch. On the Reese 30154 adapter for the Ram, all four of the handles are long, and the two on each side meet in the middle with one pin to lock them. When I shortened them , I drilled new holes to lock all four individually .

The Reese 30156 adapter fits the Ford OEM pucks, but is different then mine it does have four shorter locking handles, that allow the hitch to remain connected ,and removed in one unit. Not sure why the Ram adapter is not built the same, it would have been nice. FYI the Reese adapter 30156 for the Ford can be had thru Walmart for $297.58, thats a far cry from the $450.89 that Etrailer wants for the Demco. There is absolutely no reason for such a price difference . You gain nothing with Demco

My Reese adapter has worked well with the two different hitches, the conventional Reese slider, and the new rail mount Andersen I bought.

[tiger275]

Me Again wrote:
I pick the whole thing RVK3270 B&W and Demco 6099 as a single item with a HF 800 lb electric host. Demco has designed the lock arms on both the Demco 6099(RAM) and 6175(Ford) to not be blocked by a hitch pinned to the picture frame. When we sold the house I mounted the host on a 4x4 post setup to still be able to pick it as a combined setup.

That's pretty nifty. I have seen others do similarly and I have a similar setup for my hardtop on the jeep. My concern is do you leave it hanging above your vehicle when not in use?

[Passage0ftime]

We purchased a used TV that came with a B&W rollover hitch. Used a Curt X5 adapter and Curt 16K. TV is a '06 Silverado 3500 with a 8.1 gas engine. Have pulled a little bit with the combo (taking the Rocky to have it serviced) and seems strong. Will be taking first week long trip beginning Monday. Let you know how it goes! BTW I bought the Hitch from e-trailer.com. Fed Ex dropped the box and dumped the parts into a generic box, bending a key piece. The folks at e-trailer were great to work with, I had a replacement in 2 days. I bought the adapter locally and lost about $100 vs ordering on line. 😞 Lessons learned.

[tiger275]

cummins2014 wrote:
Demco is okay, it has just one advantage over the Reese , you can release the locking handles with the hitch mounted, the Resse you cannot , the hitch is in the way of the handles. I modified my Reese adapter . With the modification I can release the locking handles, and remove hitch, and Reese adapter in one unit....

Can you elaborate on what you mean here? Are you saying that if I permanently attach the Andersen to the rail frame, that I can not quick release and remove it on the Reese? That I would have to uninstall the Andersen from the picture frame in order to release the handles? That seems to defeat the whole purpose of using the quick release adapter. What am I misunderstanding?

[tiger275]

cummins2014 wrote:
I would personally chose the rail mount over the gooseneck every time. I do have the factory prep, and never gave the gooseneck Andersen a thought over the rail mount. Just the chance of bed deflection would keep me away from the Aluminum Anderson gooseneck hitch.

Which rail system do you use? one of the picture frame style? Are you able to unlatch and remove it with the Andersen permanently attached?

[tiger275]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Simply get the Ford version of this and don't worry about it! Rock solid no question if it's hitched or not and can be locked! Clean bed and no worries of bed deflection or having a space saving folding hitch! I use mine with the TrailAir air bag TriGlide system, great combo.

Thanks for the suggestion. While it is still an option to buy a more traditional hitch (since I don't have any hitch yet), I have essentially ruled out any of the heavier hitches for 2 reasons.

1. I would like to keep my bed weight as low as possible to provide the greatest leeway for payload.
2. I do not really have anyone else capable of helping me to install and remove the hitch and thus anything too bulky or heavy would be a no-go.

I know that if I wait around long enough on these forums, someone will suggest the BD5 or the Demco auto slider or any number of other hitches that are either very highly rated, offer lots of cushion/features or are made for the Ford factory puck system.

Like many of you likely did before your first purchase, I have been researching this for a very long time and I think I am going to try the Andersen first.

[tiger275]

laknox wrote:


Depends on whether you want a clean bed when the hitch is removed. GN gives you a clean bed; rails don't. If it doesn't matter, then go with what's easiest.

Both options I am considering would leave me with a clean bed since even the rail version I would use the quick install/remove picture frame adapter to my OEM puck system

[tiger275]

ependydad wrote:
How heavy is your trailer? The Reese picture frame adapter is only good up to 20k.

It is an Open Range RF374BHS Link

UVW 12,300
Hitch Weight 2,520
GVWR 16,470

[tiger275]

Durb wrote:
If I recall, the AUH minimum height setting is rather high relative to other hitches. Add an adapter and you are getting up there. I would call Andersen and the adapter manufacturer to find out how tall the overall assembly would be and see if it would fit the height limitations of your truck/trailer. Don't forget about the thickness of your pin adapter. Don't want to start out self imposed nose high.

The Aluminum (GN) version is 13" tall to the bottom of the ball and 16.5 to the top of the ball. Then adjustable to 17.625 and 18.75

The Steel (Rail) version is 12.5 tall to the bottom of the ball and 15.75 to the top of the ball. Then adjustable to 16.875 and 18.00

Add the thickness of rails and they are very similar.

[Cummins12V98]

JIMNLIN wrote:
http://www.pullrite.com/products/superlite-series/isr-series-superlite-four-point-4p-rail-mounted-fi...

If you like the Andersen take a look at the 20k PullRite Superlite hitch.

I agree, looks to be a very solid design.

[Cummins12V98]

fj12ryder wrote:

IBcarguy wrote:
I have the Andersen Ultimate hitch and so far I have no issues. There seems to be a lot of contraversy about this hitch, but there are always haters out there about anything that's new or not mainstream. I like the fact that it can be easily removed when I need my pick up bed.

Where did this stupid term "haters" come from and why is it that anyone who disagrees with someone's viewpoint becomes a "hater"? I guess it makes it much easier to ignore something from a "hater", instead of actually doing some homework about something that someone disagrees with.

I have been acused of being a HATER of ANDERSEN. Not true. They make quality products. I just would NEVER use the Aluminum one at anywhere the weights they claim.

[Cummins12V98]

WTP-GC wrote:

MFL wrote:

I am curious why you are not interested in the B&W for OEM Ford pucks? It is not heavy, and lifts out in two pieces...

The first line the OP's post:
"I have been trying to make a call on which version of the Andersen to pick..."
So the OP wants an Andersen...his mind is made up. Chances are that if they've made it this far to find the Andersen, they've already had a chance to review the other options. No reason to drive this thread off the tracks with suggestions of other hitches.

I would personally pick the one that does not mount to the rail. In my mind, the rail mounted one is intended for someone who doesn't have a GN ball or maybe someone who is going from a rail-mounted hitch to the Andersen.

NOTHING wrong with discussing other options!!!

[Cummins12V98]

IdaD wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Clean bed and no worries of bed deflection or having a space saving folding hitch!

Bed deflection would not be possible with the rail mount version and I haven't heard of a single "folding" issue with the steel Andersens, rail or gooseneck style.

I completely agree!

[Me_Again]

Rail mounted
Three height adjustments: 15-3/4" lower position, 16-7/8" middle position and 18" upper position (from top of rails to top of ball mount)

Gooseneck mounted
Three height adjustments: 16-3/4" lower position, 17-7/8" middle position and 19-1/8" upper position (from bed of truck to top of ball mount)

Looks like the accounted for 1 inch difference in height. I believe that The Ford 6175 PF is 1 3/8" tall similar to our RAM Demco 6099.