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?

[Super_Dave]

I have an Andersen hitch on a B&W hiding ball. I am unable to lower hitch enough to get the trailer level for towing. I am going to try and raise my pin. My point being that anything like an adapter that raises the hitch could be very problematic.

[WTP-GC]

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.

From the Urban Dictionary (a highly acclaimed literary source):
Hater - A term used to deflect criticism and erect a mental dissonance that allows one to ignore further criticism in continued delusion of one's own competence, skill or talent.

But in this sense, it would appear that there are a certain group of people (as in all walks of life) that choose to ignore the quality of one product or methodology because they feel their preferred product or methodology is greatly superior, and they should thusly sing it from the mountaintops regardless of how on/off topic their statement is.

An example on this forum would be:
OP - "Hi, I'm thinking about buying new tires for my pop-up trailer. Any good experience with XYZ brand?"
Response - "As long as you get a B & W Hitch, you'll be just fine (insert picture of hitch here)"

[MFL]

post partially mod deleted

[JIMNLIN]

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.

[IdaD]

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 version is gooseneck only, so there would be no adapter if OP bought it. The rail mount version would need an adapter to fit the factory pucks. I don't know if the adapter would add more height than standard mounted rails or not.

[fj12ryder]

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.

[Durb]

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.

[Merrykalia]

We have the original Anderson (not aluminum) in our Ford F350 dually. We LOVE it. We have the rail version, but we wanted something that didn't take two people to get out of the bed of the truck. I can easily detach and carry it with one arm. Yes, the rails are still in the bed, but for ease, this was the way for us to go.

[IBcarguy]

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.

[cummins2014]

Me Again wrote:

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

And the Demco picture frame is most likely a better one, rated to 25K. Chris

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Demco-RV/DM6175.html

You are correct, if 25K is needed. Otherwise all you get with the Demco is spending more money, over $100.00 for the Demco over the Reese 30156.

Demco makes no sense period if you go with the rail mount Andersen rated at 20K, only if you were going a conventional fifth wheel hitch, which the OP is not.

[cummins2014]

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.

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.

[cummins2014]

tiger275 wrote:
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?

I have the Reese picture adapter, and the rail mount steel Andersen. I can't imagine needing anything lighter as far as install or removal.

I like the idea of a four point attachment ,both adapter ,and hitch over the gooseneck attachment with the bed supporting the hitch, instead the four points attached to the frame of the truck. Also the chance of bed deflection with the gooseneck. None of that with the rail mount.

Unless you need more then 20K , the rail mount Andersen is the way to go. As far as adapters with the Andersen , Reese is the better option as I mentioned in my previous post, the Reese is cheaper. There is NO advantage to the Demco with a rail mount Andersen, other then spending more money.

[WTP-GC]

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.

[cummins2014]

JTrac wrote:
I have the Reese adapter. It serves its purpose but I will probably be getting the Demco 6175 adapter for the Ford puck system. What I don't like about the Reese is it sits 3 3/8 inches above the bed floor. I never thought about this when I got it. I have limited adjustments with my Trailer Saver BD3 and could make up some but not all of the additional height. The Ford's sit higher than my previous GMC which adds to the issue. The Demco sits 1 7/8 inches above the floor which should be just about right for me. I know little to nothing about the Anderson's and they may have plenty of adjustment ability. Just a heads up.

Where did you come up with 3*3/8 above the bed floor, the Reese picture frame is made out of 2" X 3" tubing with the 2" being the height. Its 2" plus whatever the plastic inserts on the pucks it sits on above the floor of the bed. I know I own own. No where near 3*3/8". I would venture to say there is no more then 1/2" difference between the Reese ,and the Demco. You may want to check your tape measure , its got an issue 🙂

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 with an overhead electric hoist in my garage. Now with the rail mount Andersen its a mute point on the locking handles, I take them out separate if a clean bed is needed.

As far as Reese or Demco adapter, I would go Reese every time with the Andersen , reason being price ,the Reese is cheaper, and they both serve the same function.

[IdaD]

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.