Andersen Aluminum Ultimate and RAM OEM puck

[eb145]

Just passing along some information to help others out that might be in the same situation I am now in.

I have a 2014 RAM 3500 SRW crew cab with the RAM OEM 5th wheel prep.

I just purchased the Andersen Aluminum Ultimate 5th wheel hitch (goose neck version) and I ordered the Andersen safety chains to use with it. I will be using the safety chains to minimize the chance of the trailer falling off the rear of the truck in case of goose ball failure, as well as to help keep the trailer out of the back seat of the truck cab in case of a collision.

I purchased the Curt brand goose neck ball and safety chain anchor kit that is compatible with the RAM OEM 5th wheel prep.

And when I went to do a test assembly last night I found a little surprise / incompatibility:

It turns out the Curt safety chain anchors can't be used in my truck with the Andersen hitch. The reason is the Curt safety chain anchors are manufactured with an angle to the anchor loops and they use a pin that needs to be clipped on that interfere with the base of the Andersen pyramid. Here is a picture of the Curt product:


The angle on the anchor loops and the way the pin is used to secure the anchor loop to the truck just doesn't work in my setup.

So,I looked closely at pictures of the Reese brand gooseneck ball and safety chain anchor and I see it will work with my setup so I ordered it. You can see the Reese brand anchor chain is a different shape and has a different attachment mechanism that will not interfere with the Andersen pyramid base.


So in summary, the Curt brand safety chain anchors fit my 2014 RAM 3500 SRW crew cab but they can't be used with the Andersen Aluminum Ultimate 5th wheel hitch due to the shape of the Curt brand anchors.

Hopefully this information will save someone the aggravation of discovering this for themselves the hard way.

Ed

[Sport45]

^^ I like it! ^^

Too bad it doesn't really work that way. Working out keeps you fit "for your age" it doesn't mean at 80 you can lift what you could at 30. I know my 90yo dad wishes he could just still get around like he did at 70 (or 80).

[Me_Again]

A body does need a bit of a work out from time to time. Light weights that just lay around become more light weight! Chris

[Sport45]

I guess that explains why the highways are littered with Andersen users laying on their sides... 😉

I think the extra weight of traditional 5th wheel hitches might lead to premature tire failure in the tow vehicle. A rear wheel blowout at speed could lead to a panic stop and jackknife killing the owners and all around them. 🙂

That was said in jest, of course. But one serious thing I'm considering is that I'll be getting older each year. Whatever hitch I buy won't be getting any lighter.

[Me_Again]

face_down wrote:
they have better movement than the 3-axis system of a 5er hitch.

Which I think might make a blow over occur more easily!

[face_down]

Other advantages to the Anderson are that they are grease-less and they have better movement than the 3-axis system of a 5er hitch.

[N-Trouble]

Me Again wrote:

up2nogood wrote:



Probably edited out trying to convince someone that has already convinced themselves that something won't work, and not having a clue about it to start with.

Or it will wear out the landing gear because of an increase in height , wonder how many reps that will take, or maybe the individual did some study . :h

The Andersen hitch has two advantages that I am aware of:
1. It is cheaper than most traditional 5th wheel hitches
2. It is lighter than most traditional 5th wheel hitches

It is not going to tow any differently once on the road.

We have already covered dis-advantages in many threads so I will not bother to repeat those.

Chris

I disagree. Have towed with Reese 5er hitches in the past and they always bucked/chucked and made a lot of noise when taking off or traveling bad roads. Not so with the Andersen. This is coming from someone who has actually USED both not just talked about them on the internet...

Yes you can spend time shimming legs and other things on the Reese and try to remove some of the slop but there is no fiddling with the Andersen. It is rock solid out of the box. There are plenty of posts/reports out there of Reese owners complaining of noise/chucking. Here's an example. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24297433/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

I could probably find 20 more just like it.

Try to find a similar report on an Andersen...

[Orezona]

up2nogood wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Orezona wrote:

Why would it feel any different than any other 5th wheel hitch?

Because it is a piece of junk unsafe ball with chains that will kill your family and everybody else on the road.

5.9 mechanical, 5.9 common rail, 7.3 power stroke, 6.0 power stroke, 6.6 duramax LBZ, blah blah blah.

Hook it up, use it, pull it, have fun.

There, I said it.

WOW I wonder what was edited?

Probably edited out trying to convince someone that has already convinced themselves that something won't work, and not having a clue about it to start with.

Or it will wear out the landing gear because of an increase in height , wonder how many reps that will take, or maybe the individual did some study . :h

I have the Anderson Ultimate hitch.

[Me_Again]

up2nogood wrote:



Probably edited out trying to convince someone that has already convinced themselves that something won't work, and not having a clue about it to start with.

Or it will wear out the landing gear because of an increase in height , wonder how many reps that will take, or maybe the individual did some study . :h

The Andersen hitch has two advantages that I am aware of:
1. It is cheaper than most traditional 5th wheel hitches
2. It is lighter than most traditional 5th wheel hitches

It is not going to tow any differently once on the road.

We have already covered dis-advantages in many threads so I will not bother to repeat those.

Chris

[Me_Again]

And why wouldn't it pull just as smooth as the Reese. The only hitch that would tow differently would be an air hitch. Chris

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Orezona wrote:

Why would it feel any different than any other 5th wheel hitch?

Because it is a piece of junk unsafe ball with chains that will kill your family and everybody else on the road.

5.9 mechanical, 5.9 common rail, 7.3 power stroke, 6.0 power stroke, 6.6 duramax LBZ, blah blah blah.

Hook it up, use it, pull it, have fun.

There, I said it.

WOW I wonder what was edited?

Probably edited out trying to convince someone that has already convinced themselves that something won't work, and not having a clue about it to start with.

Or it will wear out the landing gear because of an increase in height , wonder how many reps that will take, or maybe the individual did some study . :h

[Orezona]

WOW I wonder what was edited?

I don't remember. Haha. I've had a Reese slider hitch and now the Anderson Ultimate. Only pulled once with the Anderson but it was smooth....

[Cummins12V98]

Orezona wrote:

Why would it feel any different than any other 5th wheel hitch?

Because it is a piece of junk unsafe ball with chains that will kill your family and everybody else on the road.

5.9 mechanical, 5.9 common rail, 7.3 power stroke, 6.0 power stroke, 6.6 duramax LBZ, blah blah blah.

Hook it up, use it, pull it, have fun.

There, I said it.

WOW I wonder what was edited?

[Orezona]

Why would it feel any different than any other 5th wheel hitch?

Because it is a piece of junk unsafe ball with chains that will kill your family and everybody else on the road.

5.9 mechanical, 5.9 common rail, 7.3 power stroke, 6.0 power stroke, 6.6 duramax LBZ, blah blah blah.

Hook it up, use it, pull it, have fun.

There, I said it.

[cummins2014]

Me Again wrote:

e-light wrote:
Awesome! Youre going to love the way it feels while towing. Im heading out for an 1800 mile round trip with mine tomorrow. Cant wait...stress free. Congrats enjoy!

Why would it feel any different than any other 5th wheel hitch?

How many other 5th wheel hitches have you towed with?

Or are you refering to towing a 5th wheel vs a bumper pull?

Chris

Why don't you give it up, the Andersen hitch is not going away . Talk about something you think you know about ,like tires .

[Cummins12V98]

ranchertx wrote:

rskeans wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

rskeans wrote:
He's not pulling it with a goose neck. He's just using the goose neck ball in the truck bed. The Andersen attaches to the bed goose neck ball. The advantage is that he has full use of the truck bed when removing the 32 lb hitch. Check out Andersen ultimate 5th wheel hitch to understand what's happening.

Call it what you want, it is still a ball hitch, and requires safety chains in most states. It is not a 5et wheel in the true terms of pin and ball.

True. Safety Chains are certainly not a big deal. When I plug in to the 7-pin, and connect my 'break-away' switch, I also spend about 2 seconds each slapping the safety chains on the Eye-Bolts. I'm not sure I understand the revelance of your last sentence.

Fyi, in Texas, no safety chains required.

Why limit your travels to such a small State? :B