Andersen Aluminum Ultimate and RAM OEM puck
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...
Forum Discussion
First the Andersen in not a GN. It is just a 'Ball Coupler'. It has no more stresses on the 5ver than just the King Pin. A straight Goose Neck connection gives more room in the truck bed, but puts a lot of added stress on the 5ver frame due to the 'Elephant Trunk' handing down from the 5ver frame.
Lining up the ball on the Andersen is a piece of cake. You can see the ball from the drivers seat. Back the ball to the front of the adapter mounted on the 5ver. That takes care of the horizontal position. I get out of the truck and check how much more I need to place the ball under the receptacle on the 5ver. Normally just a few inches. I back the few inches and check to see if I'm within about 3/4 inch. If so I'm good to go. Lower the 5ver and close the locking knob. That's it. While I'm there I slap the safety chains on the hooks, about 2 seconds each, connect the breakaway switch and plug in the electrical.
I have had both types of 5ver hitches. Both do the job. However, I really prefer the Andersen both for hooking up and unhooking. But it's all preference and comfort level. Either will work just fine. The big thing about the Andersen for me was:
1. Weighs 32lbs. I'm 75 and just cannot manhandle the normal hitch anymore.
2. I can remove the hitch, turnover the ball in the bed and have a totally flat bed.
3. Out of season I can just hang the Andersen on the garage wall. It's only 32lbs!
There is no wrong choice! Just do what logically fits your comfort level.
Lining up the ball on the Andersen is a piece of cake. You can see the ball from the drivers seat. Back the ball to the front of the adapter mounted on the 5ver. That takes care of the horizontal position. I get out of the truck and check how much more I need to place the ball under the receptacle on the 5ver. Normally just a few inches. I back the few inches and check to see if I'm within about 3/4 inch. If so I'm good to go. Lower the 5ver and close the locking knob. That's it. While I'm there I slap the safety chains on the hooks, about 2 seconds each, connect the breakaway switch and plug in the electrical.
I have had both types of 5ver hitches. Both do the job. However, I really prefer the Andersen both for hooking up and unhooking. But it's all preference and comfort level. Either will work just fine. The big thing about the Andersen for me was:
1. Weighs 32lbs. I'm 75 and just cannot manhandle the normal hitch anymore.
2. I can remove the hitch, turnover the ball in the bed and have a totally flat bed.
3. Out of season I can just hang the Andersen on the garage wall. It's only 32lbs!
There is no wrong choice! Just do what logically fits your comfort level.
