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

[DirtyOil]

45Ricochet wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:

avvidclif1 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
There is a very sad post a while back on Fifth-Wheels titled "Please Be Careful!"

That accident is why there is no way I would want an Andersen either steel or aluminum!

Post a link or it's a rumor....

Please Be Careful!

I might have missed it since I didn't read all 4 pages but the OP showed a Dually and 5er. Was that photo a Anderson hitch? It appeared that the 5er became dislodged from the pickup which ever hitch was used, crashing into the pickup.

uhm... not a fifth wheel RV... that is a horse trailer with living quarters... a GOOSE NECK trailer and it certainly wouldn't be using an Andersen Ultimate hitch... no need.

[45Ricochet]

jerem0621 wrote:

avvidclif1 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
There is a very sad post a while back on Fifth-Wheels titled "Please Be Careful!"

That accident is why there is no way I would want an Andersen either steel or aluminum!

Post a link or it's a rumor....

Please Be Careful!

I might have missed it since I didn't read all 4 pages but the OP showed a Dually and 5er. Was that photo a Anderson hitch? It appeared that the 5er became dislodged from the pickup which ever hitch was used, crashing into the pickup.

[jerem0621]

avvidclif1 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
There is a very sad post a while back on Fifth-Wheels titled "Please Be Careful!"

That accident is why there is no way I would want an Andersen either steel or aluminum!

Post a link or it's a rumor....

Please Be Careful!

[avvidclif1]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
There is a very sad post a while back on Fifth-Wheels titled "Please Be Careful!"

That accident is why there is no way I would want an Andersen either steel or aluminum!

Post a link or it's a rumor....

[Cummins12V98]

There is a very sad post a while back on Fifth-Wheels titled "Please Be Careful!"

That accident is why there is no way I would want an Andersen either steel or aluminum!

[hammerdown200]

I love my Anderson Hitch and after a couple of my buddies saw how good it pulls they switched also. Hook up is a dream I couldn't be more pleased!!

[rskeans]

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.

[calewjohnson]

Someone educate me please...

I was ecstatic to finally get a FW so I could easily hook up without having to hunt for the ball hitch trying to hook up a bumper pull.

I always see people wanting a gooseneck connection to for their fiver, but I am ignorant to the benefits of a gooseneck. Sure, it is a ball with a positive connection point when hooked up, but so is my fiver connection, after a test pull prior to lifting the legs (a means of verifying the FW is in fact coupled). With no camera in the bed, I would feel like I was hunting for the hitch again, like a bumper pull...

Also, just looking at the Andersen install instructions, the support point is forward of the kingpin, and it is a single point of stress, does this not put undue stress on any of the parts? It seems as though the FW plate distributes the force over a larger area?

Another question, is there a tow difference between the two types (FW vs GN)?

Thanks

Cale

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
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

Kinda looks like a Andersen hitch the old guy is leaning on.

Yep, might be the only ball remaining that still works. Chris

HAAAA Too funny!

[Cummins12V98]

psuce wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Kinda looks like a Andersen hitch the old guy is leaning on.

Probably needs the walker after years of lifting his "other" hitch in and out! :B

No doubt!

[psuce]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Kinda looks like a Andersen hitch the old guy is leaning on.

Probably needs the walker after years of lifting his "other" hitch in and out! :B

[Sport45]

Me Again wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
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

Kinda looks like a Andersen hitch the old guy is leaning on.

Yep, might be the only ball remaining that still works. Chris

Could be, but since he may have lost the other one on Iwo Jima I'll cut him some slack. 🙂

Didn't your momma teach you to respect your elders?

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Tough crowd in here. Tough!

[Me_Again]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
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

Kinda looks like a Andersen hitch the old guy is leaning on.

Yep, might be the only ball remaining that still works. Chris

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:
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

Kinda looks like a Andersen hitch the old guy is leaning on.