andersen hitch lock

[boingram]

...for those with the andersen fifth wheel hitch...how r u locking ur fifth wheel king pin...thx..

[ralphnjoann]

To get back to the OP's original question, I have a suggestion that might at least open a discussion in that direction. If I drill a 1/4 or 5/16ths inch hole centered about an inch above the handle mounting hole in the handle mounting plate, I can slip an eyebolt over the handle, put the threaded end through the hole and secure it with a nylock nut on the other side of the plate. It's not as good as a padlock solution and it might be inconvenient for some whose travel involves frequent hitching/unhitching, but it also might be enough to discourage random acts of mischief.

[Sport45]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Sport45 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

TGPILOT wrote:
About ten years or so ago, I pulled into a truck stop to get fuel in Ark. Later as I was pulling into a town a few miles further up the road I had to stop at a stop light. I noticed in my mirror that the trailer was pulling away from the truck and dropped on the bed before I could stop. Some stupid driver at the truck stop had pulled my pin. After that, I kept the pin locked and the hitch base locked to the bed. No more problems after that.

That's why there are 5 locks on my $1,200 hitch that connects to my 130K RV!

I have hit some badd roads that the RV would have came loose if it was not connected solidly.

The locks are nice, but not much of a deterrent to a determined thief. I don't want your hitch, but bet my son and I could have it out of your truck in less than two minutes with the tools I used to always have with me.

Of course someone could steel it but it's very unlikely with the locks. Biggest concern is some jerk pulling the hitch handle.

I know all you have to do is look every time before you pull away. I don't want to have to look every time I pull away.

Locks are a deterrent to the vast majority of criminals.

I suggest staying in the habit of looking at it often. That's an expensive bit of kit in the back of your truck. One of these days you may back up to your trailer and find you don't have a hitch or any idea when it left your possession.

[Cummins12V98]

Sport45 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

TGPILOT wrote:
About ten years or so ago, I pulled into a truck stop to get fuel in Ark. Later as I was pulling into a town a few miles further up the road I had to stop at a stop light. I noticed in my mirror that the trailer was pulling away from the truck and dropped on the bed before I could stop. Some stupid driver at the truck stop had pulled my pin. After that, I kept the pin locked and the hitch base locked to the bed. No more problems after that.

That's why there are 5 locks on my $1,200 hitch that connects to my 130K RV!

I have hit some badd roads that the RV would have came loose if it was not connected solidly.

The locks are nice, but not much of a deterrent to a determined thief. I don't want your hitch, but bet my son and I could have it out of your truck in less than two minutes with the tools I used to always have with me.

Of course someone could steel it but it's very unlikely with the locks. Biggest concern is some jerk pulling the hitch handle.

I know all you have to do is look every time before you pull away. I don't want to have to look every time I pull away.

Locks are a deterrent to the vast majority of criminals.

[cummins2014]

Sport45 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

TGPILOT wrote:
About ten years or so ago, I pulled into a truck stop to get fuel in Ark. Later as I was pulling into a town a few miles further up the road I had to stop at a stop light. I noticed in my mirror that the trailer was pulling away from the truck and dropped on the bed before I could stop. Some stupid driver at the truck stop had pulled my pin. After that, I kept the pin locked and the hitch base locked to the bed. No more problems after that.

That's why there are 5 locks on my $1,200 hitch that connects to my 130K RV!

I have hit some badd roads that the RV would have came loose if it was not connected solidly.

The locks are nice, but not much of a deterrent to a determined thief. I don't want your hitch, but bet my son and I could have it out of your truck in less than two minutes with the tools I used to always have with me.

Yup, that will keep the honest folks honest, all the rest just a very slight deterrent . But to each his own.

[Sport45]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

TGPILOT wrote:
About ten years or so ago, I pulled into a truck stop to get fuel in Ark. Later as I was pulling into a town a few miles further up the road I had to stop at a stop light. I noticed in my mirror that the trailer was pulling away from the truck and dropped on the bed before I could stop. Some stupid driver at the truck stop had pulled my pin. After that, I kept the pin locked and the hitch base locked to the bed. No more problems after that.

That's why there are 5 locks on my $1,200 hitch that connects to my 130K RV!

I have hit some badd roads that the RV would have came loose if it was not connected solidly.

The locks are nice, but not much of a deterrent to a determined thief. I don't want your hitch, but bet my son and I could have it out of your truck in less than two minutes with the tools I used to always have with me.

[N-Trouble]

If 2500+ lbs were to jump off the ball chances are you've got other major issues to tend to as well. Probably the least of your worries at that point.

[RustyJC]

Housted wrote:
Secondly comparing the Andersen or any other gooseneck type ball hitch to a TT is not close. When have you seen a TT with a tongue weight of 2500# to 3000#. Nuff said....

Housted

Hot-shotters running goosenecks run hitch weights WELL over 3000 lbs. My B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch is rated for 30,000 lbs trailer weight and 7,500 lbs hitch weight. Safety chains are still required by many states since the gooseneck hitch is a ball hitch, as is the Andersen.

Rusty

[Housted]

RustyJC wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Trailers jump off ball hitches all too often - that's why many states require safety chains with both receiver and gooseneck hitches (both ball hitches). How exactly is the Andersen hitch any different? Don't they offer safety chains for those states that require them?

Rusty

Two things, I never said it could not jump off the ball, I said I had driven on not perfect roads and it did not jump off. I do not recommend doing this it was a brain fade on my part. Secondly comparing the Andersen or any other gooseneck type ball hitch to a TT is not close. When have you seen a TT with a tongue weight of 2500# to 3000#. Nuff said....

Housted

[ralphnjoann]

Me Again wrote:

ralphnjoann wrote:

Housted wrote:

Allworth wrote:
In over ten years and a hundred thousand miles I have NEVER met anyone who actually claimed that hooligans had pulled their release handle while they were eating, shopping, hiking, or anywhere else. It is always "somebody else" who "heard about" such things.

Forget it and go camping.

X2 I don't worry about the hitch...:B

I have actually driven my 5er all day after having forgotten to lock the pin. NO bounce off or any other problem.

Housted

Well, ya never know. I'll bet somebody could get rich if they invented a BedSaver for an Andersen. I would buy one. Can't be too safe. :B

On edit: Wait...you're saying an Andersen wouldn't need a BedSaver because, unlike conventional fifth wheel hitches, it's highly unlikely that it would come off the hitch if you forgot to lock it? Well, in that case, never mind.

Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Since when did "highly unlikely" start meaning "never"?

[N-Trouble]

Can you say OCD... LOL

[Cummins12V98]

TGPILOT wrote:
About ten years or so ago, I pulled into a truck stop to get fuel in Ark. Later as I was pulling into a town a few miles further up the road I had to stop at a stop light. I noticed in my mirror that the trailer was pulling away from the truck and dropped on the bed before I could stop. Some stupid driver at the truck stop had pulled my pin. After that, I kept the pin locked and the hitch base locked to the bed. No more problems after that.

That's why there are 5 locks on my $1,200 hitch that connects to my 130K RV!

I have hit some badd roads that the RV would have came loose if it was not connected solidly.

[Scott_85]

e-light wrote:

RustyJC wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Trailers jump off ball hitches all too often - that's why many states require safety chains with both receiver and gooseneck hitches (both ball hitches). How exactly is the Andersen hitch any different? Don't they offer safety chains for those states that require them?

Rusty

Yes they do sell safety chains. I use them...just a little extra peace of mind. The way the hitch couples it would be very, very difficult if not impossible for it to unhitch once it's locked into place. There is a pin that slides under the ball. It would take failure of the metal components to cause failure. And the coupler itself is a solid block of aluminum. Never say never..I know...but after towing with it all season I have 100% confidence in the system. Its just like anything else though, take your time and double check everything.

I agree 100%. I use the chains. But once the hitch is down on the ball its not going anywhere minus catastrophic metal failure. I can see the turn bolt from the cab. There is no need to do a pull test either. I don't have to worry about high hitching or making sure the jaws lock in place. I just back underneath and drop the hitch on the ball turn the turn bolt or locking mech and hook the chains up along with the lights and brake and she is ready to go.

[e-light]

RustyJC wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Trailers jump off ball hitches all too often - that's why many states require safety chains with both receiver and gooseneck hitches (both ball hitches). How exactly is the Andersen hitch any different? Don't they offer safety chains for those states that require them?

Rusty

Yes they do sell safety chains. I use them...just a little extra peace of mind. The way the hitch couples it would be very, very difficult if not impossible for it to unhitch once it's locked into place. There is a pin that slides under the ball. It would take failure of the metal components to cause failure. And the coupler itself is a solid block of aluminum. Never say never..I know...but after towing with it all season I have 100% confidence in the system. Its just like anything else though, take your time and double check everything.

[RustyJC]

Me Again wrote:
Thinking it could never jump of the ball is fool hearty! Stuff happens. Chris

Trailers jump off ball hitches all too often - that's why many states require safety chains with both receiver and gooseneck hitches (both ball hitches). How exactly is the Andersen hitch any different? Don't they offer safety chains for those states that require them?

Rusty