Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel - dents in bed

[kohai]

After 4 years with the Andersen ultimate 5th wheel hitch, I have had my first experience with two small dents in my bed. There was a lot of bed rebound when I loosened the hitch. I emailed Andersen twice with no response so I'm seeing what you all have to say. This is the original steal version.

(Those naysayers who just want to bash Andersen, please do that on another thread -- don't hijack this one.)

Two questions I'm wondering:

1. Did I not torque it down right this trip? What would I have done wrong? I know this trip the two front bolts ended up loose at some point during the trip. I can't fit my torque wrench in to torque the top bolt when hitched with the adapter reversed to check it after wait is on it.

2. The B&W Companion has spacers that they add under it to give more support. Is such a thing available for the Andersen? Is there a DIY solution?

I'm thinking two things I will change next trip:

1. I have rubber mats under the sides but not the front and back. I'll try to change that to cover all areas the andersen touches the bed.

2. Try to find a way to torque the top bolt after the trailer is on.

[jerem0621]

cummins2014 wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Been using the steel version of the Anderson ball mount for 3 years." "I have had no issues with a bent/damaged bed"

I thought the steel versions were all mounted to rails?

Nope, the AUH comes in three flavors.

1) Steel Above bed fifth wheel rail mount
2) Steel single point mount (gooseneck ball)
3) Aluminum single point mount (gooseneck ball)

Thanks!

Jeremiah

There may have been a steel single point mount version offered at one time, not anymore . Just the two the Aluminum gooseneck mounted ,and the rail mounted steel.

Thank you for the update!

Jeremiah

[minnow]

cummins2014 wrote:


How long has it been since they discontinued the gooseneck steel version, I see its no longer offered, just the steel rail mount

I noted it about 6 months ago.

[prfssr]

WTP-GC wrote:

prfssr wrote:
I remove my AUH about 4 times per year to clean the bed, carry other items or do further inspections of the unit and the bed of the truck.

As a AUH user, I'll be honest here...
If I only had to remove my hitch 4 times a year, I'd always pick a more traditional style hitch unless there were some other reason for needing the AUH. Note that when I was using the AUH, it was on my flatbed and I had no other decent option available without having to make some mods to the bed.

We don't full time and only use the truck for now to tow the 5th wheel. I move my golf cart from house to seasonal campground at the beginning of the year and then back at the end. I then use the truck in the summer time to get yard stuff, etc. I do not want to bother other folks to help me move a full size hitch, don't have shop that has a hoist to remove and the wife is not capable to help - hence a nice 72 lb. removable hitch that has worked well with my application for 3+ years.

[cummins2014]

WTP-GC wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

kohai wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I like the reputation of the B&W but I don't like the weight but I like that it is a 5th wheel hitch."

If you are worrying about the difference in weight it may be time to consider a truck that you don't have to worry about every #.

You assume it's the truck I'm worried about... it's not, it's my back. 🙂

I am sorry I keep hearing these "excuses". You don't have any able bodied kids or friends?

If you are happy that is all that matters.

What does your RV weigh? The reports I have heard about are with heavier RV's.

Post #1 - 2014 Primetime Crusader 296BHS
So I'm guessing this is in the 10K-11K pound range.

I lift my new B & W in and out with a small chain hoist in my shop. Set it on a furniture dolly and roll it anywhere I want.

Works great at home ,did the same thing, doesn't work worth a darn away from home. Reason for going to the Andersen hitch.

I don't want to be hunting up someone or taking a hitch apart, so I can transport my pontoon boat to a river or lake. I like the convince of being able to remove that hitch when ,and where I want to by myself.

[cummins2014]

N-Trouble wrote:
Joining this discussuon a bit late. I had a similar deflection issue early on with my steel Andersen. I found my B&W Turnover hitch was not properly torqued allowing it to move. Havent had any problems in the last 3yr

How long has it been since they discontinued the gooseneck steel version, I see its no longer offered, just the steel rail mount

[cummins2014]

jerem0621 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Been using the steel version of the Anderson ball mount for 3 years." "I have had no issues with a bent/damaged bed"

I thought the steel versions were all mounted to rails?

Nope, the AUH comes in three flavors.

1) Steel Above bed fifth wheel rail mount
2) Steel single point mount (gooseneck ball)
3) Aluminum single point mount (gooseneck ball)

Thanks!

Jeremiah

There may have been a steel single point mount version offered at one time, not anymore . Just the two the Aluminum gooseneck mounted ,and the rail mounted steel.

[kohai]

N-Trouble wrote:
Joining this discussuon a bit late. I had a similar deflection issue early on with my steel Andersen. I found my B&W Turnover hitch was not properly torqued allowing it to move. Havent had any problems in the last 3yr

good to know, I'll check it out.

[N-Trouble]

Joining this discussuon a bit late. I had a similar deflection issue early on with my steel Andersen. I found my B&W Turnover hitch was not properly torqued allowing it to move. Havent had any problems in the last 3yr

[WTP-GC]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

kohai wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I like the reputation of the B&W but I don't like the weight but I like that it is a 5th wheel hitch."

If you are worrying about the difference in weight it may be time to consider a truck that you don't have to worry about every #.

You assume it's the truck I'm worried about... it's not, it's my back. 🙂

I am sorry I keep hearing these "excuses". You don't have any able bodied kids or friends?

If you are happy that is all that matters.

What does your RV weigh? The reports I have heard about are with heavier RV's.

Post #1 - 2014 Primetime Crusader 296BHS
So I'm guessing this is in the 10K-11K pound range.

I lift my new B & W in and out with a small chain hoist in my shop. Set it on a furniture dolly and roll it anywhere I want.

[Cummins12V98]

kohai wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I like the reputation of the B&W but I don't like the weight but I like that it is a 5th wheel hitch."

If you are worrying about the difference in weight it may be time to consider a truck that you don't have to worry about every #.

You assume it's the truck I'm worried about... it's not, it's my back. 🙂

I am sorry I keep hearing these "excuses". You don't have any able bodied kids or friends?

If you are happy that is all that matters.

What does your RV weigh? The reports I have heard about are with heavier RV's.

[WTP-GC]

prfssr wrote:
I remove my AUH about 4 times per year to clean the bed, carry other items or do further inspections of the unit and the bed of the truck.

As a AUH user, I'll be honest here...
If I only had to remove my hitch 4 times a year, I'd always pick a more traditional style hitch unless there were some other reason for needing the AUH. Note that when I was using the AUH, it was on my flatbed and I had no other decent option available without having to make some mods to the bed.

[kohai]

prfssr wrote:
I have been using the AUH steel version (non-rail) for almost 4 years on the same truck. I have a Rhino spray in bed liner and have zero indication of bed dents. I remove my AUH about 4 times per year to clean the bed, carry other items or do further inspections of the unit and the bed of the truck. I have not seen any type of wear on anything. I have reviewed the bolts to ensure no stretching or distorted threads - again with no issues found. I have had on one trip the 2 front bolts come loose but the top one remained tight. I torque them accordingly and have had zero issues or concerns.
If a "bed dent" is the crushing of your spray in bed liner then it may be a thin area when it was sprayed. I am unsure without seeing photos of what your classifying as bed dents.
Anyways - my AUH has performed flawlessly.

No, they are dents not just cosmetic spray in liner stuff. They are small. I think it had to do with how it was torqued down since the two front came loose. I'm going to get a crowfoot adapter to make sure I can check the top bolt after putting the weight on the trailer.

[kohai]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I like the reputation of the B&W but I don't like the weight but I like that it is a 5th wheel hitch."

If you are worrying about the difference in weight it may be time to consider a truck that you don't have to worry about every #.

You assume it's the truck I'm worried about... it's not, it's my back. 🙂

[Cummins12V98]

"I like the reputation of the B&W but I don't like the weight but I like that it is a 5th wheel hitch."

If you are worrying about the difference in weight it may be time to consider a truck that you don't have to worry about every #.