Andersen Ultimate Aluminum - first tow PIREP

[gkainz]

I made a trial tow up the little hill just west of me today (I-70 Golden, CO to Floyd Hill - just a short run - 30 miles of 6-7% grade). The "trial run" because almost everything new except the 5er to kick off this camping season. New to me TV - '07 Ram CTD that came with a gooseneck ball installed. I bought the Andersen Ultimate aluminum hitch and hooked up my '10 Laredo 245 RL.

The hitch, plus the ball to kingpin adapter puts the kingpin about 6" behind the axle, a bit further back than my '97 rode with the Valley 16k hitch but everything cleared tailgate and bed so I'm happy with that.

One little heartstopping "clunk" (aren't we all hair-triggered for "something" to go wrong on a test tow?). Apparently I did not securely latch the tailgate and it fell open with a loud clunk. Whew, minor details and deep breath! However, 5 minutes later something else clunked! Near as I can tell nothing moved or broke, so maybe the hitch just settled in or shifted on the gooseneck ball. There were no further noises or oddities on the test run.

The Andersen is noticeably tighter - no chucking, slop or movement of any kind in this hitch when compared to my Valley (which was not bad itself).

The Andersen was very easy to hook up, easy to line up and back under - just as easy as my traditional 5er hitch.

I've got a pretty steep driveway where I park my 5er, and there didn't appear to be any issues with bed clearance anywhere thru pulling out or backing in.

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

SkiSmuggs wrote:

No, Poppy, I can't do anything major until I pay off my truck in five years. We looked like we had a major RV expense last fall and bought a 3 year ESA to cover it. Turned out the problem resolved itself, but we are keeping the fiver for the life of the ESA and the truck payments. So now, I have solar to install and would like to make an LP connection for the Mr Heater Buddy, plus wet bolts and SRE4000 equalizer.
As much as I would love a GD 337 or Solitude 320X, it is not happening in the near future.

I understand. Well, you have the new truck and you will love it. I looked at the SRE4000's after I went to 16" wheels on my 299RKS but traded before I got around to it. I think it will be a great improvement.

Good luck. Have a good camping season!

[SkiSmuggs]

Poppy's 5th Wheel wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:

As one who pulled my 9500 lb fifth wheel with an F150 for 3 seasons, I have to laugh at this as I was told I was going to kill myself, my family and their family. My truck being rated to tow 11K and having a 1850 lb payload didn't change any minds. Some just have trouble adjusting to new things.

Hey SkiSmuggs, I haven't seen you post lately. I see you got your new truck. Congratulations! You're all set for your next move. Still thinking about next year?

No, Poppy, I can't do anything major until I pay off my truck in five years. We looked like we had a major RV expense last fall and bought a 3 year ESA to cover it. Turned out the problem resolved itself, but we are keeping the fiver for the life of the ESA and the truck payments. So now, I have solar to install and would like to make an LP connection for the Mr Heater Buddy, plus wet bolts and SRE4000 equalizer.
As much as I would love a GD 337 or Solitude 320X, it is not happening in the near future.

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

SkiSmuggs wrote:

As one who pulled my 9500 lb fifth wheel with an F150 for 3 seasons, I have to laugh at this as I was told I was going to kill myself, my family and their family. My truck being rated to tow 11K and having a 1850 lb payload didn't change any minds. Some just have trouble adjusting to new things.

Hey SkiSmuggs, I haven't seen you post lately. I see you got your new truck. Congratulations! You're all set for your next move. Still thinking about next year?

[SkiSmuggs]

minnow wrote:
According to some opinionated members here (who by the way, don't own this hitch), you are lucky you be alive, didn't have this poorly designed hitch fold like a cheap tent or drive off the road running over innocent babies and the elderly. No, your positive report will not set well with the crowd at all.

As one who pulled my 9500 lb fifth wheel with an F150 for 3 seasons, I have to laugh at this as I was told I was going to kill myself, my family and their family. My truck being rated to tow 11K and having a 1850 lb payload didn't change any minds. Some just have trouble adjusting to new things.

[Scott_85]

This is the pvc I use to get the hitch to the right height.

The "pin" is just in front of the rear axle. here is the set up in the bed.

[Scott_85]

The last thing I am saying on this side track. If things are going to fail they are going to fail and nothing we can do will prevent it. What if the chains have a weak link. What if the coupling on a 5th wheel hitch fail and there is no chains to stop it.

Why do they put chains on heavy equipment going down the road? It sure ain't going to stop if the equipment starts moving it is to keep it from moving but if it starts to move them chain are going to snap and snap rather quickly.

[Me_Again]

Sport45 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
If I was a LEO I would sight you for having safety chains from the adapter block verses the pin box, as the adapter is not an OEM part of the trailer. Chris

How many with travel trailers hook their safety chains directly to the tow vehicle? I'll wager not many. Almost every arrangement I've seen has them attached to the receiver. Connecting to the adapter block is no different.

Like a crystallized ball or coupler failure on bumper pulls the safety chains are to connect from the trailer frame to the vehicle beyond the draw bar components(aka tabs on the receiver body and such). The Andersen block could have a crystallized failure the same way under conditions like those that create ball or coupler failure on a bumper pull AKA like of lubrication or failure of special anti-friction component.

[Sport45]

Scott_85 wrote:
When something is permanently mounted to the trailer or tow vehicle it becomes part of the vehicle. It would be hard to argue that the frame is part of the vehicle but the axles aren’t. Hitches both bumper and gooseneck are designed to have safety chains connected to them because both become part of the vehicle once bolted or welded to the frame. In the event that safety chains are used it would be safe to assume that you are screwed and the chains are there just to stop the trailer and to keep it from becoming a projectile down the interstate.

Right. And even if the set screws come loose the Andersen adapter block is not going to be coming off the trailer's pin as long as either of the through-bolts are still in place.

The Andersen safety chain arrangement seems to meet all the necessary requirements IMHO.

[rskeans]

Shepherd wrote:
Very interesting I have never owned a fifthwheel with safety chains.:h

It has to do with the 'coupler'. Many States say that with a ball coupler safety chains are required. Since it is so easy to attach the chains I do it automatically.

[Scott_85]

Cause it isn't a 5th wheel with the Andersen

[Shepherd]

Very interesting I have never owned a fifthwheel with safety chains.:h

[Scott_85]

When something is permanently mounted to the trailer or tow vehicle it becomes part of the vehicle. It would be hard to argue that the frame is part of the vehicle but the axles aren’t. Hitches both bumper and gooseneck are designed to have safety chains connected to them because both become part of the vehicle once bolted or welded to the frame. In the event that safety chains are used it would be safe to assume that you are screwed and the chains are there just to stop the trailer and to keep it from becoming a projectile down the interstate.

[Sport45]

Me Again wrote:
If I was a LEO I would sight you for having safety chains from the adapter block verses the pin box, as the adapter is not an OEM part of the trailer. Chris

How many with travel trailers hook their safety chains directly to the tow vehicle? I'll wager not many. Almost every arrangement I've seen has them attached to the receiver. Connecting to the adapter block is no different.

[jerem0621]

Chris, are you an LEO?

First time I have ever heard a comment like that concerning the Andersen chain kit. That's not a home brew chain kit...

Just wondering really, I've read several states regs and never...ever... Read anything similar to what you wrote concerning safety chains and their mounting on the trailer.

Thanks!

Jeremiah