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.

[C_Schomer]

That's a slick deal... I've never seen one. Looks a lot lighter than a 5er hitch. I've always traded my extended pin boxes for the shorter boxes and it makes a big difference in the 5er frame flexing so I would also say to put the pin ahead of the ball and see if everything else clears. BTW, I lived just south of Standley Lake on Jellison Ct. before we moved here and going up to the Genesee exit was my test track when I had my 97 CTD.
Is your 07 the 5.9 or the 6.7? Craig

[rskeans]

kohai wrote:

gkainz wrote:
Scott and Poppy - How does your kingpin line up on the axle using the Andersen? Like I noted, mine looks to be about 6" behind the axle, using a non-calibrated Mk1 Mod O eyeball. If I reverse the adapter block, I think it will be ahead of the axle and maybe exactly over the g/n ball. But, not sure if I have the clearance between truck and 5er for that ... I may test that in the driveway to see.

I flipped my adapter because I was concerned about the back of my pinbox hitting the side rails of my bed. It puts the original king pin about over the axle. So, maybe 3" farther forward than you have yours.

That's exactly what I did. I noticed that the rear of the pin box on a 90deg turn could hit the side of the bed. By reversing the adapter I moved the king pin forward about 5-6in and gave myself plenty of bed clearance.

[ralphnjoann]

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.

Boy, that's the truth. I shudder to think of all the people who are going to be killed because there is presently no way to secure the locking mechanism to prevent tampering. I mean, who would ever think to look at the handle to make sure it was closed.

[gkainz]

Guess I'll rotate my adapter tonight and see how things fit.

[kohai]

gkainz wrote:
Scott and Poppy - How does your kingpin line up on the axle using the Andersen? Like I noted, mine looks to be about 6" behind the axle, using a non-calibrated Mk1 Mod O eyeball. If I reverse the adapter block, I think it will be ahead of the axle and maybe exactly over the g/n ball. But, not sure if I have the clearance between truck and 5er for that ... I may test that in the driveway to see.

I flipped my adapter because I was concerned about the back of my pinbox hitting the side rails of my bed. It puts the original king pin about over the axle. So, maybe 3" farther forward than you have yours.

[cummins2014]

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.

You can count on it. There is a couple that have extensive experience in campground surveys , and have declared themselves experts on the Andersen, Oh yes you are correct, they have never owned one .

The Andersen is turning out to be a great product for the heavy fifth wheels from all the reports. Certainly is something to look into, instead of paying the high dollar for B&W, Pullrite etc.

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

gkainz wrote:
Scott and Poppy - How does your kingpin line up on the axle using the Andersen? Like I noted, mine looks to be about 6" behind the axle, using a non-calibrated Mk1 Mod O eyeball. If I reverse the adapter block, I think it will be ahead of the axle and maybe exactly over the g/n ball. But, not sure if I have the clearance between truck and 5er for that ... I may test that in the driveway to see.

Yeah, looking at your pictures it does appear further back than mine. Based on the gooseneck connection I don't see any way around that besides flipping the adapter as you suggest.

I've had no issues of concern with contact between the truck cab and trailer or the bed rails and the king pin. I would experiment with flipping the adapter AND feel free to contact Andersen with questions. Those guys are so nice and helpful!

[gkainz]

Scott and Poppy - How does your kingpin line up on the axle using the Andersen? Like I noted, mine looks to be about 6" behind the axle, using a non-calibrated Mk1 Mod O eyeball. If I reverse the adapter block, I think it will be ahead of the axle and maybe exactly over the g/n ball. But, not sure if I have the clearance between truck and 5er for that ... I may test that in the driveway to see.

[minnow]

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.

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

That's good to hear. The new aluminum hitch looks fantastic. I just returned from my first long tow (2,500 miles) with my new steel Andersen and it performed flawlessly. So much nicer than my old Husky. Mine is rail mounted so only about 40 lbs. I can't imagine any scenario where I would use a standard 5th wheel hitch again.

[Scott_85]

Awesome, I wish they had the Aluminum one when I got mine, but I'll still very happy with the 70lb hitch.

[sdetweil]

Very cool!.. thanks.. 1st good pics I've seen .