Andersen Ultimate not working for me

[wvcampers]

I went from a Reese 16K slider to the Andersen ultimate. My trailer was very stable with the Reese, with the Andersen the trailer is constantly moveing around. It is bad enough that can feel it and it is uncomfortable towing. I have a short bed F350 SRW CC 6.7 diesel. The camper is a 34' Cardinal. I have the Andersen in the rear position because the Cardinal has a flat nose and I need the clearance to get into my driveway. I put the Reese back in the truck and all is well. Any ideas why the trailer movement with the Andersen?

[cummins2014]

smkettner wrote:

Me Again wrote:
From TDR Site. This guy is switching to an auto slider.

"However, the truck place I bought it from Guaranteed I would not hit the cab..."

Trust but verify.

Long on trust, short on verify.

Truth is also easily discovered with a tape measure.

How about just watching, you don't have to measure anything.

[time2roll]

Me Again wrote:
From TDR Site. This guy is switching to an auto slider.

"However, the truck place I bought it from Guaranteed I would not hit the cab..."

Trust but verify.

Long on trust, short on verify.

Truth is also easily discovered with a tape measure.

[cummins2014]

Me Again wrote:
From TDR Site. This guy is switching to an auto slider.




"However, the truck place I bought it from Guaranteed I would not hit the cab..."

Great candidate for an automatic slider, and he took their word on the guarantee . He is also a great candidate for a blue ox bedsaver, dropping the fifth wheel will probably be next.

[Me_Again]

From TDR Site. This guy is switching to an auto slider.




"However, the truck place I bought it from Guaranteed I would not hit the cab..."

[Searching_Ut]

I've only owned one gooseneck and it was quite a few years ago. It was an enclosed car hauler for my off road trucks. It had both chains and a breakaway switch installed from the factory. Regarding horse trailers, the only one I've looked at close was a combo horse/camp trailer that one of the guys brought on a hunting trip. It had a breakaway switch but no safety chains.

[time2roll]

Does a regular gooseneck (ie horse trailer or flatbed) use a breakaway braking system?

[Searching_Ut]

As mentioned, both gooseneck and bumper pull trailers have breakaway systems when over the weight limits where they are required, and they still have safety chain requirements. Bumper pulls in virtually every state as far as I know require chains and goosenecks in a great deal of them. I personally use chains with my Andersen hitch all the time being as how they're so quick and easy to hook. Personally, I can't see a good reason not to give myself the added safety benefit should my tired old brain result in my somehow forgetting to lock the pin for the ball. With a regular 5er hitch if you fail to lock it you'll know right away prior to getting very far. With a ball hitch who knows if and when it might come undone.

[N-Trouble]

dfb wrote:
I called Andersen.. Not needed . The 5ver has a breakaway cable... Just like a regular hitch...

I dont get that comment. Did you talk to their secretary? I like Andersens stuff but email responses I have recieved from them at times is not the greatest. Remember bumper pulls also have breakaway cables but still require safety chains. Break away cable has nothing to do with whether or not chains are needed. State laws proceed anything Andersen is feeding you.

[dfb]

I called Andersen.. Not needed . The 5ver has a breakaway cable... Just like a regular hitch...

[RustyJC]

IdaD wrote:

smkettner wrote:
How does Andersen avoid using safety chains? Still looks like a goose neck and ball hitch.

Depends entirely on the state and the standards vary a lot. For example, Idaho doesn't require safety chains on anything. Other states require them on trailers but not fifth wheels. Others require them on everything.

Can you cite a specific state or states that require safety chains when a kingpin-type hitch is used? The reason I ask is that I have never seen safety chains used with a 5th wheel hitch. If there is a requirement to do so in some states, that would be good to know.

Rusty

[IdaD]

smkettner wrote:
How does Andersen avoid using safety chains? Still looks like a goose neck and ball hitch.

Depends entirely on the state and the standards vary a lot. For example, Idaho doesn't require safety chains on anything. Other states require them on trailers but not fifth wheels. Others require them on everything. I'm installing a set of them because I think they're a good idea, even if not necessarily required where I live.

[laknox]

smkettner wrote:
How does Andersen avoid using safety chains? Still looks like a goose neck and ball hitch.

They don't. Here in AZ, all ball and pintle hitches =must= have chains. Other states vary. There have been several pics posted of Andersens with chains.

Lyle

[Searching_Ut]

smkettner wrote:
How does Andersen avoid using safety chains? Still looks like a goose neck and ball hitch.

It appears to be one of those "Depends" things based on which state you're in. I just take the easy road and use the chains so I don't have to make sure of what the rule is. they only take a few extra seconds to hook up. If a regular 5th wheel hitch isn't latched right the rig will almost certainly disconnect right as you're pulling out. With the ball if you fail to pin it and somehow bounce that socket off the ball it will almost certainly be while you're cruising down the road. With the gooseneck ball mount Andersen you'll most likely have the bed sockets for the chain mounts installed in your truck as well so it seems a no brainer to me to use the chains. My Ram has the 5th wheel prep which is for both rail and gooseneck ball mounts so no issue.

[cummins2014]

smkettner wrote:
How does Andersen avoid using safety chains? Still looks like a goose neck and ball hitch.

I don't think you can, at least in some states.