Anderson Ultimate vs Pullrite Superlite

[richardcoxid]

I will probably be purchasing a new Short bed Extended Cab TV in the next few months and am also looking into new 5th wheel hitches.

At present the Anderson Ultimate and the PullRite SuperLite (Trailer Life, Nov, 2016 article) hitches have caught my interest. In monitoring this as well as other RV blogs, other than early production issues, almost all owners are happy with either one. One of the differences that I can see is that between the 2 brands they have reversed the positions of the "Ball" and "Funnel Shaped Cup". I.e. On the Andersen the ball is in the TV bed with the "cup" and latching device mounted upside down on the pin box and the PullRite is just the opposite, the "Ball" is mounted upside down on the pin box, and the "Cup" is mounted in the TV bed.

Is there any clear cut advantage to either way?

In my mind the Anderson overall looks to be something that was clobbered up by a engineer and a welder to prove a concept, while the SuperLite looks more "professional " and has a "finished" product look. Probably only Cosmetic!

When hitching up/disconnecting a extended cab short bed truck can you see over the back seat and see either hitch base in the rear view mirror? If not, what tricks have discovered to assist you in lining up the ball and cup?

One of my local dealers who sells both brands says that because of the 5 inch off set built into the base and the 4 inch off set in the coupler block in the Anderson that there isn't the the sharp turning interference problem between the cab/5W on short bed PU's as there is with the SuperLite. Anybody have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance for all your thoughts and comments!

Coxid

[Me_Again]

Justaguy wrote:
************Pullrite does NOT recommend the Superlite for anything other than the long bed.***************************************

And Andersen should also. Chris

[Don___Barb_Bogu]

We have ben using the pull rite sense 2005. No real problems, hooking up or unhooking. Have pulled U-Turns on a 2 lane road where another street T into it. Traveling North on 101 co-piolet directed wrong turn on hy-1 south needed north. One block going wrong way 4 lanes 2 each way 2 left turn lanes. Used both turn lanes and 2 lanes going the other way to turn around, smooth even turn no back and forth. Best hitch for the money...

[richardcoxid]

Justaguy

Thanks, I must have missed the disclaimer about long beds only. That is what the dealer was trying to describe to me with the Anderson and their 4" and the 5" offset (set back)

[Justaguy]

************Pullrite does NOT recommend the Superlite for anything other than the long bed.***************************************

[jerem0621]

I don't have any info on the Andersen or the Pullrite but there is a new third option when it comes to this piramid "lightweight" fifth wheel hitch.

That is the Demco Recon

Here is the product page on eTrailer.com

I like that it mounts to industry standard rails so no bed deflection. I also like that it uses a conventional hitch head. Demco hitch heads are single jaw and locking bar in design and are very secure. 21k lb rating and you can pick one up for about $500.00 ish. It breaks down into two pieces so it's still easy to manage.

If I were shopping for one of these light weight hitches I would really consider one of these Demco Recons.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[IBcarguy]

I use the Andersen Ultimate adapter and I am able to see the ball in my RV mirror so lining up the truck is super easy. One shot, no back and forth.
The only reason I went with the Andersen is because I already had a B&W hitch for a goose neck application installed in the truck ($1500 worth). Rather than install a 5th wheel hitch, I went with the Andersen so I could adapt it to my B&W goose neck ball. Glad I did though. The Anderson hitch only weighs 37 lbs and I can remove it from my bed by myself in about 5 minutes. Now I have my truck back. A 5th wheel hitch is about 300 lbs and is bolted onto the bed. If I ever needed to pull a goose neck, the Andersen is easily removed and ready to go. For me, the Andersen is the perfect set up.

[IdaD]

I love the way my rail mount Andersen works. I haven't used the Pullrite but I'm sure it works well also. I don't know what the Pullrite is rated for but it doesn't look any stouter to my non-engineer eye. It does move the pivot point farther away from the pinbox than the Andersen style does so it stands to reason that it could create a bit more leverage but not enough to matter, imo.

I'd take either over a standard fifth wheel hitch - the ball style connection just flat works better as far as I'm concerned.

[rhagfo]

IF I were going to one of these two hitches it would be the Pull Rite for sure, far stronger design.

[Cummins12V98]

IMHO both are QUALITY made products. The PullRite IMHO has a realistic rating of 20K and does NOT rely on the beds corrugated metal for fore and aft support. The PullRite has different mounting options that are solid and won't cause bed deflection. Also the ball locking mechanism on the Andersen is a T handle that has to be mounted to the bottom to the RV that makes it easy to reach BUT also easy for someone to pull while at rest area or? The PullRite would be harder to do so. Not sure it PR can be locked, so far I have not seen a way to lock Andersen.

I don't know exactly what the SAEJ2638 rating PR uses to obtain the 20K rating means. But I would say they are conservative like B&W are. Andersen just recently re designed their Ultimate because when towing heavy and braking hard the Aluminum tubes would bend.

I know, I know I am bashing! So lets just let everyone have their opinion with out calling names please.