We will eventually be getting into the 5th wheel world, and would really like to use the Andersen (non-gooseneck) Ultimate hitch. Mainly because at 64 years old with a bad back, I don't want to be wrestling a 250 pound hitch in and out of my 07 Ram 2500 4x4 short bed.I realize clearance is dependent on which particular fiver you have, but would like some real world responses from those that have one. I would just like to hear from those that actually have one in their short bed truck, Dodge if possible. Thanks in advance.

I have a GMC 6.5 short bed with a Andersen hitch and it is great. I used to have a slider and it was a waste of money. This is the best hitch, easy to hookup and take out. I have 90 degree turning radius.

Nevadastars wrote:We will eventually be getting into the 5th wheel world, and would really like to use the Andersen (non-gooseneck) Ultimate hitch. Mainly because at 64 years old with a bad back, I don't want to be wrestling a 250 pound hitch in and out of my 07 Ram 2500 4x4 short bed.I realize clearance is dependent on which particular fiver you have, but would like some real world responses from those that have one. I would just like to hear from those that actually have one in their short bed truck, Dodge if possible. Thanks in advance.I think you are going to get to hear plenty about the Andersen. I too am a fan of the Andersen. I am holding out to see the new ones coming in Feb that fit the OEM puck systems on the newer trucks.As you said the clearance will be dependent on the fiver. Lots of fifth wheels being towed with a short bed ,and the Andersen .

I am using a rail mount Andersen in my short bed Ram and it works great. Older fiver with a flat front too. I can't turn 90 degrees backing but that's pretty worthless - it turns plenty tight without hitting and I can turn at full lock going forward with no issues. Go for it - I think it's the best rail mount hitch setup available when you consider all the factors.

Right on guys, thanks for the quick replies! I had read on etrailer.com where a guy asked if it would work on his 07 Ram like mine, and they basically answered with trying to sell him an $1100 slider hitch.

I'll provide a slightly different perspective. I have a Pullrite Superglide in my Dodge short bed. It's arguably the heaviest hitch made and I put it in and take it out by myself using an inexpensive electric cable hoist (from Harbor Freight) mounted to my garage rafters.

Anyone use the Andersen Ultimate with a short bed?

garyp4951
Explorer III
Jan 07, 2017
Me Again wrote:
Some reading.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/254427-Forget-what-I-said-about-Andersen-hitch?highlight=andersen

There is no hitch that would keep the truck from hitting at this angle of over 90 degrees.
Nevadastars
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
ralphnjoann wrote:
Nevadastars wrote:
csamayfield55 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Some reading.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/254427-Forget-what-I-said-about-Andersen-hitch?highlight=andersen

I could hit the cab of my truck with my trailer too. It is a long bed, flatbed with a Open Range Light (Extremely long nose) and if I tried hard enough I could bust it out!! You have to have at least a little bit of sense to back these trailers in

Chris

My thoughts exactly. Having retired from doing collision work for over 40 years, I worked on plenty of trucks where guys hit their cabs with the fiver. Also worked on several where they dropped it on the bed rails. In nearly every case, the owners admitted they screwed up.

A company called Blue Ox makes a device called a Bed Saver for a number of conventional hitch brands. It catches the kingpin, should the hitch not be completely locked, and keeps the fifth wheel from landing on your truck's side rails. The mere existence of this product leads me to believe that dropping your trailer is as much, if not more, of a problem as hitting your cab. The Andersen design eliminates any need for a Bed Saver.

Now that you mention it, I probably did more bed repairs than cab hits. Boy, they really do damage, sometimes needing both bedsides if not a LOT of repair work.
ralphnjoann
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
Nevadastars wrote:
csamayfield55 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Some reading.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/254427-Forget-what-I-said-about-Andersen-hitch?highlight=andersen

I could hit the cab of my truck with my trailer too. It is a long bed, flatbed with a Open Range Light (Extremely long nose) and if I tried hard enough I could bust it out!! You have to have at least a little bit of sense to back these trailers in

Chris

My thoughts exactly. Having retired from doing collision work for over 40 years, I worked on plenty of trucks where guys hit their cabs with the fiver. Also worked on several where they dropped it on the bed rails. In nearly every case, the owners admitted they screwed up.

A company called Blue Ox makes a device called a Bed Saver for a number of conventional hitch brands. It catches the kingpin, should the hitch not be completely locked, and keeps the fifth wheel from landing on your truck's side rails. The mere existence of this product leads me to believe that dropping your trailer is as much, if not more, of a problem as hitting your cab. The Andersen design eliminates any need for a Bed Saver.
Nevadastars
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
Thanks for all the replies people. Looks like I will be going with the Andersen rail hitch. We do not have a fiver yet, but do not plan on going much over 10-11k. Been looking at "light" models since they seem to be designed for short bed trucks.
j3ff9ack
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
I have the Andersen Ultimate that uses the gooseneck ball on my 2014 RAM short bed and I like it so far. My 5th is not very heavy so I don't have any concerns about bed flexing, but if I had a larger/heavier trailer, I'd probably look at the B&W RVK 3600 and rig a hoist in the garage to aid in removing/installing the hitch.

I don't have any clearance issues but I try not to jack knife when backing up to avoid truck cab damage.
Wild_Card
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
SkiSmuggs wrote:
I have the rail mount Andersen on the Reese puck adapter in my short (6'9") bed F350. I install it with the ball to the rear and the adapter has the hole behind the pin as I have an extended pin box. I have carefully done 90 degrees while turning around in a parking lot. Prior to that, I had a Reese 16K hitch and could only get about 75 degrees before either hitting the bed sides or cab.
BTW, the puck adapter is heavier than the Andersen. :)

That's how they set mine up even though I have a long bed. Wander if it being behind the axel a little if it unloads the steering axel? Might have to do some testing.
SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
I have the rail mount Andersen on the Reese puck adapter in my short (6'9") bed F350. I install it with the ball to the rear and the adapter has the hole behind the pin as I have an extended pin box. I have carefully done 90 degrees while turning around in a parking lot. Prior to that, I had a Reese 16K hitch and could only get about 75 degrees before either hitting the bed sides or cab.
BTW, the puck adapter is heavier than the Andersen. :)
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Jan 07, 2017
Wait---I love your "real" name!!
Mine is Megan.
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Jan 07, 2017
2016 Ram CC 2500 short bed--Anderson hitch--2016 Cougar 279RKS. Works fine. I am adding the safety chains due to a couple states requiting them.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 07, 2017
minnow wrote:
cummins2014 wrote:

I think you are going to get to hear plenty about the Andersen. I too am a fan of the Andersen. I am holding out to see the new ones coming in Feb that fit the OEM puck systems on the newer trucks.

As you said the clearance will be dependent on the fiver. Lots of fifth wheels being towed with a short bed ,and the Andersen .

Someone reported that Andersen is not coming out with hitches that fit OEM pucks but rather a frame adaptor that fits the OEM pucks and one will still use the existing Andersen Rail mount version.

I don't know why Andersen thinks the market needs another frame adaptor when it seems to me that portion of the market is already well covered.

Yes, and the Demco 6099 is better than the Reese picture frame. Just saying. Chris

Maybe Andersen will make a light weight aluminum one?