Anderson Hitch

[FBGTexas]

Looks good. Anyone use one of these?

[BarneyS]

The Hensley does not depend on tongue weight at all to do it's job. The tongue of the trailer is fixed on the top part of the hitch and does not move left or right. The top part of the hitch is in a fixed position on the tongue and does not move left or right either.

The bottom part of the hitch articulates and does all the moving. Because of the linkage, it can only move left or right when the truck initiates the move. Any attempted movement of the trailer (through that upper part of the hitch) is projected forward near or in front of the trucks axles which means the there is very little or no effect on the truck - just like a 5th wheel. This happens because the trailer is in a fixed position on the hitch upper unit and all attempted movement is transmitted to the truck through the linkage and lower unit.

So Yes, the Hensley will work with 5% or perhaps even less tongue weight however, even though it will not allow the trailer to sway, I would not ever try to tow a trailer with that little amount.
Barney

[SlowBro]

handye9 wrote:
If you are that close on ratings, have you factored in any weight for your holding tanks?

Long story short, I'm good on that.

[handye9]

cdevidal wrote:
Yeah that makes sense. Had you seen anything in the materials or talked to anyone about a minimum weight percentage?

Only minimum tongue weight, I have heard of, is 10%. I know that travel trailers with less than 10% tongue weight, have a tendency to sway. I know that the Andersen hitch relies on tongue weight to control the sway. I would think, reducing your tongue weight, for the sole purpose of meeting a payload number, would be dangerous.

You say Hensley will work at 5% tongue weight. I myself, woud not be comfortable with that.

If you are that close on ratings, have you factored in any weight for your holding tanks? Can't do that without knowing tank size and location in the trailer, so, I would say you have not.

Depending on tank locations, in relation to trailer axles, your holding tanks could have either a positive or negative affect on your tongue weight. If you are at 5% tongue weight, with empty tanks, what happens if your tanks take take you down to zero?

My tongue weight can fluctuate as much as 200 lbs. Depends on how much stuff is in my tanks, and which tanks are holding it. I have camped at places that did not have a dump site or fresh water available. There will be times when you may have to travel with something in your tanks.

[SlowBro]

handye9 wrote:

cdevidal wrote:

Ron Gratz wrote:

cdevidal wrote:
I called Andersen, they claim there is no minimum tongue weight percentage. That's good, because the less tongue weight on our setup, the better.

I'm guessing (hoping) that Andersen did not understand your question.

There most certainly is a minimum tongue weight percentage as regards TV/TT yaw stability.
For most US-built TT's, I would recommend staying above 10% -- even if you do have a Hensley Arrow or a PP.

Ron

That's what I thought, which is why I repeated my question at least twice and stated it clearly.

But Hensley also claims zero sway even as low as 5%. If the problem with going too low is sway, and the hitch has anti-sway, doesn't it become a moot point?

On an Andersen WD hitch, the ball shaft fits into a tapered cylinder. The outer surface of the shaft and the inside of that cylinder are covered with automotive brake material. It's the friction between the shaft and cylinder (brake material) that controls sway. Tongue weight causes that friction. More tongue weight means, stronger sway control. Less tongue, means weaker sway control. If tongue weight percentage got down to zero, there would be no sway control.

I have an Andersen WD hitch. With no weight on the ball, I can turn it (simulating sway) by hand.

It doesn't make sense that someone from Andersen would say something like "no minimum tongue weight percentage".

Yeah that makes sense. Had you seen anything in the materials or talked to anyone about a minimum weight percentage?

[handye9]

cdevidal wrote:

Ron Gratz wrote:

cdevidal wrote:
I called Andersen, they claim there is no minimum tongue weight percentage. That's good, because the less tongue weight on our setup, the better.

I'm guessing (hoping) that Andersen did not understand your question.

There most certainly is a minimum tongue weight percentage as regards TV/TT yaw stability.
For most US-built TT's, I would recommend staying above 10% -- even if you do have a Hensley Arrow or a PP.

Ron

That's what I thought, which is why I repeated my question at least twice and stated it clearly.

But Hensley also claims zero sway even as low as 5%. If the problem with going too low is sway, and the hitch has anti-sway, doesn't it become a moot point?

On an Andersen WD hitch, the ball shaft fits into a tapered cylinder. The outer surface of the shaft and the inside of that cylinder are covered with automotive brake material. It's the friction between the shaft and cylinder (brake material) that controls sway. Tongue weight causes that friction. More tongue weight means, stronger sway control. Less tongue, means weaker sway control. If tongue weight percentage got down to zero, there would be no sway control.

I have an Andersen WD hitch. With no weight on the ball, I can turn it (simulating sway) by hand.

It doesn't make sense that someone from Andersen would say something like "no minimum tongue weight percentage".

[SlowBro]

Ron Gratz wrote:

cdevidal wrote:
I called Andersen, they claim there is no minimum tongue weight percentage. That's good, because the less tongue weight on our setup, the better.

I'm guessing (hoping) that Andersen did not understand your question.

There most certainly is a minimum tongue weight percentage as regards TV/TT yaw stability.
For most US-built TT's, I would recommend staying above 10% -- even if you do have a Hensley Arrow or a PP.

Ron

That's what I thought, which is why I repeated my question at least twice and stated it clearly.

But Hensley also claims zero sway even as low as 5%. If the problem with going too low is sway, and the hitch has anti-sway, doesn't it become a moot point?

[Ron_Gratz]

cdevidal wrote:
I called Andersen, they claim there is no minimum tongue weight percentage. That's good, because the less tongue weight on our setup, the better.

I'm guessing (hoping) that Andersen did not understand your question.

There most certainly is a minimum tongue weight percentage as regards TV/TT yaw stability.
For most US-built TT's, I would recommend staying above 10% -- even if you do have a Hensley Arrow or a PP.

Ron

[SlowBro]

I called Andersen, they claim there is no minimum tongue weight percentage. That's good, because the less tongue weight on our setup, the better.

[SlowBro]

Anyone know the minimum tongue weight percentage? Hensley guarantees theirs won't sway even down to 5%, what about Andersen?

[fireman41]

Love mine. Quite no grease lite weight. What's not to like.

I also don't do 100% back to the front axle but ford says no need to and my f250 handled just fine.

[kayakcrazy]

Love my Andersen WD Hitch! Last summer in North Dakota we met an 18 wheeler convoy of about 15 trucks. Trailer did not sway an inch.

[Hornnumb2]

I just used mine for the first time, for me it was more for the sway factor than anything. My tongue weight is only 400. I have just been running a standard hitch with one sway control bar and when 18 wheelers went by you needed to hold on. Now it seems they have no effect on the trailer with this hitch. It is pretty expensive for a sway control but did make towing more enjoyable.

[handye9]

proxim2020 wrote:
There's a problem with the hitch restoring enough weight back to the front axle with heavier tongue weights (those who are nearing 1,000 lbs). When a full restoration of weight to the front axle isn't so crucial, as with the 3/4 - 1 ton crowd, users seem to be pretty happy. I like the idea and design of the hitch. If they fixed the issue with the heavier tongue weights then I'd buy one.

I'm using an Andersen hitch with over 900 lbs tongue weight. Going on six years, so far it has worked fine. The weakness on front axle weight restoration, is not a problem with my truck. It's true, the hitch does not restore 100%, but, according to Ford, my truck does not require 100% restoration. There may be other manufacturers (besides Ford), who don't require 100% restoration. Check the owners manual for your truck.

I think this has also been discussed in other threads. Do a search for Andersen hitch.

[Community Alumni]

If you're talking about the Andersen No Sway WHD hitch, then there's been quite a few topics about it recently. Do a search and you'll find lots of reviews. Most have been happy with the setup and performance of the hitch. There's a problem with the hitch restoring enough weight back to the front axle with heavier tongue weights (those who are nearing 1,000 lbs). When a full restoration of weight to the front axle isn't so crucial, as with the 3/4 - 1 ton crowd, users seem to be pretty happy. I like the idea and design of the hitch. If they fixed the issue with the heavier tongue weights then I'd buy one.

[rexlion]

I used the Andersen for a season with my KZ, hitch weight under 400 lb, and it worked fine. When I sold the KZ the new owner wanted the Andersen too.