F150 with 24' TT and an Andersen WDH - Thoughts on Andersen?

[bedpan]

Hey Folks or more specifically Andersen users...

Just looking for some insight to anyone who is using an Andersen WDH. Have you had any major problems or concerns? It seems to me to have many benefits without (in my mind) many negatives. Any F150 towers with TT's around 7-8k lbs?

I have towed an 18' TT (3.5k lbs full) for about 35,000km over the last few years. It was sold awhile back and I just bought a Sundance 24BHS. Dry weight is around 5k lbs and full around 7.5k lbs. Truck is a 13 F150, Ecoboost, 4x4, Crew with maxtow. Numbers wise I am good although I will be pushing the max payload once we have everything on board.

Not looking for the debate of the best WDH. I know that the Normal crew of Equalizers, Reese, Husky etc make some rock solid products. Just want to discuss the Andersen and more specifically the Andersen with an F150 and around a 7500lbs TT.


Cheers all!

Mike

[goducks10]

BarneyS wrote:
Glad top hear that the hitch is working well for you.:) . I do have a suggestion though.

Rather than weld the brackets in place, it might be better to just spot weld a small bead in front of the brackets near the bottom and behind the brackets near the top to keep them in the correct position. Another option is to drill a small hole in those locations and put in a self tapping screw for the bracket to bear against.

The problem with welding the brackets on is that if/when you sell the trailer or trade it in, the brackets will have to stay on the trailer and the new owner may not want to use an Andersen. Also you may want to keep the hitch and put it on a new trailer.
Barney

x2 on the spot weld. BTDT

[BarneyS]

Glad top hear that the hitch is working well for you.:) . I do have a suggestion though.

Rather than weld the brackets in place, it might be better to just spot weld a small bead in front of the brackets near the bottom and behind the brackets near the top to keep them in the correct position. Another option is to drill a small hole in those locations and put in a self tapping screw for the bracket to bear against.

The problem with welding the brackets on is that if/when you sell the trailer or trade it in, the brackets will have to stay on the trailer and the new owner may not want to use an Andersen. Also you may want to keep the hitch and put it on a new trailer.
Barney

[mordecai81]

Thanks for the update. Glad it's working for you and that you have had good customer service.

[bedpan]

Thought I would update on my Andersen experience.. Not sure anyone is reading or cares but maybe it will help someone...

Just got back from a 5000km drive down to Fl. I had no problems with the Andersen towing from the dealership where I bought the TT to the house. When we left the driveway for our March Break trip the first gas station we pulled in we started getting some awful squawking from Andersen. As we were in hour 1 of a 24 hour drive I ignored it being confident it was in the sway control cone.

It got me to Fl, the squawking got louder by the time we got there. On the Monday I touched based with Andersen. They acknowledged that I have an older version of the hitch and had parts shipped to me by Wednesday. It swapped out the ball, cone and housing as well as the triangle plate. 20 minutes and it was swapped out. 2400Km later we had no problems at all getting home.

I cannot compare it to other WDH units. I can only tell you playing with the tension I had it dialed in to a point it towed very comfortably. I did adjust one of the brackets on the TT on the drive home as it appeared to have shifted forward a bit. What I learned though is I did not have them seated at the right angle.

All said I am happy so far with the hitch and the support from Andersen... I will likely get the brackets welded in place at some point just to insure they don't move again...

Cheer and thanks for the help folks

[bedpan]

Well just a general update and a "learning" experience I had today.. Read that as expensive mistake...

Picked up the trailer today. Dealer was good enough to let me use his air tools for tightening down the nuts. I brought all my tools with me and torqued to spec. All said I thought it installed quite well.

Pulled out of the lots hit a pothole as I was turning and heard a crunch (not the expensive part). I got a little ways up the road for somewhere to stop on the side of the road. As it turns out I had not installed the brackets right. They were to perpendicular and the bottom edge of the bracket slid forward when I hit the bumps.

No worry. I had all my tools and I set to re-adjusting thing. I spend about 40 minutes road side tweaking and adjusting. Got the brakets closer to the proper angle. Cleaned up my tools and set off........ (This is the expensive part).

I forgot to retract the Tongue Stand... It was bent over at a 45 and made a wonderful furrow in the dirt of the shoulder.

I tried to remove the jack but with the way it passes through the frame I could not do it. I had my reciprocating saw in my hand before I left but passed on it.. I should not need that right!

Well the dealer ended up coming over with a hacksaw and we made short work of the leg. Back to the dealer and some quick work in the parking lot and we had a new stand installed.

I must say I was very very happy with the dealer. They did not flinch to send someone over and did not flinch to give me hand swapping out the jack...

In the end it was a $200 (Canadian Pesos) mistake. I know better. My only excuse was I was cold, it was snowing and I got lazy.

So now we are home, the trailer is nestled away in the drive way. We will start loading it up over the coming weeks for our March Break trip south.

I still have some tinkering to do with the Andersen. It felt unusual to tow. I guess that is mainly I am use to a 18' trailer at 3500lbs with no load or sway control. It was a gustly drive home and everything was locked in nicely together. Just felt strange, but I think it is mostly just new.

Thanks folks. I will keep posting as I play and tweak this thing.

Mike

[Earl_E]

I have used the same Andersen hitch on two different trailers with at least 15,000 miles and have had nothing wear out. Still works like new and I tow a trailer of approximately 9000 #. I love it.

[bedpan]

I plan on bringing all the tools for the hitch with me to get the TT as well as our trip south over march break.. Really just a few sockets, wrenches and Torque bar. I bring the bar with me anyways for tire changes. The others are really only a couple pounds.

Forgot to Mention for the Canadians (US to as they ship there) Hitch Warehouse offers 5% off your first purchase with sign up to the mailing list. Between that and free shipping it was over $100 cheaper then Amazon.ca and PJ's.

[camp-n-family]

Remember to readjust the hitch once you get home and have the tt loaded up.

[bedpan]

Thanks again all..

I have continued to read and watch. I am confident in my decision. Also confident that I can change my mind if needed 🙂 I did order Hitch From Hitch Warehouse. Its coming from Red Deer Alberta. Should be here Monday. I pickup the Trailer Next Friday.. I will likely be installing the hitch in the dealer parking lot.

The dealer had not heard of the Andersen.. I am almost hoping the come out and check it out 🙂

Mike

[firestorm79]

I've had the Andersen for almost 5 years and started out with an 08 F-150 and 32' TT max weight 7k. It towed beautifully. Weight transfer was fine and anti-sway in heavy cross winds was phenomenal. I'm still using it with the same trailer but an F-350.

I'm on the 2nd friction cone after the 1st one wore out after approximately 30,000 kilometers of towing. No issues removing the worn cone but getting the ball to seat properly with the new one required a press. The ball has a c-clip to keep it from popping out.

[drsteve]

Consensus seems to be that they work great with <5000 lb TTs, mixed reviews from those with longer, heavier rigs.

[pfidahospud]

bedpan wrote:
I have not seen a design that is screwed down? Have you seen any videos or descriptions of it? The video from Andersen on changing the friction material shows it as having a retaining clip. Based on my reading this was added sometime after the initial design. I read a few posts with people having the ball pop out when de-loading the hitch to hookup.

pfidahospud wrote:
If I were to do it over again, I’d make sure it was the brand new design of the insert that is screwed down to the base. Apparently I’m not the only one who’s had the mushrooming issue.

For the life of me I can't find the picture now. Pretty sure I saw it in the Lance Owners forum. Basically it had a plate screwed down to the ball shank housing that prevented the insert from coming up, or at least that's how I remember it. Maybe call Andersen and ask? Sorry I don't know more specific details.

[camp-n-family]

bedpan wrote:
I just need to figure out the best source for me to order with in Canada. As per there website if you don't buy from an authorized dealer there is no support and I have no dealers in Ontario to try and order from..

Mike

Not sure if they are considered an authorized dealer but PJ Canada comes up as a seller. See here. Free shipping or they have a base in Leamington if you're in southwestern Ontario.

[bedpan]

I have not seen a design that is screwed down? Have you seen any videos or descriptions of it? The video from Andersen on changing the friction material shows it as having a retaining clip. Based on my reading this was added sometime after the initial design. I read a few posts with people having the ball pop out when de-loading the hitch to hookup.

pfidahospud wrote:
If I were to do it over again, I’d make sure it was the brand new design of the insert that is screwed down to the base. Apparently I’m not the only one who’s had the mushrooming issue.