New Andersen WD hitch

[JBarca]

A fellow camper bud showed me this. It's new and different.

Anyone using one?

Andersen WD hitches

A U-tube video with the factory guy explaining it. You have to get past MR Truck doing his intro. Interesting 5th wheel hitch too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvM7mCnqmwo&feature=related

It looks like this



I'll hold my comments for a short while to not cloud your thoughts. Ideally we can find someone here using one to quiz them on it.

John

[PHS79]

I am a member a few different RV forums, so I have read more than my fair share of threads about the Andersen hitch. From what I have read it seems like the Andersen hitch does a fair-good job of WD on trailers with a tongue weight of 800lbs or less, and that when on bigger TT's with weights of 1000lbs or more the Andersen hitch doesn't transfer enough weight back to the front of the TV.

I run the Andersen hitch and really like it, but my TT is fairly lite at only 6500lbs and a tongue weight nearing 700lbs right now. And with 1/4" compression of the bushings I am able to get the front end back to within 1/8 inch of its empty height and the rear to about 1/4" lower than empty:
(all measurements taken at wheel well openings)
truck empty-- front 40 1/8", rear 40 1/4"
camper hooked no WD-- front 40 3/8", rear 39 1/4"
camper hooked with WD front 40 1/4", rear 40"

For me this hitch works and I like it. My cousin was looking at buying a hitch for his 32' Kodiak TT. He liked the looks and ease of the Andersen, but I actually talked him out of it and into the Equal-I-zer since he a tongue weight just over 1000lbs, and told him that he probably wouldn't be as happy with the Andersen as I am.

Also I have been keeping my eye on craigslist and ebay for a Equal-I-zer, so I could try that and actually see for myself if there is a big difference being that this Andersen is my first WD hitch.

[BenK]

Oh, best to show some more receiver labels indicating how they have ratings that
are not all the same...

My Suburban's



My Odyssey and note it does not 'recommend' a WD Hitch system (hope you folks
understand when an OEM 'recommends' something and you don't follow it...they
can deny warranty and/or liability coverage...

[BenK]

PS...no need for me to actually have one, used one, etc

My forensic's is good in my professional circles. As the "Law's of physic's"
are the same


Do get 'fine tuning' often, John and Ron are the regular's.... 🙂 and learn
from them


Just found Ron's link to the Airstream thread on this. Will read it later and
respond here, as the bushing pictures and chain bruises telling on the fastidiousness
of design I mentioned earlier

Still think it is elegant design, but lost in the details is their design

[BenK]

Slowmover wrote:
snip....

There aren't any "extremists". Vehicle manufacturers require weight distribution. Anti-sway is optional. This is not in dispute.

Mischaracterizing those involved, or the issue in play, is unworthy of what is at stake.

A hitch that provides only good anti-sway is not a recommendation of this hitch versus competitors if it cannot meet the basic requirement of a WD hitch.

As time goes on we may have a picture of what vehicle type and what trailer TW may be a good match for it IF other concerns -- all legitimate -- about how well this hitch is secured, etc, can be answered. It will be a short list, that seems certain (short of a re-design).

"Can't meet the basic requirement" is an enormous problem. All of us like the idea of a lightweight, low-effort hitch, quiet hitch with decent anti-sway. But this is one that cannot, at present, be called a WD hitch (except for a sub-set of TV & TT not yet defined). It's virtues are completely outweighed by that deficiency.

.

Agree and add that towing specifications/ratings/etc is a system comprised
of many sub-systems and components

Which all have their 'own' ratings

Since a whole system, they all must play in concert and that the old
adage of: "a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link" is correct

The topic you guys are talking about has the receiver label the 'weak
link' over the TV's ratings, or it could be rated for way more than the
TV is rated for

Meaning things are too often taken out of context and referenced as
an absolute...

Take this image of buddies 2007 GMC 2500HD's OEM receiver. It does
have ratings/limits on dead weight and transitions to requiring a
WD Hitch system to go any heavier than the dead weight rating




So if a TV manual says no WD needed, then the receiver rating becomes
the limiting component

[TomG2]

I totally agree. Buyer beware. Not a bad rule to follow in all cases. The limitations of the Andersen hitch are mentioned quite often on here.

I have a 2500 HD, had a 1500. Neither "Requires" weight distributing hitch with my trailer. My statement was that not all manufacturers require WD hitches all the time. I heard somewhere that GM (combined) is the first or second largest manufacturer of pickups. When they say WD is not required for a 7,000 pound trailer with their pickups, I listen. Others may choose not to.

[Ron_Gratz]

"Vehicle manufacturers require weight distribution."

How much does GM "Require" for their 1500 and 2500 HD models?

One also could ask how much does GM require for their 1500- and 2500-series SUVs?

According to the 2013 Owners Manuals, the answer is:
"

When using a weight-distributing hitch, the spring bars should be adjusted so the distance {body to ground at front wheel} is the same after coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch.

"
That corresponds to 100% Front Axle Load Restoration.

The Owners Manuals also specify a maximum allowable tongue weight of 1000#.
I've not seen any evidence indicating that the Andersen WDH can achieve 100% FALR with a tongue weight of 1000#, in spite of the fact that it has a tongue weight rating of 1400#.

IMO, anyone who is contemplating purchase of the Andersen WDH should be well aware of its weight distribution limitations.

Ron

[TomG2]

"Vehicle manufacturers require weight distribution."

How much does GM "Require" for their 1500 and 2500 HD models? You are making a blanket statement without the facts to back it up. Check out the latest Owner's manuals for the correct information, not just what you think. Hint: It is way less than you think, often zero.

I do not care if Andersen sells another hitch. I commend them for trying. Many owners post their positive experiences. Some post their failures. Glad to read about both.

The Andersen hitch does provide "some" weight distribution, or else why do my scale readings indicate that it does? It has been well documented and restated many times, it is not often enough for some people.

[Slowmover]

TomG2 wrote:
As in most forums, if you throw out the extremists on either side of an issue, you might find some truth in between. I understand the limitations of the Andersen hitch and it is a very good product for me. I hope we hear from some new folks. We did in dennysemn's case.

There aren't any "extremists". Vehicle manufacturers require weight distribution. Anti-sway is optional. This is not in dispute.

Mischaracterizing those involved, or the issue in play, is unworthy of what is at stake.

A hitch that provides only good anti-sway is not a recommendation of this hitch versus competitors if it cannot meet the basic requirement of a WD hitch.

As time goes on we may have a picture of what vehicle type and what trailer TW may be a good match for it IF other concerns -- all legitimate -- about how well this hitch is secured, etc, can be answered. It will be a short list, that seems certain (short of a re-design).

"Can't meet the basic requirement" is an enormous problem. All of us like the idea of a lightweight, low-effort hitch, quiet hitch with decent anti-sway. But this is one that cannot, at present, be called a WD hitch (except for a sub-set of TV & TT not yet defined). It's virtues are completely outweighed by that deficiency.

.

[CHD_Dad]

My straight facts:
800# tongue weight
Max compression of 1/2" on bushings
Hitch can only return 50% of weight lost back to front axle
Neither axle is close to being overweight

Hitch wins: Lightweight, grease free, quiet, ride, sway control
Hitch fails: weight distribution on my truck

Andersen has admitted as such and offered me a refund of wholesale value. Ultimately the one fail outweighs the wins as that is the main reason for me purchasing the hitch. I really wanted to like and keep it, I spent some time on the phone with their VP who was very friendly and upfront about their goals and design. For me it falls short.

[mikedboyd]

dennysemn wrote:

'Just wondering if I'm missing something here. Provided your hitch is already set up for your situation, and you know how many threads on the bolts should show, why not do this instead: After coupling, raise the tongue to allow easy and fast attachment of the WD chains. This method does not require the use of any long-handled ratchet, and the adjustments are already made.

I used to do the same with my old equalizer hitch on my older TT. Instead of using the snap tool to bring the torsion bars into the L brackets, I would raise the tongue a bit and just slide them in.

The Andersen Hitch has been on my trailer for about a year now and I love it.

I agree that this would be the ideal way to get the hitch to work, but in my case it didn't matter how high I raised the tongue, it did not un-tension the chains enough to leave the bolts/nuts alone. Maybe there was too much tongue weight for the Anderson hitch, I don't know. Since my dealer was willing to trade me into the Equalizer 4-point for $100, I did that. Through 1 camping trip (2 hours each way), I think the trailer feels more secure and balanced with the Equalizer.

[TomG2]

As in most forums, if you throw out the extremists on either side of an issue, you might find some truth in between. I understand the limitations of the Andersen hitch and it is a very good product for me. I hope we hear from some new folks. We did in dennysemn's case.

[JBarca]

Fellow Campers,

Everyone's opinion is welcome on how this hitch is to them. But please, leave your comments about how others feel about this hitch out of your posting.

Let's give Barney a break, OK? If not, Barney will lock my thread because of the comments about individuals, not about the technical merit of the subject.

New info is still coming in and the learning is interesting. Both the pro's and the con's.

Thanks for being a fellow camper.

John

[Ron_Gratz]

---A few people that don't have them seem to have a lot of negatives to say about their value. As pointed out repeatedly, they are not the best at unloading a large amount of weight from an overloaded rear axle.---

Actually, most of the negative comments about the Andersen WDH now are coming from Andersen users, or from former Andersen users.

And, the problems being reported by users and former users are not limited just to the inability of the hitch to transfer an amount of load which is commensurate with its rated tongue weight capacity.

Ron

[jujububbajr]

TomG2 wrote:

dennysemn wrote:
........................snip....................
I used to do the same with my old equalizer hitch on my older TT. Instead of using the snap tool to bring the torsion bars into the L brackets, I would raise the tongue a bit and just slide them in.

The Andersen Hitch has been on my trailer for about a year now and I love it.

Yours is a pretty typical experience. Most "users" appreciate the convenience, light weight, cleanliness, quiet, and sway resistance of the Andersen hitch. A few people that don't have them seem to have a lot of negatives to say about their value. As pointed out repeatedly, they are not the best at unloading a large amount of weight from an overloaded rear axle. Something with big old spring steel bars is much better suited for that.

My axle was NOT overloaded and the the Andersen was no good for me. I was a user, not a "user", and there was no way I could have raised the tongue enough to hook up without loosening the nuts. I just finished a 600 mile round trip with an equalizer and it was a much more relaxing drive withe the Equalizer. I have a 1200lb tongue weight and the Andersen couldn't handle it.

[TomG2]

dennysemn wrote:
........................snip....................
I used to do the same with my old equalizer hitch on my older TT. Instead of using the snap tool to bring the torsion bars into the L brackets, I would raise the tongue a bit and just slide them in.

The Andersen Hitch has been on my trailer for about a year now and I love it.

Yours is a pretty typical experience. Most "users" appreciate the convenience, light weight, cleanliness, quiet, and sway resistance of the Andersen hitch. A few people that don't have them seem to have a lot of negatives to say about their value. As pointed out repeatedly, they are not the best at unloading a large amount of weight from an overloaded rear axle. Something with big old spring steel bars is much better suited for that.