Anderson 3220 setup

[ssthrd]

I think that chances are low that there are many out there with the same combo as what I have in my sig, but I'm looking for setup advice from those who do.

I think that 2017/2018 3500's are the same, so if you have one of these with 6.5' box, I'd love to hear from you.

I have not had the 5er on the truck yet, but will hook it up soon and I'd like to have the advantage of knowing where to start from someone who has done it. Lazy I guess, but it would be nice to be ahead of the setup game from the start.

What hole to use on the ball on top of the hitch?
Which direction - forward or back - for the adaptor on the pin?
Cab clearance with the adaptor forward?
Bed rail clearance using the center hole in the ball?

Thanks for your help.

[ssthrd]

Shal36 wrote:

ssthrd wrote:

Shal36 wrote:
I have not had bed deflection. I have a new set of the Andersen frame rail support brackets in the box. Never installed them but I have a lite fifth wheel.

Interesting. I saw an Anderson advertisement for the support brackets recommended for our specific trucks, but with the factory puck system, are they needed?

I don’t know for sure. I never noticed that they were specifically for the puck trucks or for all trucks. I do know the brackets are to be positioned to support the corners of the hitch at the rear of the truck. If you have extra bracing near the rear of the truck where the rear of the hitch would be, these brackets wouldn’t do much good. My truck did not have the factory fifth wheel.

Just Googled them. Looks like a frame bracket, so not for me with the puck system. Makes sense to me though that corner supports are not a bad idea.

[ssthrd]

My brain just went into gear. I think.

Maybe they drop into the factory puck holes. I'll have to do some digging.

My 5er only weighs 12,500 on the road, so maybe I don't need then anyway.

[Shal36]

ssthrd wrote:

Shal36 wrote:
I have not had bed deflection. I have a new set of the Andersen frame rail support brackets in the box. Never installed them but I have a lite fifth wheel.

Interesting. I saw an Anderson advertisement for the support brackets recommended for our specific trucks, but with the factory puck system, are they needed?

I don’t know for sure. I never noticed that they were specifically for the puck trucks or for all trucks. I do know the brackets are to be positioned to support the corners of the hitch at the rear of the truck. If you have extra bracing near the rear of the truck where the rear of the hitch would be, these brackets wouldn’t do much good. My truck did not have the factory fifth wheel.

[ssthrd]

Shal36 wrote:
I have not had bed deflection. I have a new set of the Andersen frame rail support brackets in the box. Never installed them but I have a lite fifth wheel.

Interesting. I saw an Anderson advertisement for the support brackets recommended for our specific trucks, but with the factory puck system, are they needed?

[Shal36]

I have a 2015 GMC 2500 and Jayco 29.5 BHDS. Front to back clearance is something you will just have to see. I was using the adapter one-way then when I changed my pin box I had to flip it around. Be very careful about the pin box the tailgate clearance. My replacement pin box was longer than my original, so I had to flip the adapter around to accommodate. I use the lowest setting for the ball. Again, just something that differs depending on trailer, pinbox and truck. I have both the factory plastic bed liner and a bed mat. Works great.

I have not had bed deflection. I have a new set of the Andersen frame rail support brackets in the box. Never installed them but I have a lite fifth wheel.

[Cummins12V98]

I’m betting your state requires them especially double towing. What is your home state?

[sayoung]

Bigfoot affair wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I am sure the bed mat helps. Where are your safety chains?

LOL, do you use chains with your fifth wheel hitch?

Here in Tx and several other states the ball means you use chains. I have been thru 2 Andersen's and now will not even ride in a truck pulling a 5er using one, but that's me..

[Bigfoot_affair]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I am sure the bed mat helps. Where are your safety chains?

LOL, do you use chains with your fifth wheel hitch?

[Cummins12V98]

I am sure the bed mat helps. Where are your safety chains?

[Bigfoot_affair]

Well, lots of replies from the Ram guy's

I have the same truck and hitch as you. Triple E Topaz 27' fifth wheel with a 18' Lund fisherman 1800 in tow.

I have my Andersen hitch connected to the factory prep and a GM bed mat. The ball is set to the middle hole and I have the receiver set fwd. 81/2" bed rail clearance and tons of room between the tail gate and box sides. Zero issues with cab clearance as well.

I haven't had any issues with bed deflection or the hitch moving in the truck, hitch torqued to 60ft/lbs. Perhaps the bed mat helps or that is just a Ram thing??

Had a Pullrite superglide in my last truck which work flawlessly, hated how heavy it was though. I really love the Andersen!

[ssthrd]

Thanks guys! Good advice.

[MFL]

cummins2014 wrote:

ssthrd wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
With my Ram short bed I run the adapter putting the fifth wheel closer to the cab, with my previous fifth wheel I ran it putting the fifth wheel further from the cab. The present fifth wheel has much more rounded corners on the front cap.

I think I'm gonna start this way to see if the rear of the pin box clears the bed rails. Looks like I will have 6"+ of vertical clearance.

If possible get to a parking lot ,and see how everything is. Turning sharp ,backing up etc. I did that when I first hooked up my previous fifth wheel with the slider . After that I knew where I was at when I went with the Andersen. When I got this new fifth wheel ,already knew , and could see that I could go with the adapter putting the fifth wheel closer to the cab.

Good idea, and a gravel parking lot will be less strain on FW suspension. Keep in mind, it is not necessary to back near 90 degrees. Also be careful going forward, in a U-turn fashion, as a FW will continue to track shorter.

Jerry

[cummins2014]

ssthrd wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:
With my Ram short bed I run the adapter putting the fifth wheel closer to the cab, with my previous fifth wheel I ran it putting the fifth wheel further from the cab. The present fifth wheel has much more rounded corners on the front cap.

I think I'm gonna start this way to see if the rear of the pin box clears the bed rails. Looks like I will have 6"+ of vertical clearance.

If possible get to a parking lot ,and see how everything is. Turning sharp ,backing up etc. I did that when I first hooked up my previous fifth wheel with the slider . After that I knew where I was at when I went with the Andersen. When I got this new fifth wheel ,already knew , and could see that I could go with the adapter putting the fifth wheel closer to the cab.

[ssthrd]

cummins2014 wrote:
With my Ram short bed I run the adapter putting the fifth wheel closer to the cab, with my previous fifth wheel I ran it putting the fifth wheel further from the cab. The present fifth wheel has much more rounded corners on the front cap.

I think I'm gonna start this way to see if the rear of the pin box clears the bed rails. Looks like I will have 6"+ of vertical clearance.