Forum Discussion

ssthrd's avatar
ssthrd
Explorer
Jan 15, 2021

Anderson 3220 setup

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.
Tow Vehicles
  • Flashman's avatar
    Flashman
    Explorer II
    Jan 15, 2021
    I have a 2017 RAM 3500 short bed SRW with the Andersen hitch.

    I use the middle hole on the ball.

    My adapter is back - meaning the 5th wheel trailer is closer to the cab than the tail gate. I was thinking on reversing it but have not done so yet. Have not measured the clearance to the cab.

    Bed rail clearance is 9 inches.
  • j3ff9ack's avatar
    j3ff9ack
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2021
    Flashman wrote:
    I have a 2017 RAM 3500 short bed SRW with the Andersen hitch.

    I use the middle hole on the ball.

    My adapter is back - meaning the 5th wheel trailer is closer to the cab than the tail gate. I was thinking on reversing it but have not done so yet. Have not measured the clearance to the cab.

    Bed rail clearance is 9 inches.


    My setup is the same as Flashman, and when I tried to reverse the adapter, the back of my pin box hit the tailgate when turning, so the adapter stays back. I have not had any issues with clearance.
  • ssthrd's avatar
    ssthrd
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2021
    Thanks guys. I was most concerned about bedrail clearance, but 9" sounds like more than enough.

    Any issues with movement of the frame on the bed using 60 ft-lbs?
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jan 15, 2021
    ssthrd wrote:
    Thanks guys. I was most concerned about bedrail clearance, but 9" sounds like more than enough.

    Any issues with movement of the frame on the bed using 60 ft-lbs?


    With heavier RV's the Andersen Ultimate has caused bed deflection. Spacers in the valley of the ribs should stop that.
  • Flashman's avatar
    Flashman
    Explorer II
    Jan 15, 2021
    ssthrd wrote:
    Thanks guys. I was most concerned about bedrail clearance, but 9" sounds like more than enough.

    Any issues with movement of the frame on the bed using 60 ft-lbs?


    No movement - I use a full length rubber bed mat and I think that helps.
  • cummins2014's avatar
    cummins2014
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2021
    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.
  • ssthrd's avatar
    ssthrd
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2021
    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.
  • cummins2014's avatar
    cummins2014
    Explorer
    Jan 27, 2021
    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.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 27, 2021
    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

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