which gooseneck ball?

[riltri]

Picked up our new F250 today. It does not have the puck system....nothing in the bed. I want to use the Anderson Ultimate hitch and need to have a gooseneck ball below the bed system installed. Would love to hear your suggestions....B&W, Reese, Curt, Draw-tite, other?

[ksss]

I use a flip over ball and a Curt attachment (steel) that attaches to the ball with rails and allows you to mount the 24K fifth wheel hitch on top of that (which for me is the Curt 24K hitch). The set up is a bit heavy to install in but I really like it. It may be made in China, I never looked, its HD and works well so that is enough for me.

The Andersen hitches are from here in Idaho Falls, quite an operation. I personally have never bought anything from them. I just don't trust aluminum for things like that, not the fifth wheel hitches or the adjustable bumper pull hitches. It is a personal decision for me, not saying they are not any good, I just don't have faith in trusting Al for hitch material.

[Thermoguy]

mkirsch wrote:

Thermoguy wrote:
Before you buy the Anderson, look at reviews on Amazon. I really wanted one until my wife looked up the reviews and said she wouldn't ride in the truck with me if I had that hitch...

You mean the one with 674 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars?

Or the one with 182 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

Or the one with 49 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

When things come that highly rated your one-star reviews are generally from people who had unrealistic expectations, misused/abused the product, or got the odd bad one.

Did you look at the pictures of the bent and broken hitches or just the stars and number of reviews? It only takes one brake and your trailer is in your back seat.

I wanted to like the hitch, it's very light and I am constantly switching from a gooseneck to 5th wheel trailer. Just not reliable enough for me to be comfortable to use one. There are other reasons, like no adjustments which I found to be very necessary to get my trailer to not chuck and bounce. The Anderson doesn't have the same amount of adjustments.

But back to reliability. Look how light it is built. You are relying on angles and force, if the force changes or the bars are damaged in any way, what's to say it won't give. Are you willing to take that chance? My family is too important for me to take that chance. Also, look at YouTube, lots of video's of failed Anderson Hitches. All for the same reasons, the ball brakes off, the supports bent, etc. Non are minor issues, all major. Just too unreliable for me - and they cost as much as a more reliable 5th wheel hitch.

[mkirsch]

Thermoguy wrote:
Before you buy the Anderson, look at reviews on Amazon. I really wanted one until my wife looked up the reviews and said she wouldn't ride in the truck with me if I had that hitch...

You mean the one with 674 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars?

Or the one with 182 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

Or the one with 49 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars?

When things come that highly rated your one-star reviews are generally from people who had unrealistic expectations, misused/abused the product, or got the odd bad one.

[abasler]

I have used the Anderson Ultimate Hitch with the turnover ball on two of my 5th wheels. The first was on 43-foot Cyclone toy hauler. When it was loaded with full water and my side x side it grossed out at 18,000 lbs. One time I forgot to plug the wire in. The first red light I hit, I had to stand on the truck brakes to stop. Luckily, I had a dully with big brakes and got it stopped. The hitch held up perfect. When I sold the trailer, the guy wanted the hitch. I bought a lighter 5th wheel that weight out at 15,500 loaded and installed another Ultimate Hitch. I love you can have your whole bed back in about 5 minutes with one person. I also have that aluminum hitch complete with the safety chains for sale, if anyone is interested. Half of what it cost new. I traded the truck in to a dealer and they did not want it. I have gone to motorhome now.

[dieseltruckdriv]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
I've never quite figured out why the rails are such a big deal to have in the bed. They're good tie down points and aren't that obtrusive. I guess if you're shoveling dirt or rocks out of the bed they could be a problem but most guys grow up at some point and buy a trailer for that kind of thing.

I used to have a RBW hitch with the hitch rails in the bed but in a front to back configuration. I hated them as I used my truck for Construction. A friend mentioned B&W and the rest is history!!! Thanks Rick.

I also had an RBW, and will never go back to having rails in a truck bed. I actually use my pickup bed as a pickup bed so I don't need a trailer I don't sleep in anymore.

[Cummins12V98]

IdaD wrote:
I've never quite figured out why the rails are such a big deal to have in the bed. They're good tie down points and aren't that obtrusive. I guess if you're shoveling dirt or rocks out of the bed they could be a problem but most guys grow up at some point and buy a trailer for that kind of thing.

I used to have a RBW hitch with the hitch rails in the bed but in a front to back configuration. I hated them as I used my truck for Construction. A friend mentioned B&W and the rest is history!!! Thanks Rick.

[IdaD]

I've never quite figured out why the rails are such a big deal to have in the bed. They're good tie down points and aren't that obtrusive. I guess if you're shoveling dirt or rocks out of the bed they could be a problem but most guys grow up at some point and buy a trailer for that kind of thing.

[riltri]

That explains it. I was not looking at the rail mounted hitches. Thanks

[MFL]

I just typed Andersen fifth wheel hitch for rails, and many places show availability, etrailer, camping world, and amazon, just a few, all with pictures of product.

I've had rails in 3 different trucks, never an issue for me. I just cut out a rubber bed mat to fit around them, making them hardly noticeable, when no hitch installed.

Just to be clear though, direct puck fit is best option, when you have it.

Jerry

[cummins2014]

riltri wrote:

MFL wrote:
The B&W turnover ball system would be my choice, if actually using the ball for a heavy gooseneck trailer.

If you just want to fasten an aluminum tubular hitch to it, any of the ball systems above will be solid enough.

I know you dislike/don't want rails. They are a much more solid attachment, than any single point hitch. You would have many more options for a hitch, and if you want an Andersen hitch, the steel onethe steel one that Cummins 2014 has, is a more solid version.

Jerry

I have searched the Anderson site and can not find the steel one mentioned. Can you point me the the right direction? Thanks

https://andersenhitches.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv9uag-3C9AIV_2tvBB1v7QLZEAAYASAAEgLrpPD_BwE

Looks like that didn't work . Just google Andersen Hitches.com it's there , just looked at them , or just google Andersen part # 3200

[riltri]

MFL wrote:
The B&W turnover ball system would be my choice, if actually using the ball for a heavy gooseneck trailer.

If you just want to fasten an aluminum tubular hitch to it, any of the ball systems above will be solid enough.

I know you dislike/don't want rails. They are a much more solid attachment, than any single point hitch. You would have many more options for a hitch, and if you want an Andersen hitch, the steel onethe steel one that Cummins 2014 has, is a more solid version.

Jerry

I have searched the Anderson site and can not find the steel one mentioned. Can you point me the the right direction? Thanks

[IdaD]

MFL wrote:
The B&W turnover ball system would be my choice, if actually using the ball for a heavy gooseneck trailer.

If you just want to fasten an aluminum tubular hitch to it, any of the ball systems above will be solid enough.

I know you dislike/don't want rails. They are a much more solid attachment, than any single point hitch. You would have many more options for a hitch, and if you want an Andersen hitch, the steel one that Cummins 2014 has, is a more solid version.

Jerry

I installed rails and use the steel Anderson hitch and it's a great combo. My father in law hasn't had any issues with his gooseneck model, though. I wouldn't have a problem using either setup. I kind of like the ball style hitch better than the standard fifth wheel setup. I also have a plate I can drop in my rails for standard gooseneck trailers and it works well too.

[4x4ord]

I’ve had the B&W Turnoverball and was impressed but I’d install the factory puck system instead. I think it’s a little cheaper than the B&W and gives you or the next owner the option of using a puck mounted hitch in the future.

[MFL]

The B&W turnover ball system would be my choice, if actually using the ball for a heavy gooseneck trailer.

If you just want to fasten an aluminum tubular hitch to it, any of the ball systems above will be solid enough.

I know you dislike/don't want rails. They are a much more solid attachment, than any single point hitch. You would have many more options for a hitch, and if you want an Andersen hitch, the steel one that Cummins 2014 has, is a more solid version.

Jerry

[Cummins12V98]

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This question was asked over on the TDR. Consensus is that the B&W is a better quality product and the bonus is it's 100% US Made.

FYI the CURT is unfortunately Made in China.

The OP on the TDR ended up buying the B&W.

What makes the B&W a better ball then others may I ask. better steel , better looking ,what possibly makes one ball better over another . Asking out of curiosity , will never be in the market ,but like tires we have been over this time ,and time again .

You are on the TDR, I am sure you read what the owners said.