Anderson Hitch
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Red Bluff, CA
I just put about 2000 miles on my Anderson Hitch and I didn't have any problems with it. I climbed the grape vine on I-5 south ( loved passing the fiats and chevys up the grade) and maneuvered route 138 to Jawbone (very narrow road with 45mph signs). I drove in the sand at jawbone and then down the Tehachapi grade to home on 99. I then went to Bend, Or and climbed the I-5 north corridor and thru Klamath Falls on 97. The Anderson hitch really, really works great and it took me 15 minutes to take it out of the truck and have it hanging in my garage. Highly recommend this product.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 662
From: Sioux Falls Area
I stopped in a local store to ask about weight distributing hitches and saw that they were selling both versions of the Anderson 5th wheel hitches. Talking with the salesman he said that they haven't sold a single 5th wheel plate from any maker since they started carrying the Anderson.
The cost and ease of use makes the traditional style plates impossible to sell.
Just a very good design with a lot of benefits.
The cost and ease of use makes the traditional style plates impossible to sell.
Just a very good design with a lot of benefits.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Interesting. Wonder if that will also be the case with Pullrite now that it is competing with Andersen. Big displays at the local dealerships. Can't miss em. Has me wondering if I should change. Other than the novelty of something new, can't say I need it. Guess it just falls into the "want it" category. 
Steve
Steve
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 9
My Reese 16K adjusts lower than most other traditional hitches and I had it at the lowest setting with the Reese puck to rail adapter to perfectly level my fiver. My only complaint about my rail mounted Andersen is that my fiver is now a little nose high. I have my first tow coming over the next couple of weeks and am looking forward to it. It will be about 2,000 miles.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: Pocatello, Id
Just took my 5er out for a 200 mile round trip. After all the comments I wasn't sure what to expect from the Anderson. I liked the way it felt and hitching too it wasn't bad at all. Once you get the hang of where the truck needs to be its pretty simple. I did have to stop once on the way out of the camp ground to double check that I locked it in place.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: Pocatello, Id
Great idea! Im going to look into doing something like that today.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
I HAVE made the mistake of forgetting to "lock" the handle before leaving on a 200mile trip..... did go over some pretty bumpy roads. Needless to say it never "bounced" high enough to unhook. The Anderson is pretty forgiving. As Maryland does not require "safety chains" on I will not even consider them. I will however - remember to turn the handle to the lock position!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 9
There are four set screws torqued to 40 ft/lbs each that force the cross bolts against the pin. I contacted Andersen because I have the adapter reversed to shorten the pin box and asked if I should increase the torque. They said 40 was fine.
New User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Just got my Anderson on Friday. Installed it yesterday but I haven't hooked up the camper yet. Looks like a pretty sweet setup and it was easy to install, after the first install it's probably a 5 minute deal to take it in and out. Looking forward to giving it a test run.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I regularly tow a rowing shell trailer equipped with a ranch hitch. So lining up the old style Anderson is pretty easy. Except when the wife loads up the back seat to the headliner...
Anderson offered a deal to me for the funnel retrofit. While I seem to be able to line up easily, my wife wants it for when she is "forced" to drive.
Anderson offered a deal to me for the funnel retrofit. While I seem to be able to line up easily, my wife wants it for when she is "forced" to drive.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 662
From: Sioux Falls Area
that's a plan best left for things that you are pretty sure she'll never notice ... a new 5th wheel hitch in the bed probably doesn't qualify under those criteria.might have to give up a "man card" for this kind of infraction
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Well, since this thread started I have been researching and thinking about the use of the Andersen hitch with the new cone style box that they are making and I think you all have convinced me this is the right solution.
My only issue is that the (and may not be an issue at all) Sidewinder I was planning to get with a B&W hitch would give me about a foot more from where the trailer starts to rotate. The Andersen adapter moves the rotation back a bit, which will probably be more than adequate for a short bed truck and a Montana High Country 313RE (new front cover style with trimmed lower corners) to make very sharp turns.
I am still considering an airbag type of pin box, but will hold off on that until I can verify for sure there is little to no clunking and/or chucking.
Thanks for the insight and words of advice. It looks like B&W and Reese just lost a customer.
My only issue is that the (and may not be an issue at all) Sidewinder I was planning to get with a B&W hitch would give me about a foot more from where the trailer starts to rotate. The Andersen adapter moves the rotation back a bit, which will probably be more than adequate for a short bed truck and a Montana High Country 313RE (new front cover style with trimmed lower corners) to make very sharp turns.
I am still considering an airbag type of pin box, but will hold off on that until I can verify for sure there is little to no clunking and/or chucking.
Thanks for the insight and words of advice. It looks like B&W and Reese just lost a customer.