Hitch Falure
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
You are 100% correct ---
This in turn makes it a pretty weak design that is incapable of sudden and unexpected load changes especially, IMO with the aluminum tubing design. If the loads remained static, I wouldn't have a problem - but the loads are dynamic in that they constantly changeThe old steel version would be more forgiving
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
Actually, the coupler appears to be fine. What you are seeing is a plastic cone that helps to guide the hitch onto the ball, if things are not perfectly aligned.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I use a steel version of the AUH that secures itself at all 4 corners via 5th wheel hitch rails mounted to the frame. 10's of thousands of miles and still think it is a great product.
That said, I have seen the aluminum goose ball version being installed in person and I would not feel comfortable with that at all. I will use the steel, rail version of the AUH or go to a B&W traditional hitch.
We tow heavy cross country with our 2000 7.3 using the AUH and really enjoy the smooth and comfortable ride it affords us. It is not for everyone though and that is OK...
That said, I have seen the aluminum goose ball version being installed in person and I would not feel comfortable with that at all. I will use the steel, rail version of the AUH or go to a B&W traditional hitch.
We tow heavy cross country with our 2000 7.3 using the AUH and really enjoy the smooth and comfortable ride it affords us. It is not for everyone though and that is OK...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236
Likes: 1
I use a steel version of the AUH that secures itself at all 4 corners via 5th wheel hitch rails mounted to the frame. 10's of thousands of miles and still think it is a great product.
That said, I have seen the aluminum goose ball version being installed in person and I would not feel comfortable with that at all. I will use the steel, rail version of the AUH or go to a B&W traditional hitch.
We tow heavy cross country with our 2000 7.3 using the AUH and really enjoy the smooth and comfortable ride it affords us. It is not for everyone though and that is OK...
That said, I have seen the aluminum goose ball version being installed in person and I would not feel comfortable with that at all. I will use the steel, rail version of the AUH or go to a B&W traditional hitch.
We tow heavy cross country with our 2000 7.3 using the AUH and really enjoy the smooth and comfortable ride it affords us. It is not for everyone though and that is OK...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 110
From: Lakeland, Fl
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
Guess that piece of manufacturing was because of what happened at the beginning of these posts. I didn't know they came out with that....cool !
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
That kit has been out for years. And actually if you go back to the original posts from nearly 2 years ago you'll see that lockout kit was installed and it did not help, obviously.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236
Likes: 1
If you look closely you will see that the lockout kit is not installed but instead someone made their own pieces of metal with some bolts to act like the kit. So I would not call this hitch failure since the correct kit was not used.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 110
From: Lakeland, Fl
The drawing for the kit is on Andersen's website, it's just 2 bars and 2 bolts, not exactly rocket science.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236
Likes: 1
The important dimension of the height is not included nor is the thickness of the steel. Saying this is a hitch failure would be like saying a failed regular 5th wheel hitch on rails was a hitch failure because some guy tried to hold the hitch to the rail with a piece of threaded rod.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 6
From: Alabama
Y'all can argue back and forth all day and it's likely nobody will change their pre-conceived minds; you can either like it or hate it.
I am one (of many) that have been very satisfied with the switch from conventional to an AUH.
Change is inevitable - I'm looking forward to magnetic coupling. YMMV.
I am one (of many) that have been very satisfied with the switch from conventional to an AUH.
Change is inevitable - I'm looking forward to magnetic coupling. YMMV.