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Recently bought this hitch when I replaced the F150 and took it on our first run of just under 800mi round trip. I noticed this wear on the ball when we arrived and looked like more wear on return which didn't seem right since the ball is suppose to be turning with the brake friction being internal as I understand it. Attached pics of coupler as well. I know it's incompatible with some couplers but found nothing indicating I have such coupler. That said, you can see the wear in the couple lock as well. I had a 1/2" drop on nose end which based off their instructions, wasn't bad. Did notice some sway compared to our former WDH (Equalizer) but haven't put on a scale yet. Need some thoughts as I try to determine whether this is defective or something else going on.
TV - 2022 F350 SRW
TT - 2022 Mini Winni 3106BHS, 8800lbs loaded
I used an original model Andersen when we had our previous Jayco 195RB. There was similar wear on the ball and it is due to the pivoting that occurs when you transition from being level such as entering/exiting a parking lot or other uneven surfaces. I ended up putting a small amount of grease on the distinct wear spots (at the time Andersen support said this was OK to do) to help reduce the wear/tear on the ball. You can see the wear patterns both at the top of the ball as well as the bottom where the coupler latch engages. I suspect most of my wear was from transitioning from the yard to the street and back every time I took the camper out as there is a bit of an incline to get to the side of the house where the camper sits.
I was also going to add that I see a similar wear pattern on the top of the ball of my Blue Ox SwayPro with the current camper. I don't see the wear at the bottom from the coupler latch on the Blue Ox and I suspect that is because with the Andersen when you tighten the chains up you are pulling the tongue forward into the back of the ball and that tension tends to keep the pressure on the coupler latch unlike a more traditional hitch.
I have the same wear pattern on my Andersen WDH. I'm hoping that my coupler is tougher than the ball. The ball may be easier to replace than the coupler latch mechanism.
What is everyone's opinion on the Andersen WDH? I was thinking of upgrading to a new WDH and this one is pretty much top of my list. My current WDH is a Camco Recurve R3 and the most generous compliment I can give it is, it would make terrific scrap metal.
What is everyone's opinion on the Andersen WDH? I was thinking of upgrading to a new WDH and this one is pretty much top of my list. My current WDH is a Camco Recurve R3 and the most generous compliment I can give it is, it would make terrific scrap metal.
I have never seen any proof on any forum I am on that the Andersen WDH can get all of the lost weight back on the front axle of the tow vehicle. IMHO, if you have a Super Duty pulling a fairly small camper then you might be OK. I have questions on how well it would work with 1/2 ton truck pulling a big camper.
I have never seen any proof on any forum I am on that the Andersen WDH can get all of the lost weight back on the front axle of the tow vehicle. IMHO, if you have a Super Duty pulling a fairly small camper then you might be OK. I have questions on how well it would work with 1/2 ton truck pulling a big camper.
This is my experience also. Enough weight is returned to the front axle to make for a very good drive.
My Andersen WDH is rated for 16K lbs. My trailer is 11K with a tongue weight up to 1400 lbs. I can't imagine pushing it beyond what I'm using it for. I've had mine for a bit over five years. There have been enough critical parts replaced (under warranty) that cause me to question how robust this solution is.
I'm not looking to replace it. It works well and I'm satisfied. Once installed, the system is easy to use. But I don't know how long it's going to last without continued parts replacements.
My first weight distribution hitch had that wear, when we got our new camper and hitch I started greasing the ball and there is very minimal wear and tear now. Metal on metal is always going to wear without some lubrication.....
My first weight distribution hitch had that wear, when we got our new camper and hitch I started greasing the ball and there is very minimal wear and tear now. Metal on metal is always going to wear without some lubrication.....
Yes, but the Andersen WDH works because there is no lubrication on the ball. The coupler contact with the ball creates enough friction to prevent sway. If you lubricate the ball you defeat the purpose of the design.
I have never seen any proof on any forum I am on that the Andersen WDH can get all of the lost weight back on the front axle of the tow vehicle. IMHO, if you have a Super Duty pulling a fairly small camper then you might be OK. I have questions on how well it would work with 1/2 ton truck pulling a big camper.
I think you're spot on. I have a 250 towing a 6-7k lb camper and it works just fine. My truck will also just straight bumper pull the trailer just fine, but at highway speeds you will get a little sway at times. The Andersen hitch just keeps things a little more stable for highway driving. If you're really trying to transfer weight, I'd stick with torsion bar setups as I do think they do a better job of it.
Originally Posted by HRTKD
Yes, but the Andersen WDH works because there is no lubrication on the ball. The coupler contact with the ball creates enough friction to prevent sway. If you lubricate the ball you defeat the purpose of the design.
I thought it was the material inside the head that reduced sway. There's some sort of brake lining-like material inside the head so as the ball turns due to the chains being attached to the trailer's frame, this material resists the turning motion, and that's what reduces sway. I didn't think it was friction between the ball and the coupler, but I could be wrong. I have a little bit of lubrication on the ball, very slight and it's leftover from when I had grease in the coupler from a past W/D setup.
I thought it was the material inside the head that reduced sway. There's some sort of brake lining-like material inside the head so as the ball turns due to the chains being attached to the trailer's frame, this material resists the turning motion, and that's what reduces sway. I didn't think it was friction between the ball and the coupler, but I could be wrong. I have a little bit of lubrication on the ball, very slight and it's leftover from when I had grease in the coupler from a past W/D setup.
There ball and coupler essentially have to be locked together. The friction material is there to allow the ball/coupler to pivot when you turn. The downside is that the ball will see a good amount of wear and tear. I haven't looked inside my coupler but I worry that it looks just as bad.
Yes, but the Andersen WDH works because there is no lubrication on the ball. The coupler contact with the ball creates enough friction to prevent sway. If you lubricate the ball you defeat the purpose of the design.
So is an Anderson WDH different than any other brand? I was just talking general WDH ball, wasn't aware that an Anderson was any different. If the ball is used some how for sway, which I can't see being the case, then no don't lubricate the ball and disregard my comment. The way my e2 works and every other brand I've seen/used is the sway is controlled by the sway bars which you don't lube....
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