2nd trip with Andersen hitch

[Greywolfdan]

Just finished our 2nd trip with the Andersen hitch. Another short trip, about 160 miles and continue to be wowed! Great hitch so far still impressed. Tundra towing Greywolf 29bh.

[Triguy]

Good to hear! What about it do you like?

[Greywolfdan]

Once you get used to it, hook up and unhook are super fast. Driving down the road very little bouncing or bucking of camper. Sway slowed down dramatically. If a tractor passes or you pass them there is no airflow sway. So far so good.

[avolnek]

Have you had the same rig hooked up with another hitch setup? Just curious if you are able to compare to another? I have debated the Anderson, just not too sure on a 36' trailer...

[Greywolfdan]

Yes, I had a drawtite wd hitch with a curt friction sway control. My wd bars were a little under weight for my tt but performed decent. This system is hands down better. It's rated at 14000 lbs with a 2 5/8 inch hitch. Out total length is 33'11" but 29 foot box. I'm very happy with it.

[avolnek]

How do you know how tight to tighten the chains? Any other thoughts suggestions on it?

[acadianbob]

Part of what you may be experiencing is the increased capacity of the new hitch.

[Greywolfdan]

I followed the directions for the tightening of the chains then test drove, tightened another thread and test drove to fine tune it. You may be right about the difference being from the better hitch rating. It does ride very nice now and at this point would still recommend this hitch.

[avolnek]

My biggest fear with this hitch is the fact that the chains are pulling the truck back and the camper forward. By doing such it is now putting stress onto the locking mechanism for the coupler. I also don't like that by pulling backwards on the TV and forward on the TT at a rate of 2,000LBS per chains as recommended you have 4,000LBS of force here. So if the rolling force of the camper doesn't exceed this amount you are essentially towing the camper via the chains rather than the ball...

If Turbs/OC/Jeeplj are seeing this what are your boys thoughts?

[thebrakeman]

What is the criteria for engaging the system, after the first time?
Typically, once a WDH is set up initially, there is no need to adjust the next time. You simply set it on the same chain link, etc, and you know you have the right amount of WD. That is, the front wheel well will be at or near the unhitch height (and therefore weight).

Is there something on the Anderson system that ensure you have a consistent setup, or do you have to make measurements each time?

[avolnek]

I believe to un hook and re hook you can take tension of the springs and chains by simply raising the tongue of the trailer and releasing the triangular plate off the bottom... so the video shows...

[CHD Dad]

I had near the same setup as you - see my sig line - and I didnt like the Andersen and sold it. A quarter turn of the bushings made a huge difference in ride and I could never get more than 50% of the weight lost back on the front axle. I set mine up on a CAT scale over several passes. In order to get that 50% weight back up I had to compress the bushings to their max, around 3/4", and they were bulging badly. I spoke with Andersen a few times about it and they eventually told me that the setup just wont work for me. Even offered me a partial refund on my purchase but I sold it for more than that.

I will say the ride was nice when dialed in. No grease was great. It was quiet and lightweight. Hookup and unhooking was no faster than a regular setup. Wish it would have worked out but it just didnt for me.

I would be curious what you scale at since we have near twin setups.

[Greywolfdan]

When I hook up I crank the tension chains to 6 threads showing, much like counting links in the chain. I do find the hook up to be a little faster than my old wd hitch but I also had a friction bar which is not needed on the Andersen. I have not put it in a scale but front fender height is unchanged tt attached to tv vs no tt. Steering much improved but the sway and bouncing are virtually gone and that is the biggest plus for me.

[CHD Dad]

That is great that it is working for you. I really wanted to like it but I hated the way the truck drove with a light front end. I tried a few different tweaks and it would not work for me.

[Greywolfdan]

What did you end up going with?

[CHD Dad]

Blue Ox Swaypro. Love it other than the physical weight.