Andersen Ultimate Hitch.

Rich5117 · 12-01-2017, 08:50 PM

Ok here goes, do not mean to upset anyone. Pulled into a rest stop on I95 above Woodbine GA. A GA trooper was talking to the Owner of a Dodge 3500 pulling a Montana using an Anderson Ultimate Hitch.

The Trooper informed the driver that because the hitch was a ball style hitch, safety chains were needs to allow him to continue. I did not here much of the conversation leading up to the Troopers telling the driver this. I do not know if a citation was given.

I have looked the Anderson hitch up on line and see they do offer safety chains. We are from Pa. Under Title 75 section 4905 subsection d it appears safety chains would be needed in Pa as well when using the Anderson Ultimate hitch.

This is a first for me have seen an Rv pulled over for speeding, No not me, but not for this type of thing. Maybe a heads up is warranted if your using this hitch.

Iwannacamp · 12-01-2017, 09:03 PM

If you read their website I think it says they are not required,but can be used of course with or without could be dictated by the state laws. YNMV

**Mr. Dan** · 12-01-2017, 09:03 PM

We have had more than one thread here discussing whether chains are required with Andersen Ultimate hitches - although not recently. I use an Andersen chain set knowing they probably are required in some states but not in others. I spent the 60 or so dollars to prevent having this discussion with a trooper beside a busy highway.

Cypressloser · 12-01-2017, 09:44 PM

There have been lengthy discussions, as was pointed out, but so far never heard of someone getting in trouble for not having chains.
I do have them because it is such a "wishy washy requirement", but there is no need to buy them from Andersen, any hardware store sells grade 70 chains and eye bolts at a fraction of the price.

FordHauler · 12-01-2017, 10:28 PM

Cypressloser, how did you attach chains to fiver?
Travel safe

**Mr. Dan** · 12-01-2017, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordHauler

Cypressloser, how did you attach chains to fiver?
Travel safe

I assume he attaches the other ends to the loops on the bolts which hold the Andersen connector block to the fiver's kingpin.

Iwannacamp · 12-01-2017, 10:43 PM

Here are the instructions.

https://andersenhitches.com/uploads/...stallation.pdf

Cypressloser · 12-01-2017, 10:43 PM

Yep

slapshot12 · 12-02-2017, 10:55 AM

For those of you with the gooseneck AUH, how did you mount the chains to the truck? The chain loops in the bed are covered by the side hitch supports.

FordHauler · 12-02-2017, 11:06 AM

Iwannacamp, thank you for the link to those instructions.
I am not sure that I will chain up yet, but it is nice to know about the option.
I surely do like my Anderson Ultimate.
Travel safe

FordHauler · 12-02-2017, 11:11 AM

BTW, my bolts do not have the rings to attach chains to, nor does my old truck have the bed attach loops.
I would send a photo along but the fiver is already in Florida and I am back in Kentucky for another week. Off to warmer weather soon.
Travel safe

Electra glide · 12-02-2017, 11:27 AM

I asked Andersen about the chains and this was the response I got a while back.

Will,

Here is what we have found out.

This is kind of a grey area. The ultimate connection was tested as a fifth wheel hitch and approved as a fifth wheel hitch. According to DOT regulations, because it is a fifth wheel hitch, it does not need safety chains.
On conventional gooseneck trailers chains are required due to the latching mechanism on the gooseneck trailer, the long neck of the gooseneck adapter, and because of the increased leverage.
The Andersen Ultimate Connection does not utilize a latch nor does it pivot at the point of the ball. We do utilize a gooseneck ball to secure the fifth wheel hitch into place, which for the Ultimate Connection creates a solid base with no moving points. Our unconventional setup is much like the OEM puck system that is utilized to accept fifth wheel hitches sold in the newer trucks today.
Unfortunately, it is up to the officer to interpret DOT regulations and laws. We have only heard of one case, out of the 35,000 units that we have on the road today, where the DOT officer insisted on having the customer add safety chains to his setup. For this reason, we do recommend and offer safety chains (part # 3230) for our Ultimate Connection.

- thank you for contacting Andersen Hitches.

Please feel free to contact us again if you have further questions.

Cypressloser · 12-02-2017, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshot12

For those of you with the gooseneck AUH, how did you mount the chains to the truck? The chain loops in the bed are covered by the side hitch supports.

That's an interesting point, the aluminum version has a larger footprint than the steal version and Ford, GM and Dodge don't have identical setups either. Trucks with an after market ball usually have the chain loops installed in close proximity that's why it's never been a problem with that particular setup.

slapshot12 · 12-03-2017, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

That's an interesting point, the aluminum version has a larger footprint than the steal version and Ford, GM and Dodge don't have identical setups either. Trucks with an after market ball usually have the chain loops installed in close proximity that's why it's never been a problem with that particular setup.

I looked at it yesterday and think if I cross the chains, they won't tear up the hitch supports too bad if I use the bed mounted hooks. I remember reading somewhere that someone had drilled holes in the hitch base frame, but can't find it again.

doc73 · 12-03-2017, 01:33 PM

By the letter of the law in PA chains would be required.

I do not have one, but as I look at the picture I am confused. The Anderson folks say it is not a gooseneck attachment but uses a gooseball. What confused me is they say it does not pivot on the ball. Where does it pivot? Looking at the picture I cannot see where else it could pivot but the ball.

lesptr · 12-03-2017, 03:37 PM

It does not pivot on the goose neck ball that the hitch mounts to in the bed. It pivots on the Andersen ball.

Cypressloser · 12-03-2017, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshot12

I looked at it yesterday and think if I cross the chains, they won't tear up the hitch supports too bad if I use the bed mounted hooks. I remember reading somewhere that someone had drilled holes in the hitch base frame, but can't find it again.

I can't comment on that idea, but as far as I know safety chains need to be connected to a structural part of the vehicle and I don't think the hitch base would qualify. I could be wrong though.

doc73 · 12-03-2017, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesptr

It does not pivot on the goose neck ball that the hitch mounts to in the bed. It pivots on the Andersen ball.

Ok, so it still pivots on the ball and socket seen at the TOP of the hitch. Did not know it hooked into a goose neck. Thought it was a stand alone hitch.

**Mr. Dan** · 12-03-2017, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc73

Ok, so it still pivots on the ball and socket seen at the TOP of the hitch. Did not know it hooked into a goose neck. Thought it was a stand alone hitch.

There are several attachment methods. Mine sits over and attaches to a B&W Turnover Ball gooseneck ball sticking up through my bed deck. Their "doesn't pivot" comment apparently shouldn't apply to all attachment methods.

18CrewDually · 12-03-2017, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc73

Ok, so it still pivots on the ball and socket seen at the TOP of the hitch. Did not know it hooked into a goose neck. Thought it was a stand alone hitch.

Hey DOC, all they are doing is moving the ball hitch pivot point UP to where a conventional 5th wheel point of contact is.
But since the hitch STILL incorporates a BALL hitch, chains in many states are required.
I would never use an Andersen but definitely recommend chains to anyone that does. I do not need a law to tell me how to be safe.
This picture was a Momentum 5er. Chains anyone?

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