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Old 11-13-2014, 08:00 PM   #1
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Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel connection

Looking at a new hitch for our 5th wheel. I like the idea of no rails in the bed and saw the Anderson Ultimate on line. I am looking for anyone with experience to comment on it. It looks slick and the local dealer says he is selling a lot of them to folks pulling 5th wheels. Any help would be appreciated.
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Old 11-13-2014, 08:15 PM   #2
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I've never seen the Anderson, but PullRite makes an auto slider that only requires four holes in the bed. Everything can be pulled out so there's nothing left in the bed, except the holes.
I have the PullRite that mounts to Indusry standard rails and the hitch is great. I never have to worry about not sliding the hitch. I don't know if you're interested in or need a slider (6' or 8' bed).
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Old 11-13-2014, 08:21 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by RickeyG View Post
Looking at a new hitch for our 5th wheel. I like the idea of no rails in the bed and saw the Anderson Ultimate on line. I am looking for anyone with experience to comment on it. It looks slick and the local dealer says he is selling a lot of them to folks pulling 5th wheels. Any help would be appreciated.
Yes....... I respectfully suggest you do a search for Ultimate (if you search for AndersEn, be sure to use an 'e', not an 'o') so those of us who have reported won't have to type our answers again. As a matter of fact, here's a thread that might interest you (I see most people spell Andersen with an 'o'... so you have to spell it in a search like people do or you find very little): http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...eel-63270.html
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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Old 11-13-2014, 08:42 PM   #4
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Mr Dan. Nice catch on the spelling mistake. Also thanks for the link to the earlier thread.

This must be why I am a JUNIOR member.
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:00 PM   #5
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Mr Dan. Nice catch on the spelling mistake. Also thanks for the link to the earlier thread.

This must be why I am a JUNIOR member.
Like I implied above, doing searches on a forum is like playing Family Feud - it doesn't matter what is the correct answer to a question... you have to guess what the survey says! Here you have to spell words as they exist in posts regardless of accuracy. If you want to know about the stopping power of trucks on here, you must search for "breaks"!

When I joined this forum, it took me about 4 days to change my newbie status to "Not a JUNIOR Anything!" I didn't think I wanted to be a 67 y-o Junior.

Back to the Ultimate hitch... I have mine on a B&W Turnover Ball hitch. It has a grease-less adapter-to-ball connection... has no "clunk" starting or stopping.
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:03 PM   #6
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Did you check with the manufacturer in regards to warranty status with this type hitch? I believe Andersen says it will not void any warranty.
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:04 PM   #7
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I would not search for "breaks", but for "brakes"
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:07 PM   #8
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This is what I'm using with a B&W turnover gooseneck hitch. Thus far I really like it, solid, easy to hook up, it's light compared to a fifth wheel hitch, we tried and even my wife can muscle it into place if needed.

On the adapter block jack bolts I had to clean the threads and add Loctite, they kept loosening up. Not bad, but it would start clunking.

And I love the truly flat floor it offers me. Lastly, if it's ever needed I can pull a gooseneck trailer. It's never come up, but if it does I'm prepared.
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:12 PM   #9
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I would not search for "breaks", but for "brakes"

So would I, but we'd both miss many of the references to truck/trailer stopping gear since MANY people here spell it "breaks".
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Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:20 PM   #10
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....
On the adapter block jack bolts I had to clean the threads and add Loctite, they kept loosening up. Not bad, but it would start clunking.
....
Do your 4 Allen head set screws stay tight or do they loosen, too?
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:34 PM   #11
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Do your 4 Allen head set screws stay tight or do they loosen, too?
That's what was loosening up. It was good for 150 miles then it would clunk on takeoff. They never loosened enough to allow the block to move around or anything, but enough to make noise.

I called Andersen and they told me to check the threads for lube and sure enough someone had put antiseize on there. So I cleaned things up, a little Loctite and it's been several thousand miles since and they still pass a torque check.

I don't know if the dealer lubed them or if they came lubed from Andersen but it wouldn't hurt to check.
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:44 PM   #12
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That's what was loosening up. It was good for 150 miles then it would clunk on takeoff. They never loosened enough to allow the block to move around or anything, but enough to make noise.

I called Andersen and they told me to check the threads for lube and sure enough someone had put antiseize on there. So I cleaned things up, a little Loctite and it's been several thousand miles since and they still pass a torque check.

I don't know if the dealer lubed them or if they came lubed from Andersen but it wouldn't hurt to check.
If mine are lubed, Andersen did it since I installed my own adapter block before my "pull test" while the dealership boys watched with their mouths hanging open. They had never seen an Andersen Ultimate, either. Another positive thing: Andersen's installation instructions are very well done.
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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Old 11-13-2014, 09:48 PM   #13
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If mine are lubed, Andersen did it since I installed my own adapter block before my "pull test" while the dealership boys watched with their mouths hanging open. They had never seen an Andersen Ultimate, either. Another positive thing: Andersen's installation instructions are very well done.
I had never heard of it until I started talking hitches with my dealer, but I've been very impressed thus far.

One thing I especially love, I can turn a full 90* with a shortbed truck. I did a full U turn with that pig in a three street intersection, no getting out to mess with a slider or anything.
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Old 11-13-2014, 10:16 PM   #14
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I purchased one of these back in May when we bought our fifth wheel. I really like the hitch when pulling the camper and it has plenty of movement front/back - left/right since it uses the ball hitch. I have had the truck and trailer in some camp spots that could have bound up a normal hitch and the Anderson released with no problems. We have pulled close to 1K miles with it so far and my hitch has been great.

The only issue that I have with the hitch is when you hook or unhook the camper you have to run the camper up another 3 inches to clear the ball and with the slow front landing gear, it can take a little bit extra to hitch and unhitched. Normal fifth wheel you just have to take the weight off the truck and you can pull out from under it.

I use it in a Dodge Ram 2500 and it is really nice that after less than 5 minutes of work, the hitch is out and you have the whole bed back.


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Old 11-14-2014, 10:03 AM   #15
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Used it many times and it's a great little hitch. Haven't had any problems with the adapter screws. I do re-torque the front two bolts on the hitch because one always gets loose after the initial set up and driving on it for a couple of miles. After that though everything is good. I definitely recommend the hitch. I can almost line it up first try now and can hitch up with no help.
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Old 11-14-2014, 10:22 AM   #16
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Used it many times and it's a great little hitch. Haven't had any problems with the adapter screws. I do re-torque the front two bolts on the hitch because one always gets loose after the initial set up and driving on it for a couple of miles. After that though everything is good. I definitely recommend the hitch. I can almost line it up first try now and can hitch up with no help.
My process of lining up the ball with the hitch adapter was greatly enhanced when I stopped using my rear view mirror and just started turning my head to view the alignment through the rear window of my crew cab. The hitch ball sets up high enough that I can see it straight-on and don't have to make mental gymnastics adjustments for viewing through a mirror.
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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