Andersen hitch and fifth wheel connection

[BusterLily]

I just got a 2019 Ram 2500 and had an Andersen hitch installed on a B&W turnover ball. I tow a 2010 Forest River Shockwave toy hauler. I love the design and characteristics of the hitch, but I have one major problem. The landing gear on the fifth wheel must move the ENTIRE length of travel to hook up/ un-hook. I am hitting the stops in both directions because of the amount of travel required to put the ball into/ out of the receiver. In fact, to unhook the first time, I had to put 6 sandbags and 120lbs of free weights on the tailgate to get the rear of the truck low enough to clear the ball. I put the Andersen blocks (the red bucket things) and/or blocks under the landing gear so it doesn't telescope out the whole way (it is about 1/2 way out), but there simply isn't enough travel in the moving mechanical part of the landing legs to hook up or un-hook. How did others resolve this issue? Would airbags help to reduce truck squat, since the truck sags about 3-4" when attached? Any advice? Does anyone else have this truck with similar issues with the Andersen hitch?

Just to clarify, I put blocks under the telescoping portion with the feet firmly on the blocks and the gear fully up, then must raise the trailer the ENTIRE length of the mechanical upper leg movement just to clear the ball by 1/8" to unhook.

[Orlando bull]

Originally Posted by BusterLily

I just got a 2019 Ram 2500 and had an Andersen hitch installed on a B&W turnover ball. I tow a 2010 Forest River Shockwave toy hauler. I love the design and characteristics of the hitch, but I have one major problem. The landing gear on the fifth wheel must move the ENTIRE length of travel to hook up/ un-hook. I am hitting the stops in both directions because of the amount of travel required to put the ball into/ out of the receiver. In fact, to unhook the first time, I had to put 6 sandbags and 120lbs of free weights on the tailgate to get the rear of the truck low enough to clear the ball. I put the Andersen blocks (the red bucket things) and/or blocks under the landing gear so it doesn't telescope out the whole way (it is about 1/2 way out), but there simply isn't enough travel in the moving mechanical part of the landing legs to hook up or un-hook. How did others resolve this issue? Would airbags help to reduce truck squat, since the truck sags about 3-4" when attached? Any advice? Does anyone else have this truck with similar issues with the Andersen hitch?

Just to clarify, I put blocks under the telescoping portion with the feet firmly on the blocks and the gear fully up, then must raise the trailer the ENTIRE length of the mechanical upper leg movement just to clear the ball by 1/8" to unhook.

I have the AUH and a Ram 3500, no issues for me. Is your truck lifted? I assume your rig has the retractable portion of the landing gear with the pins? For me, when hooked to the truck, I pull the pin, let it go all the way to the ground, and lock it in there, then, the jacks don't have to do too much. With a 2500, you're probably really squatted with that rig, so, there is a lot of travel to lift everything up. In any event, if you still don't have enough travel, you could buy a couple of andersen jack blocks. They look like smaller buckets, about 10" tall, so, you could get them under there initially, then it would give you an additional 10" of lift.


https://andersenhitches.com/Products...lock-2pak.aspx

Edit: had another thought... maybe the suspension travel is your real issue, air bags could help your springs not compress so much, reducing the amount that you have to lift from the time the landing gear touches the ground to the time the hitch is free. If the bottom portion of the landing gear is extended further every time, you'll get more lift before maxing things out.

[5picker]

I don't own a Shockwave 5th wheel but I have had many others.

I'm assuming you are not speaking of the Level-Up system when you say landing gear?

On ALL of my 5th wheels, the landing gear extension/travel was at least 12"... some way more.

If your truck squats 3-4" and you have to raise another 3-4" to get off the ball that is only 8" of travel. Are you sure you only have that amount of travel in the landing gear? 3" or so of squat in a truck is normal. Are you hitched unusually high for bed rail clearance?

Are you starting with the landing gear pretty much fully retracted, (I retract mine to within about an inch of full retract so it never binds on the end stop) and then pulling the pins on the telescopic part of the landing gear to allow it to drop to touch whatever you are putting under the landing gear pads?

[KSH]

I agree, make sure your pulling the pin and extending the legs first. Have a 2500, had the Andersen, no problems.

[aceinspp]

I also have the Anderson hitch and a 2500 Ram and no issues. Later RJD

[BusterLily]

I have owned and towed 5th wheels for over 30 years. The problem is that the landing gear in my trailer does not travel enough. I begin with the gear fully retracted but the "feet" touching the blocks, and then raise the trailer. It barely raises enough to hook up. The exact opposite occurs when I unhook. Maybe my landing gear mechanism is broken and not allowing enough travel? Overall, I get about 12" of travel total, but I don't want to hit the stops in both directions.

[CedarCreekWoody]

I was going to suggest the Andersen bucket lifts but it sounds like already have them. I have a 2019 Ram, 4x4, and it is tall. I have an Andersen hitch and it requires a bit more lift than a conventional hitch but I have no issues. I think you need to check your landing gear travel distance or use the extensions more effectively.

[GmaB]

We have a 2019 Rockwood. Tow vehicle is a 2010 F350. We've never had this issue. I sure hope you can get it figured out.

[Rivasiuk]

You can try Timbren SES for the rear and front. It will reduce your sag considerably since they can handle 8600 lbs. Plus they are maintenance free and only work when a load is applied.

Originally Posted by BusterLily

I have owned and towed 5th wheels for over 30 years. The problem is that the landing gear in my trailer does not travel enough. I begin with the gear fully retracted but the "feet" touching the blocks, and then raise the trailer. It barely raises enough to hook up. The exact opposite occurs when I unhook. Maybe my landing gear mechanism is broken and not allowing enough travel? Overall, I get about 12" of travel total, but I don't want to hit the stops in both directions.

[dalford]

How much bed rail to 5th wheel clearance do you have? Is the Andersen ball in the lowest position?

I’ve never not been able to hookup or unhook but i sometimes, based on site angles or in my driveway, have to raise the front to the max. My ball is in the lowest position.

Bags won’t help this situation. The truck needs to jilt until no load to get above ball. Bags may make it worse if it lifts the bed with no load.

I don’t understand why blocks under landing gear do not help? Seems if you add 6” of blocks you would now have 18” of lift vs 12”...

[Electra glide]

I've never had an issue and I used a F250 and a Chevy 2500. I think we need more info about truck and camper? Maybe pictures as well.

[Mtelkman]

There must be more to this story. Using an Anderson Ultimate should only require 3-4" of movement up or down to hitch. Add in a few inches of suspension drop and you are no where near the foot or so of travel available on your jacks.

[dalford]

When you say 12” of total travel is this above and beyond the free fall of your legs? In other words, when you drop the legs until they touch the ground does the landing gear mechanism then lift 12”?

You mentioned pulling 5th wheels for 30 years.. what is different? Different RV, truck or just an Andersen hitch?

[dalford]

Oh by the way... welcome to the forum from the space coast..

[dalford]

The more I think about this I see how you can be ok on lifting by putting blocks under the leg but then can’t lower it enough due to your truck sagging. If, that is the case air bags will probably help since you can add blocks to increase your lift height and the bags will limit the sag so you can get the weight off your landing gear.

How much sag do you have?

[CaptnJohn]

He may have the total hydraulic system without pins and freefall. Best system there is. I have never needed to block my landing gear since I bought a B&W hutch. I had an Anderson and got rid of it quickly, many like them, great but I sure was not one of them.

[BusterLily]

Thanks everyone. I installed Firestone airbags and it helped considerably. Still taking the trailer in for service...landing gear is definitely out of wack since travel is only 10".