Andersen pictures, turning with short bed Ford F-350

[Jerryr]

OK, I took some pictures of my 2017 F-350 w/337RSL and Andersen coupler mounted so that the ball is forward of the pin. I can only get about 45 degrees of turning before there is contact with the truck bed side rails. With the coupler mounted where the pin is forward of the ball I get almost 80 degrees and the contact point would not be the bed rails but the rear window.

So there is a trade off either way it is mounted. I prefer the original way I had it where the pin is forward of the ball and I swapped it this afternoon after putting the trailer to bed at the storage facility.

Pictures attached show max turning with pin forward.

[Jerryr]

Jerry,

I have essentially the same rig as you, just a 2016 truck. I initially set the adapter with the ball to the front as I was more concerned about cab clearance than bed rail clearance. You now have me rethinking that decision. Only down side to me of the ball aft arrangement is aligning with the ball to hitch up. I made a simple alignment aid (see photo) that works great; but, won't work if I reverse the adapter. How do you align for hitching?

Also curious is you noticed any change in the ride or motions from the fiver when you reversed the adapter.

Thanks, Bill

Bill,

When I looked is appears that attaching a temp rod where I show it in my attached picture would work pretty well.

[G-Dad47]

Yep - so obvious that I didn't see that.
Thanks,
Bill

[Cate&Rob]

OK, I took some pictures of my 2017 F-350 w/337RSL and Andersen coupler mounted so that the ball is forward of the pin. I can only get about 45 degrees of turning before there is contact with the truck bed side rails. With the coupler mounted where the pin is forward of the ball I get almost 80 degrees and the contact point would not be the bed rails but the rear window.

So there is a trade off either way it is mounted. I prefer the original way I had it were the pin is forward of the ball and I swapped it this afternoon after putting the trailer to bed at the storage facility.

Pictures attached show max turning with pin forward.

Jerry - this is really good first hand data of the two position alternatives available. I don't have an Andersen hitch but have been following the various discussions and the math just never seemed to add up. One way was going to be close to the bed rails and the other had to be close to the cab. 45 degrees without hitting is just not a viable configuration so you must take the other . . . but that will be less than 80 degrees with any amount of upward slope in the truck position.

These pictures should be filed where others can easily find them . . . in the library ?

Have you thought about sending these to Andersen for their comment ?

Rob

[EdMorrison]

OK, I took some pictures of my 2017 F-350 w/337RSL and Andersen coupler mounted so that the ball is forward of the pin. I can only get about 45 degrees of turning before there is contact with the truck bed side rails. With the coupler mounted where the pin is forward of the ball I get almost 80 degrees and the contact point would not be the bed rails but the rear window.

So there is a trade off either way it is mounted. I prefer the original way I had it were the pin is forward of the ball and I swapped it this afternoon after putting the trailer to bed at the storage facility.

Pictures attached show max turning with pin forward.

Have you tried turning your Anderson hitch 180 degrees?

[dirtclod]

OK, I took some pictures of my 2017 F-350 w/337RSL and Andersen coupler mounted so that the ball is forward of the pin. I can only get about 45 degrees of turning before there is contact with the truck bed side rails. With the coupler mounted where the pin is forward of the ball I get almost 80 degrees and the contact point would not be the bed rails but the rear window.

So there is a trade off either way it is mounted. I prefer the original way I had it where the pin is forward of the ball and I swapped it this afternoon after putting the trailer to bed at the storage facility.

Pictures attached show max turning with pin forward.

Why not drop your pin box down to raise front of your trailer and gain clearance over bed rails? The nose will be higher in the front, suspension equalizer will distribute weight evenly on tires. Rembert this hitch was designed to increase distance between nose and back of your cab

[Jerryr]

Why not drop your pin box down to raise front of your trailer and gain clearance over bed rails? The nose will be higher in the front, suspension equalizer will distribute weight evenly on tires. Rembert this hitch was designed to increase distance between nose and back of your cab

There is no issue with clearance between the trailer overhang and bedrails. The issue is that the pin box would hit the side rails in tight turns. Currently the way the pin box is set and with the Andersen ball set to middle height I have 7.5" clearance between the trailer overhang and side rails.

Edit: Never mind. I now see your point. Lowering the pin box would raise the portion of the trailer frame that would contact the bedrails. .

[tvromero]

Jerry,

I see in your pics that your kingpin coupler is orange at the bottom, is that the currently shipping model? Mine is the older style with just the metal box, no lip and on the Anderson site I see one with a lip that is black so what is the story on the orange one?

Thanks,
Tim

[Jerryr]

Tim,

Seems like you have the original version. The black metal funnel was 2 nd version and the Red Plastic is the current version.

If you call Andersen I bet they would send you the red plastic funnel and longer bolts. It allows you to be off 3" and still be able to drop the coupler on the ball without damaging the ball or coupler.

Jerry

[G-Dad47]

Jerry,
Turned my adapter around at attached my hitch aid as you suggested. Works perfectly.
Thanks,
Bill