Thoughts on Andersen hitch

[Germanrazor]

What are one’s thoughts on a Anderson Ultimate gooseneck hitch system for a fiver?

[Hoopy Frood]

I prefer the B&W hitch myself. It's all personal preference, and a bit of prejudice.

[Mike Clay]

I cannot provide an informed comparison between a traditional fifth wheel hitch and an Andersen. I’ve only used the Andersen. It is very easy to hook up and it is so light that it’s easy to remove. It also makes hooking up on uneven terrain easy. I like mine.

[jkwilson]

I love my Andersen. Easy in and out. Tows great.

[Second Chance]

We towed our first 4-1/2 years (full-time) with an Andersen Ultimate and liked it. They are very quiet and articulate well - but still require a dampened pin box to deal with chucking. We converted to a standard FW hitch (PullRite OE Super 5th) when we traded trucks and couldn't get an adapter for the Andersen in time. I'll have to admit that I now prefer the standard hitch for hitching up - significantly easier to do.

Rob

[Walaby]

I had (and still have actually) a Pullrite automatic slider. Great hitch. Quite heavy. I had a good process for taking it out of bed though.

Decided to give Andersen a try, primarily as I wanted to lighten my truck load, and the Andersen is obviously significantly lighter than the Pullrite.

So far, I prefer the Andersen in terms of hook up, ease of removal, etc. So, just the opposite of Second Chance. But, I do agree with him, you need a dampened pin box to reduce/eliminate chucking. Chucking is bad on poor roads. I still have to get the dampened pinbox.

Mike

[JKellerJr]

We towed our first 4-1/2 years (full-time) with an Andersen Ultimate and liked it. They are very quiet and articulate well - but still require a dampened pin box to deal with chucking. We converted to a standard FW hitch (PullRite OE Super 5th) when we traded trucks and couldn't get an adapter for the Andersen in time. I'll have to admit that I now prefer the standard hitch for hitching up - significantly easier to do.

Rob

I would agree with this. I have a Goosebox which is even a little harder than the Andersen as you cant see the ball without a bed cam but it does have an air bag and shocks absorbers included. My Dad and brother have an Andersen and have pulled with it several times

IMO If you don't need or care about a clean bed then a standard hitch is probably the way to go as its the easiest to hook up. If you want or need an empty bed than the Andersen or Goosebox is the way to go. I'm pretty used to hooking it up so it doesn't bother me anymore but it's definitely not as easy as a standard 5th wheel. For me though, I love just popping out the ball and having a fully clean bed.

Good luck

[JM0397]

I've nothing to compare it with, first rig and first hitch. However, after a year of towing I love the AUH! I can get it in/out in about 5 minutes, and it's easy to store. As part-timers, it's good to be able to easily free up the bed of the truck.
The Solitudes come with a dampened pin box, so I can't speak to the problems without one of those.

Word of warning, call Anderson before you buy one, to ensure you get the correct one. There is the standard and a "new" model, that goes in the 2020+ model trucks with the higher bed rails.

[DaveSewell]

I had (and still have actually) a Pullrite automatic slider. Great hitch. Quite heavy. I had a good process for taking it out of bed though.

Decided to give Andersen a try, primarily as I wanted to lighten my truck load, and the Andersen is obviously significantly lighter than the Pullrite.

So far, I prefer the Andersen in terms of hook up, ease of removal, etc. So, just the opposite of Second Chance. But, I do agree with him, you need a dampened pin box to reduce/eliminate chucking. Chucking is bad on poor roads. I still have to get the dampened pinbox.

Mike

you mentioned a process for removing your Pullrite from the bed of your truck. Please elaborate. I was going to purchase a cherry picker engine crane but decided for once a year in and out I would enlist my two middle aged sons for the job. It'll cost me dinner but a chance to see the grand son. Truck is pretty well useless for 6 months of the year. Needed a sheet of drywall a few months back and had to borrow my kids truck.

[Walaby]

I leave the hitch connected to the king pin. Disconnect the mounting pins from the truck bed. Lift the hitch up with the trailer. Pull truck out. Lower hitch onto a rolling work bench I bought from Home Depot a few years back. Roll it into the garage.

Reverse to connect.

Mike