Andersen 3217

[Kretzer]

Hello All

We have ordered a 2021 F350 srw ccsb. As I am very close to my cargo capacity I am wanting to use the Anderson hitch which on the website they refer to the 3217 for the newer trucks. Anyone using the 3217? Would love to get any insights as it is pretty high and the website refers to unnecessary torque or something so wondering if it really is a good option. I am thinking the higher Anderson will allow me to put the coupler forward of the king pin and giving me a little more cab clearance and maybe solving for the bed rail issue that sometimes occurs

I can certainly use the pullrite superglide but I think that will bring me over my cargo capacity by maybe 50 to 100 pounds.

Any insights would certainly appreciate it

 

[JM0397]

We have new everything, including the higher AUH 3217, first tow just yesterday.
It works great, plenty of clearance on the middle setting, might even be able to drop it one.
Simple to install. My only complaint, and this is for GM/Chevy, is the hitch obstructs all 4 factory puck system safety chain mount points, so no I need to figure out where the chains are going to go.
If you don’t have a gooseneck ball yet, consider buying one with the integrated eyeholes for safety chains. Not sure if Ford has same problem, only a few inches one way or the other and the factory holes would be fine.
Otherwise it’s a great option if you want your bed free when not towing.

 

[Kretzer]

We have new everything, including the higher AUH 3217, first tow just yesterday.
It works great, plenty of clearance on the middle setting, might even be able to drop it one.
Simple to install. My only complaint, and this is for GM/Chevy, is the hitch obstructs all 4 factory puck system safety chain mount points, so no I need to figure out where the chains are going to go.
If you don’t have a gooseneck ball yet, consider buying one with the integrated eyeholes for safety chains. Not sure if Ford has same problem, only a few inches one way or the other and the factory holes would be fine.
Otherwise it’s a great option if you want your bed free when not towing.

Thanks Colin

Is you rig level using the hitch?

 

[JM0397]

Thanks Colin

Is you rig level using the hitch?

On the middle of 3 options I think it’s riding a hair high in the nose but that could just be my newbie learning curve. Going to get it on a level surface and check today.
FWIW, I believe I could hitch/unhitch with the tailgate up (not that I will even try) so the higher AUH is doing what it’s supposed to and gives plenty of clearance.
What’s your clearance, Clarance?

 

[Kretzer]

On the middle of 3 options I think it’s riding a hair high in the nose but that could just be my newbie learning curve. Going to get it on a level surface and check today.
FWIW, I believe I could hitch/unhitch with the tailgate up (not that I will even try) so the higher AUH is doing what it’s supposed to and gives plenty of clearance.
What’s your clearance, Clarance?

Well that’s the thing because I don’t have the truck yet it’s on order. Best as I can tell height to the top of the fifth wheel is 66 inches and my bed rails about 59 inches and the truck bed height is about 38 inches so it feels like I need about a 17 or an 18 inch height hitch. Height to pin box plate is about 55” so it seems like I don’t really need the 3217 and the lower one would fit under my a tonneau cover.

What I don’t know is whether I’ll be able to put the coupler behind or in front of the fifth wheel. Given I have a solitude I would really like the clearance with the Coupler in front of the king pin

 

[JM0397]

Well that’s the thing because I don’t have the truck yet it’s on order. Best as I can tell height to the top of the fifth wheel is 66 inches and my bed rails about 59 inches and the truck bed height is about 38 inches so it feels like I need about a 17 or an 18 inch height hitch. Height to pin box plate is about 55” so it seems like I don’t really need the 3217 and the lower one would fit under my a tonneau cover.

What I don’t know is whether I’ll be able to put the coupler behind or in front of the fifth wheel. Given I have a solitude I would really like the clearance with the Coupler in front of the king pin

Maybe wait on the truck.
Also call Anderson support tomorrow - they are helpful and knowledgeable - that’s what I did just to confirm. That’s a $1000 mistake if you get the wrong one!

 

[GunDog]

I have a 2019 F350 SRW and a Solitude 385 GKR. I have the original AUH with a Bakflip bed cover and airlift airbags. I use the middle setting ball height on the AUH. And I have 7 inches of bed rail clearance with no problems turning 80 degrees with the bakflip cover. I think the original AUH will work for you. The AUH web site said you cannot use a bed cover with the new higher AUH. It’s all person choice and you won’t go wrong either way. I love the AUH after towing 6000 miles last year. Best of luck!

 

[GunDog]

PS. My coupler is in front of the king pin.

 

[JM0397]

I have a 2019 F350 SRW and a Solitude 385 GKR. I have the original AUH with a Bakflip bed cover and airlift airbags. I use the middle setting ball height on the AUH. And I have 7 inches of bed rail clearance with no problems turning 80 degrees with the bakflip cover. I think the original AUH will work for you. The AUH web site said you cannot use a bed cover with the new higher AUH. It’s all person choice and you won’t go wrong either way. I love the AUH after towing 6000 miles last year. Best of luck!

Careful making this recommendation. I went so far as to call Anderson to ensure I get the correct hitch. Starting with the 2020 models, the 3217 is the recommended hitch due to several manufacturers increasing the bed height a bit from the 2019 & earlier models. Per Anderson, you are correct for up to 2019, but incorrect for 2020 trucks.

I don't recall who, but there is at least 1 person here on the forum that bought the 3220 hitch and had to then buy a 3217 and try to sell the brand new but unusable 3220 hitch.

 

[Jerryr]

BEWARE!..... THE 2020 Model year recommendation to use the 3217 is only for GM trucks according to the Andersen site, not Ford trucks.

http://download1481.mediafire.com/q...+Wheel+Configuration+Chart+7-2020_Low_Res.pdf

I have a 3220 that I’ve used on my 2017, 2019 and 2020 F350. The truck beds are identical. There is no difference in the 2020 F250 short bed compared to the 2017 and 2019. In fact I transferred the BedRug Bedliner between all 3 trucks and they fit like a glove.

Now Ford did lower the rear suspension on the 2020 model year by about 1-2” with shorter blocks on the rear springs but the bed has exactly the same interior dimensions, so the original 3220 Andersen works fine.

I have 7-1/2” clearance from the top of bed rail to the trailer, with the Andersen set at the middle height.

I have my coupler mounted in the”reverse” position to allow clearance when in sharp turns.

 

[Jerryr]

On my Ford OEM 5th wheel prep kit, I drilled holes in the Andersen hitch, with Andersen’s approval, for the Ford OEM pucks. This also helps to prevent the hitch from rotating.

Here are some pictures.

First picture shows the coupler in the “reverse” position.

Last picture shows ample clearance to bed rails with the 3220 set at middle position and that I can get 75+ degrees of turn with the short bed.

 

[Kretzer]

BEWARE!..... THE 2020 Model year recommendation to use the 3217 is only for GM trucks according to the Andersen site, not Ford trucks.

http://download1481.mediafire.com/q...+Wheel+Configuration+Chart+7-2020_Low_Res.pdf

I have a 3220 that I’ve used on my 2017, 2019 and 2020 F350. The truck beds are identical. There is no difference in the 2020 F250 short bed compared to the 2017 and 2019. In fact I transferred the BedRug Bedliner between all 3 trucks and they fit like a glove.

Now Ford did lower the rear suspension on the 2020 model year by about 1-2” with shorter blocks on the rear springs but the bed has exactly the same interior dimensions, so the original 3220 Andersen works fine.

I have 7-1/2” clearance from the top of bed rail to the trailer, with the Andersen set at the middle height.

I have my coupler mounted in the”reverse” position to allow clearance when in sharp turns.

Thanks Jerryr

When you say reverse is that in front of king pin or behind. I had heard there was bed rail clearance issues when coupler was in front of king pin

 

[Kretzer]

On my Ford OEM 5th wheel prep kit, I drilled holes in the Andersen hitch, with Andersen’s approval, for the Ford OEM pucks. This also helps to prevent the hitch from rotating.

Here are some pictures.

First picture shows the coupler in the “reverse” position.

Last picture shows ample clearance to bed rails with the 3220 set at middle position and that I can get 75+ degrees of turn with the short bed.

I am thinking of getting the chain set where the chains connect to the goose neck ball via a bracket.

 

[Jerryr]

Thanks Jerryr

When you say reverse is that in front of king pin or behind. I had heard there was bed rail clearance issues when coupler was in front of king pin

Yes, behind king pin as in my first photo in my previous posting.

 

[Jerryr]

I am thinking of getting the chain set where the chains connect to the goose neck ball via a bracket.

The chain kit that connects to the goose ball came out after I modified the hitch with holes for the Ford pucks. The kit you referred to is an easy way to connect the chains but it only has a single point of failure if the goose ball comes loose or. breaks free.

 

[JM0397]

The chain kit that connects to the goose ball came out after I modified the hitch with holes for the Ford pucks. The kit you referred to is an easy way to connect the chains but it only has a single point of failure if the goose ball comes loose or. breaks free.

That's my worry, but, sadly, you're awesome modification isn't going to be a good idea on the Chevy. The safety mount points are under the diagonal-triangle piece of the hitch, and I definitely don't want to cut any of that off and weaken the hitch. If they were wider and under the flat rail part, like yours, then we'd be okay. It's annoying - just an inch or two one way or the other and the modification would be not needed or easy to do. It's like the perfect place to not be modifiable!
I am returning my B&W ball and chain mounts and then went ahead and ordered these items from Anderson yesterday. Just going to have to live with the single point of failure for now:
https://shop.andersenhitches.com/collections/ultimate-5th-wheel/products/andersen-bed-shaft
https://shop.andersenhitches.com/co...ti-slip-kit-for-ultimate-5th-wheel-connection
https://shop.andersenhitches.com/co.../ultimate-connection-safety-chains-with-plate

**Note on ordering from Anderson. The message says they are running 4-6 weeks for shipping, due to Covid disruptions but things are shipping at a normal pace. I about had a heart attack with no hitch for that long, but already received confirmation things will be here Friday.

 

[[email protected]]

I've been using an Andersen for about three years and have about 5000 miles on it. No problems. Towing a Solitude 310GK with a RAM 3500. It saves weight the bed and a lot of pain killers for my back when I want to remove it from the bed.

 

[Dangerousdan]

Item to note. Reversing the coupler, You do not gain clearance for 90 degree turns.
Measurements from the pin/ball to the "side" of the RV never changes.
Just the fore and aft when straight.

So, at 90 degree angle, the RV cap will be further fore or aft of the Side rail of the truck. Not tbe truck cab.

 

[kfwbird]

F350 SRW Level with Hitch with Anderson

Thanks Colin

Is you rig level using the hitch?

My 2017 F350 SRW is level with the Anderson hitch. I have 20" wheels with a 29RS. I am very pleased that this worked out!

 

[GaryS1964]

Can't speak from personal experience but my neighbor has that hitch and loves it. Spent 4 months traveling including a couple of months in Alaska rough roads and all. He said it worked great. He really likes the fact he can easily remove it when necessary. His old hitch weighed over 200 lbs.